CLAN OF XYMOX IN LOVE WE TRUST ALBUM TRISOL RELEASE: AUGUST 28, 2009 REVIEW: DECEMBER 8, 2009

Hearing the name Ronny Moorings mentioned has given me nothing but bad connotations the last decade. His overly gothic imagery has put the often crafty song writing in the background, resulting in scattered, saturated productions. Comparing them to early, more distilled classics like "A Day" has only been painful. Still, maybe "In Love We Trust" can prove me wrong as I have heard a few people raving about it.

There are still tons of recognizable elements in the Xymox cocktail, though. Religious themes, dragging Eldritch-like vocals and distant undergound goth guitar stabs. The difference lies in the songs themselves, as I hear more melody this time from Moorings and his cohorts. An example of this is the retro-electronic "Judas", essentially a pop song dipped in a can of goth and electronics.

The main con with Clan of Xymox does remain the same. The overall sounds and songs are too unfocused and tend to just drag on into gothic oblivion. A couple of bright exceptions are the mentioned "Judas", the glorious title track and the ultracool "Home Sweet Home". They all represent a path I hope Moorings will follow in the future.

NIKLAS FORSBERG