With Creatures CLAN OF XYMOX have landed the big thing. An album which has set standards in the scene of Wave/ Gothic. And already with its first tunes it rose up into my list of all time faves.
Once again COX prove that none of their albums sound equal to each other, that they are not afraid to fathom boundaries in all directions and to develop themselves. In this way they stay variable like a chameleon but always surprising and at the same time just CLAN OF XYMOX.
With Creatures the band also have found the way back to the roots and picked up the special sound who has made them so unrivaled in the eighties. Suited in a “modern“ and powerful production this album let Hidden Faces turning pale. And there is another thing making this record so irresistible: despite of its rockin‘ guitar sound and hard electronic tunes Creatures is dark and melancholic than ever before! Also the lyrics are not uninvolved at building up this depressive atmosphere. And ... this album is exquisitely diversified, never committing on a special sound.
Opener Jasmin And Rose firstly surprises with this unique guitar sound Sisters Of Mercy has had and rocks since then all gothic dance temples always and always again. Of course this song is not a clone but in fact a homage to the good ol‘ days heroes, provided with their own and unique touch. While songs like Crucified and Waterfront tend to Electro / EBM, they bring everything to bear of sadness and melancholy they are able to offer. Ballads which really get under your skin. All other tracks are sort of roamer which combine Gothic, Rock, Electro and Wave elements to something special.
Creatures got recorded at White Room Studios under the care of soundwhiz Adrian Hates who has twiddled the knobs. You can surely hear out his influence – especially in the instrumental he has co-programmed – but I think it didn’t do any harm ;) And once again John A. Rivers (e.g. Dead Can Dance) has mixed and mastered this amazing piece of music.
What’s left to say at the end? Creatures is a masterpiece, a milestone and to get rated with 10 points is definitely not enough!