A chance meeting with Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance led to an invitation to support that band on a UK tour, and then a recording contract with their record label, 4AD.
Their first two full length albums, self-titled "Clan of Xymox" and "Medusa", comfortably settled Xymox into their own niche of blooming melodics and smooth grey lyrical originality, with Ronny's songwriting coming as a fresh and very welcome abstract to the plastic and packaged synthpop of the late 80s. In 1989, Ronny saw a chance to evolve and left 4AD, releasing Twist of Shadows which proved to be their most complete and mature offering thusfar, and was their most successful yet.
With the next two albums, "Phoenix" and "Metamorphosis", fans were left with something of an out of body experience - as Xymox was sounding nothing like themselves. Metamorphosis was truly that however, its failure created a catalyst for Moorings to jump to yet another label, part ways with his bandmates, and pickup Mojca Zugna on bass. Zok records re-released "Metamorphosis" and a new EP - Headclouds. Moorings took a four year break (he worked on 2 CD-Rom games music projects of Domark ) to introspect and write, and gave fans the wondrous gift that is Hidden Faces, admittedly the logical followup to "Medusa".
After leaving Wing in the early nineties, Xymox became the sole signing to the independent label, Zok Records. They released four recordings, primarily in the dance genre: "Metamorphosis", "Headclouds", one remix CD, and they re-released "Subsequent Pleasures".
In 1997, the band reclaimed their original name, Clan of Xymox, and began the work of reclaiming their original sound and glory. "Hidden Faces", produced by Dave Allen (of Sisters fame) and John Rivers (of Love and Rockets note) hearkened back to the 4AD years, and although it did not completely regain the power of their initial sound ( not intended either), it was clearly the best work they had done since "Medusa". This release was followed by a number of American and European dates, including co-headlining the Zillo and Leipzig festivals in Germany. In relation to these intriguing live shows, Pandemonium records released two singles "Out of the Rain" and "This World" which rose to the top 10 in the German Independent Charts.
In 1999, Clan of Xymox signed on with Metropolis Records, and delivered "Creatures" to a public that had been waiting for the true follow-up to 1985's "Clan of Xymox" album for 14 years. "Creatures" not only captures the sound of their amazing debut (which has also been reissued in 1999 along with "Medusa"), but infuses it with the dark rock and Gothic guitar styles of such masterful bands as Andrew Eldritch's Sisters of Mercy.
2000 marked a first for the Clan of Xymox. After thousands of requests from fans for a live album, Clan of Xymox returned with "Live", a double live CD which featured nineteen tracks and two QuickTime videos. All of the tracks were recorded during their Central and South American tour in 1999, and could almost be considered a best of. A re-issue of the ever increasingly hard to find "Subsequent Pleasures" EP featuring many obscure pre-4AD demos, as well as a new single, "Liberty," followed.
Metropolis's second studio album by the Clan of Xymox was 2001's "Notes from the Underground." It combined haunting yet atmospheric synth lines with dark rhythms, powerful beats and lively guitar strumming to yield a release based on agony and anguish caused by being disconnected from society. A double remix CD was released the year after titled "Remixes from the Underground," featuring the mixing talents of Front 242, Beborn Beton, Iris, Assemblage23 and many more.
Clan of Xymox spent the two years following "Notes from the Underground" Combining elements from their past, present, and future, Clan of Xymox mix haunting and atmospheric synth lines with dark rhythms, powerful beats and lively guitar strumming to yield an album based on agony and anguish caused by being disconnected from society ( as described by musicfolio) to work on their next record, "Farewell," which was released in 2003. "Farewell" yielded club-friendly songs sitting comfortably along side moody atmospheric tracks to create a hybrid which can only remotely be described as Dark Goth Electro. The basic theme that runs through "Farewell" is about leaving everything behind and going away, which can be exhibited through the lyrics that tell the sad and bitter tales of love and relationships.
One year later, the band released their first 'best of' CD simply titled, "The Best of Clan of Xymox." In the words of Ronny Moorings, "…The most difficult task was to pick the best of songs…but with the help of our fans who voted for their favorite songs on-line we finally got the resulting tracks… Whilst listening to the final running order as listed here I just got swept from period to period, remembering all kind of people and situations. I am sure you too will have memories with certain tracks, so all I want to say to you now is: cherish your moments in life!"
For 2006, Clan of Xymox released the "Weak in My Knees" digital single as a precursor to the upcoming full length, "Breaking Point." The new album exhibited a more mature sound than on its predecessors, and leaned more towards dark rock than gothic rock. Subtle keyboards overlaid with guitars and live drum sounds were the focal points of the release. However not to be outdone by the music alone, Ronny Moorings’s deep sensuous vocals accentuated the music and brought forth the deeper meanings of the songs - such as in "Calling You Out," "Eternally" and "We Never Learn."
2008 saw the first (European P.A.L) )release of their first double DVD, including videos,clips , live performances and an interview with Ronny Moorings
2009, before the release of the actual album the band released digital only singles for "Heroes" and "Emily" as teasers. In the band’s twenty fifth year, Clan of Xymox presented "In Love We Trust." The stunning opus adroitly combines the early melancholic 4AD sound of the band with the glimmering synthesizer sounds of the 90s and the power of classic darkwave. Past and present were perfectly combined to showcase the music that has kept Clan of Xymox relevant and popular after all this time.
With this release, Clan of Xymox demonstratively returned to its roots while nevertheless remaining up to date. After spending the past two and a half decades forging a path for others to follow in the dark music scene, "In Love We Trust" proves above all that their creative potential is a long way from coming to an end.
Clan of Xymox has become now - a velvet lined room smelling of roses and clove, the distant chime of crystal engaging crystal, and the slow lilting line of smoke forming nameless shapes as it draws you ever in.
2011 " Darkest Hour" was released, according to poponaut : Ronny Moorings’ passion for huge, sensual melodies, mystical sound experiments and seductive dance rhythms is as unbroken as it ever was. Melancholy, energy and determination rule “Darkest Hour”, a record whose tracks “My Reality” or the hypnotic club hit “Delete” will work on any dancefloor, but that also delivers gripping entertainment and world-class Goth hymns with “Dream Of Fools” or the breathtaking “Wake Up My Darling”. Crowned, as usual, with Ronny’s unmistakable vocals instilling the necessary dark passion into his Dark Wave elegies.
End December 2011 (USA) and early 2012 in Europe The track "In Your Arms Again" from the lastest album " Darkest Hour" was included in the David Fincher's film "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" starring Daniel Craig & Rooney Mara, a remake of the book by Stieg Larsson.
October 2012 saw the release of “Kindred Spirits”, true to its title, Ronny Moorings did not exorcise a new CLAN OF XYMOX studio album, but assembled an intimate, strongly biographic collection of cover songs. A time travel back to the artists’ musical idols, influences and soul mates.
In 2014 a brand new studio album named" Matters Of Mind, Body And Soul", was released. The album explores COX's signature, melancholic sound, as evidenced by standout tracks such as “I Close My Eyes” and “Love'S On Diet" or the dark brooding " The Climate Changed".
CLAN OF XYMOX pull out all the stops and deliver energy, ideas and creativity as if they were about to release their debut album – and not their 15th studio work. „She is Falling in Love“ shines with lost melodies and vibrant electronics as if Ronny Moorings made a song with DEPECHE MODE, „Kiss and Tell“ shyly kisses the Wave era on the cheek before daring a fatal love affair with classic Goth dreaming.
„Matters of Mind, Body and Soul“ melts contrasts like these into a coherent, harmonious, passionate album that would have become one of the genre's biggest milestones 20 years ago. Yet, thanks to Ronny Moorings ingenious craft, even today this album manages to reach a goal that has long become unreachable for other contestants of this art form: To deliver a timeless, deeply emotional Gothic record.
A worldwide tour followed in 2014 including Australia as well.
In September 2014 , 3 tracks of Clan Of Xymox's first Debut album were taken for a USA released movie " The Guest". A soundtrack album will also be released. Among the other artists like Sisters Of Mercy, Love and Rockets & Front 242. The Guest (2014) is an American psychological thriller film, directed and edited by Adam Wingard, and written by Simon Barrett. The film stars Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer and Lance Reddick.
Clan Of Xymox keeps touring in 2015 and has world wide tour dates announced till the end of 2015 on their home page.
Current live lineup:
Ronny Moorings - singer and single songwriter for the band, programming, words, guitar, piano, synths, keyboards, vocals
Mojca Zugna - bass, vocals
Sean Goebel - keyboards
Mario Usai - guitar
Discography (as Clan of Xymox):
1985 - Clan Of Xymox
1986 - Medusa
1997 - Hidden Faces
1999 - Creatures
2000 - Live
2001 - Subsequent Pleasures (reissue only CD)
2001 - Notes From The Underground
2001 - John Peel Sessions
2002 - Remixes From The Underground
2003 - Farewell
2004 - The Best Of Clan Of Xymox
2006 - Breaking Point
2008 - Visible DVD
2009 - In Love We Trust
2011 - Darkest Hour
2012 - Live at the Castle Party (Audio CD& DVD) Special Issue
2012 - Kindred Spirits (cover versions)
2014 - Matters Of Mind, Body And Soul
2017 - Days of Black
2020 - Spider on the Wall
2021 - Limbo
As Xymox:
1983 - Subsequent Pleasures (Vinyl, 12" Limited to 500 copies)
1989 - Twist Of Shadows
1991 - Phoenix
1992 - Metamorphosis
1993 - Headclouds
1994 - Remix (bootleg)
Back Door
Clan of Xymox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I CROUCHED IN WASTED YEARS
I LINGERED, I CAN'T GET THROUGH
DAZZLED BETWEEN FAR AND NEAR
LIKE THE ELEGIES RELATE TO DAYS BEYOND RECALL
I LINGERED IN MANY MEMORIES
AND AGAIN I STUMBLED THROUGH THE BACK DOOR
I FEEL MY REPRESSION
I CAN'T GO ON
AND AGAIN I AM FALLING BACKWARDS
TOMORROW I WILL BE HERE AGAIN
A SILENT MUTE OF A BLACK DESIRE
TOMORROW I WILL BE HERE AGAIN
TOMORROW I'L BE HERE AGAIN
I AM TIRED OF TEARS AND LAUGHTER
OR WHAT MAY COME HEREAFTER
I AM WEARY OF DAYS AND HOURS
DESIRES, DREAMS AND POWERS
ALTHOUGH IT MAKES ME WEEP
IT IS YOU
I WANNA KEEP
The lyrics to Clan of Xymox’s song Back Door portray the feeling of being stuck in a never-ending cycle. The singer describes being shrouded in darkness and crouching in wasted years, unable to move forward. They are dazzled between far and near, caught between the present and the past. Memories mingle with elegies, creating a sense of nostalgia and sorrow for what has been lost.
Throughout the lyrics, there is a sense of being trapped, of being unable to escape from the past. The singer stumbles through the back door, seeing a misty shadow of someone they once knew. This encounter only serves to make the singer feel more repressed, unable to move on. They fall backwards, slipping further into the cycle of memories and regrets. The repetition of “tomorrow I will be here again” only reinforces the singer’s sense of being stuck in time.
Despite the melancholic overtones of the song, there is also a sense of desire and longing. The singer is weary of days and hours, but they are not ready to give up on what they want. The final lines “although it makes me weep / it is you / I wanna keep” reveal that there is something or someone that the singer is holding onto, even if it causes them pain.
Line by Line Meaning
I AM SHROUDED IN DARKNESS
I am surrounded by negativity and sorrow in my life.
I CROUCHED IN WASTED YEARS
I spent too much time dwelling on the past and now I regret it.
I LINGERED, I CAN'T GET THROUGH
I am stuck in a rut and can't seem to move forward with my life.
DAZZLED BETWEEN FAR AND NEAR
I am conflicted about my future and what I want to achieve in life.
LIKE THE ELEGIES RELATE TO DAYS BEYOND RECALL
My thoughts are consumed by memories of the past and what could have been.
I LINGERED IN MANY MEMORIES
I am haunted by the past and can't seem to let go.
AND AGAIN I STUMBLED THROUGH THE BACK DOOR
I keep finding myself in the same negative situations and can't seem to break free.
SEEING YOU , A MISTY SHADOW
You are a distant memory that I can't seem to forget.
I FEEL MY REPRESSION
I am suffocated by my own emotions and can't seem to escape them.
I CAN'T GO ON
I am overwhelmed by my problems and can't seem to find a solution.
AND AGAIN I AM FALLING BACKWARDS
I keep reverting back to old habits and patterns of behavior.
TOMORROW I WILL BE HERE AGAIN
I am trapped in a cycle and tomorrow will be no different than today.
A SILENT MUTE OF A BLACK DESIRE
My desires are consuming me and I can't seem to express them.
TOMORROW I WILL BE HERE AGAIN
I am resigned to my fate and cannot escape my current situation.
TOMORROW I'L BE HERE AGAIN
My life is on an endless loop and I can't seem to break free from it.
I AM TIRED OF TEARS AND LAUGHTER
I am exhausted from the ups and downs of life and just want some stability.
OR WHAT MAY COME HEREAFTER
I am afraid of what the future holds and the unknown.
I AM WEARY OF DAYS AND HOURS
I am tired of the monotony of my life and the passing of time.
DESIRES, DREAMS AND POWERS
My desires and dreams are unattainable and I feel powerless to change my situation.
ALTHOUGH IT MAKES ME WEEP
My emotions are overwhelming and bring me to tears.
IT IS YOU
Despite all of my problems and negative emotions, you are the one thing that brings me some solace and stability in life.
I WANNA KEEP
I want to hold onto you as a source of comfort in my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANKA WOLBERT, PIETER NOOTEN, RONNIE MOERINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BaronAnselme69
I am shrouded in darkness
I crouched in wasted years
I lingered, I can't get through
Dazzled between far and near
Like the elegies relate to days beyond recall
I lingered in many memories
And again I stumbled through the back door
Seeing you, a misty shadow
I feel my repression, I can't go on
And again I am falling backwards
Tomorrow I will be here again
A silent mute of a black desire
Tomorrow I will be here again
Tomorrow I'll be here again
Be here again, be here again
I am tired of tears and laughter
Or what may come hereafter
I am weary of days and hours
Desires, dreams and powers
Although it makes me weep
It is you, I wanna keep
@hippiefreak66
I love how this was shot in 2005 and has a pure 1980s look and vibe.
@functio1
Apart from those boots...
@chaosstar_ur
Yes what a great time 🖤
@davegunstone
Clan of Xymox, one of the most under rated bands ever. They should have been huge. Love this track almost as much as A DAY.
@happymethehappyone8300
My 2 favorites by them.
@WS102
Clan of Xymox. One of the best bands ever. They are from Holland and currently play a lot throughout Europe and South America. The last time I remember them playing in the US was back in 86 or 87. Old school cool.
@Styxhexenhammer666
tfw someone not associated with a band makes a music video better than 99% of what's on TV today.
Bravo, my friend.
@TheRosePhantom
Thank you. Please check out my own music & music videos.
@Styxhexenhammer666
Your musical mixes are pure win. You have my bow.
@TheRosePhantom
+Styxhexenhammer666 Thanks! Stay tuned for new music! Check out therosephantom.com for all my musical works.