Search - Xymox :: Twist of Shadows

A Lost Masterpiece

SandmanVI | Glen Allen, VA United States | 02/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Xymox' (formerly Clan of Xymox... and they have since returned to the "Clan of" moniker) `Twist of Shadows' is truly one of the lost masterpieces of the late 80's. It was, is and shall forever be a wonderful work of mysterious dark synth music, perfectly balanced halfway between `Substance'-era New Order and The Sisters of Mercy. The album was more electronic than their previous, more-Goth releases and combined ominous sounds with moments that were uplifting and hopeful."Evelyn" opens the album with an orchestral flourish, not unlike the way "Plainsong" opens The Cure's `Disintegration', which evolves into a haunting yet strangely danceable piece about yearning and longing. "Obsession", also excellent, has a similar vibe and format. Next up is the Goth masterpiece "Craving" that could have been ripped straight from the Sisters `Floodland'; it features the kind of juggernaut bass line that a Goth power song should. What follow are 2 ballads, something that Xymox had never done before: "Blind Hearts" is the most pop of anything on the album and "The River" is a minimal number sounding a bit like a clone of Peter Murphy's "My Last Two Weeks". On the 2nd half of the disc you can find "A Million Things" and "In the City", which are both energetic and moody blending synth, bass and wet-effected guitars. "Imagination" may be the best song on the album, yet oddly is the only one where female member Anka Wolbert replaces Ronny Moorings' baritone voice on lead vocals. The programming is very reminiscent of New Order's "True Faith", but the feel is more uplifting and hopeful. The album winds down with the dreamy, atmospheric instrumental "Clementina".I have yet to see the revival of interest that this release deserves. While Clan of Xymox has had a resurgence, this album is deserving of more credit. Perhaps it is seen as the transition to Xymox' weaker years where they tried to go more directly into the pop mainstream - that's a shame."

Too good to describe in words

Pessimystica | Austin, TX | 02/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This late 80's release by captures the turn of the decade great with it's late 80's sound mixed with a foward look into the 90's. Unfortunately, it came out at a time when I was in junior high, & it wasn't so easy to find out more about bands, like you can these days off the internet, & I didn't even find out who did this song until last year. After hearing "Imagination" at a club after a looong absence of not hearing it, I had to get it so I could have that song on cd because I never got it recorded in junior high, being the tape-off-the-radio junkie that I was. This album gives me the same mood that dark "pop" bands like New Order and Depeche Mode do for me...peppy (at times) with a a strange, hard-to-describe darkness under it, but of course, it's a lot better and meaningful than anything labeled "pop" these days could ever be. The band on this album reminds me of a darker Pet Shop boys, although I haven't had a chance to hear their other albums as Clan of Xymox yet (I'll do that eventually). When the 1st minute of "Evelyn", with it's orchestral like beginning, I was totally satisfied, & luckily you can expect the rest of the album to be just as good. For me, it's great to listen to, especially when I'm not in a good mood, because it's like being taken out of reality for almost an hour, and makes me feel better somehow afterward. Although I'm not much into lyrics and what they mean, the lyrics on this album make me listen for once, which few albums do. In comparison sound-wise to other bands other than the ones mentioned already, "Blind Hearts" reminds me of The Fixx (the guitar in "Red Skies to be exact"), & you can't deny the Pink Floyd-like vocals in "Tonight". It's hard to say what songs stand out, because they're all good, but "Imagination" still stands out, even 10 years after I 1st heard it, & "The River" is also great. I got this album out of mere curiousity, & I hate most modern stuff because I've been stuck in the 80's the past couple of years, & this is just a great album anyway, so those are enough reasons to purchase this underrated album by a great, hardly known band."

A gem of that time period

EerieVonEvil | The Rabbit Hole | 11/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This review is coming from someone who really likes punk/old school industrial, but this album is awesome. I like a handful of the Clan's albums but this one is my fav. As 80's as the synths and drums sound with the goth vocals, this disc is streaming with wonderful melody. The songs are catchy and melodic, as well as uplifting sometimes. Its still mostly goth but with a new wave backbone this time around. This album has and will be with me until cd players are obsolete. Note: This album cannot be purchased without Creatures, they go so good together. One of best mellow goth rock albums for sure"