Xymox

Electronic goth group <a href="spotify:artist:1wHmR7I0UlF58WFQexCPha">Clan of Xymox</a> formed in Nijmegen, Netherlands in 1981, crafting a sound that recalled <a href="spotify:artist:762310PdDnwsDxAQxzQkfX">Depeche Mode</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0yNLKJebCb8Aueb54LYya3">New Order</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:4HxBVyHaUa60eCSsJWxwWR">Sisters of Mercy</a>. The original lineup included Ronny Moorings (guitars, vocals), <a href="spotify:artist:02pXWWQK81BLsBgWt9cVFx">Pieter Nooten</a> (keys), Frank Weyzig (guitar, keys), and Anka Wolbert (bass, vocals) on their 1983 debut EP Subsequent Pleasures. Originally signed to the influential British indie <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%224AD%22">4AD</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1wHmR7I0UlF58WFQexCPha">Clan of Xymox</a>'s blend of icy synthesizers, hard dance beats, and dramatic vocals attracted attention in its early stages, which included a self-titled 1985 debut LP and sophomore follow-up Medusa. After departing from <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%224AD%22">4AD</a>, Moorings -- now the band's sole member -- changed the band's official name to simply Xymox and signed to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Polydor%22">Polydor</a>. He continued releasing albums to a faithful cult audience, starting with 1989's Twist of Shadows. Along with a rotating cast of ever-changing bandmembers, Moorings released a string of albums -- capitalizing on the late-'90s industrial boom and electronica phases -- eventually reverting back to the <a href="spotify:artist:1wHmR7I0UlF58WFQexCPha">Clan of Xymox</a> moniker in 1997. Those late-'90s releases were reissued in 2006 and 2007 on the Gravitator label, with <a href="spotify:artist:1wHmR7I0UlF58WFQexCPha">Clan of Xymox</a>'s 15th studio effort, Matters of Mind, Body and Soul, appearing in 2014. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi