Artist: Clan Of Xymox Album: Hidden Faces

Year: 1997
Duration: 0:0-1

The Hidden Faces of Clan Of Xymox - An In-Depth Review

Gather around, my fellow music enthusiasts, for today we shall delve into the realm of gothic rock with one of its pioneering figures, Clan Of Xymox. Hailing from Holland, the band is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the genre, boasting a career spanning over three decades. In this blog post, we will take a critical look at their eighth album, The Hidden Faces. We shall explore the history of the artist, the music genre of the album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and critique the record overall.

Let us begin with an overview of Clan Of Xymox and their contribution to gothic rock. Formed in 1981 by Ronny Moorings, the band was originally known as Xymox and released their debut album, Subsequent Pleasures, in 1983. They later added the prefix Clan Of to their name and became synonymous with the darkwave subgenre of gothic rock. Their sound was characterized by haunting vocals, atmospheric synths, and driving basslines. Clan Of Xymox has since released over 15 studio albums, each featuring their signature style, and have influenced countless artists in the genre.

Moving on to The Hidden Faces, the album was released in 2017 and features 10 tracks. It opens with the hypnotic Days Of Black, setting the tone for the rest of the record. The album is a perfect blend of old and new with tracks such as Loneliness and Nocturnal that hark back to the band's early sound while Your Kiss and La La Land showcase a more modern approach. The standout track for me is I Want You Now, a beautifully crafted ballad with melancholy lyrics that tug at the heartstrings.

In terms of innovation, Clan Of Xymox experiments with different sounds and elements on The Hidden Faces, keeping their sound fresh. The use of strings on Nocturnal and Loud And Clear adds a layer of elegance to the tracks while the driving beats of I Close My Eyes and Follow Me are sure to get your feet moving. The use of electronic elements on You Don't Know and Set You Free demonstrates the band's willingness to try new things without losing touch with their roots.

Now, on to the criticism. While The Hidden Faces is a solid album, it does fall short in terms of cohesiveness. The tracks seem somewhat disconnected, lacking a sense of flow or transition from one song to the next. The album also features a few filler tracks that are forgettable compared to the standout pieces. Despite these shortcomings, The Hidden Faces is still a great addition to Clan Of Xymox's discography, showcasing their versatility and evolution as a band.

In conclusion, The Hidden Faces by Clan Of Xymox is an album that any fan of gothic rock should check out. It may not be their strongest effort, but it still packs a punch and showcases the band's skill in experimenting with different sounds without losing their signature style. We can see that Clan Of Xymox is still going strong after 30 years in the music industry, proving that their influence on gothic rock is here to stay.