Clan of Xymox formed in Amsterdam in 1981 and have released eighteen studio albums with the most recent being `Exodus` with Ronny Moorings the band’s principal singer/songwriter since the early 1990s.
They have a new EP `Blood of Christ` released this month. The title song is also included on ‘Exodus,’ with the EP also including the brand new ‘You’re The One’ plus six remixes of each track for a total running time of 64 minutes.
`Blood of Christ` also known as the Most Precious Blood, in Christian theology refers to the physical blood actually shed by Jesus Christ primarily on the cross and the salvation which Christianity teaches was accomplished thereby, or the sacramental blood (wine) present in the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper, which some Christian denominations believe to be the same blood of Christ shed on the Cross. The initial track is a dreamlike offering with lyrics that allow the listener to make their own mind up as to whether it`s a tale of faith and redemption or not.
We have six remixes of the title track with the Matte Blvck remix from the San Diego electronic group which gave the number a slightly harder EBM texture, a DSTR DISCO mix from Leipzig elektro-industriallers which has a slight dance like vibe along with an Isaac Howlett version, the singer and songwriter from London`s electronic pop band Empathy Test which has a more cinematic feel. Hørd or Sébastien Carl, the Bordeaux-based musician gives the number a ghostly almost gothic sense whereas Munich`s Rue Oberkampf has a kind of off kilter New Order sensation before it veers towards a more repetitive electronic edge.
The final remix of the track comes from Italian duo Schonwald`s Luca Bandini and Alessandra Gismondi and is a fairly haunting dreamlike submission.
The other track shared is `You`re The One` a dreamy mid paced electronic reaffirmation of passion for the person you feel is your perfect partner and only choice. Again, we have six remixed versions opening with an Eternal Decay version, an industrial / darkwave / synth-pop band from Rome who give the number a rhythmic, faster, and more robust touch. Bellhead, a male-female post-punk duo from Chicago offer an evocative and atmospheric interpretation. Italian industrial dark glam metallers Psycholies create a harder fast paced version while Photic Sonar who appears to be Wolfgang Thums crafts a version that is almost unrecognisable but enthralling, nevertheless.
The penultimate remix comes from Fatal Casualties, Stefan Ljungdahl & Ivan Hirvonen an experimental electro duo who hail from Stockholm, Sweden and share an enticing but slightly disturbing composition. The final mix is a further offering from Photic Sonar who gives the track a strange but compelling overhaul.
`Blood of Christ` is an interesting concept for an extended play and although it`s only two tracks the notion of a variety of remixes of both tracks from numerous electronic outfits for me was a winner. I`m sure that fans of Clan of Xymox will enjoy this and if they aren`t already familiar with the musicians chosen to remix these tracks, may lead them to investigate further.
Rating 8.5/10
