One of the most popular electro-wave bands across several
continents, the Crüxshadows, started in the early 90’s in a
small town in North Florida. Numerous changes over the years have not slowed
down the quartet.
During the recent years they have extensively toured
from coast to coast throughout the USA. The Crüxshadows first toured
Europe in the spring of 2001. Since then, they have played almost 120 gigs in
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, England, Belgium, The Netherlands,
Poland, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Spain.
They have no intention of stopping there, however, and continue to add new
markets every year. At festivals like last year’s Mera Luna in Hildesheim
(Germany), they played in front of 15,000+ people. Their single
“Tears” reached Number 2 in the German Alternative Chart (DAC)
in spring 2002, and since then, another single ("Winterborn") and 2
albums ("Wishfire" and "Ethernaut") have also reached the #2
slot.
In the summer of 2002 they released their 5th full length
recording, "Wishfire". Its unprecedented success in the Gothic-wave
genre paved the way for the EP "Frozen Embers" (the first run was SOLD
OUT two days after release) as well as their highly anticipated new album
"Ethernaut". The former became the best preselling album EVER in the
history of Isotank.com (a popular gothic/industrial/EBM online distributor),
and looks to soon outpace "Wishfire" in a fraction of the time! A blend
of new wave, gothic, and electronica, the band's unique and often catchy songs
have become staples of the darkwave, ebm, and electro-alternative scene. Their
song "Leave Me Alone" was the all time highest charting "goth" song on
mp3.com, having moved into the mainstream top 10 for a short time.
"Eurydice" spent over 2 years in the top 40 New Wave charts of mp3.com.
Their song "Deception", originally part of the Vampire the masquerade-
Music from the Succubus club disc, has been recorded in both English and
German, and has earned the band much attention worldwide. But it is the song
"Marilyn, My Bitterness" that stands as the best known CXS song.
Collaborations with other artists like Apoptygma Berzerk and Fictional round
out a strong club presence.
CXS has never been very well liked by the
critics, their bemoaned success has always been viewed as a bit of an oddity,
despite the loyalty and size of their fanbase. And it is no wonder. At once an
accessible sound AND an aquired taste, the bands uniqueness transcends the
realm of dance or club music. The rich and romantic sound of the electric
violin and the crunchy and sometimes biting playing of the guitars and the
keys, give the Crüxshadows a wide range of musical possibilities. This
combined with the cold digital world produced by Chris Brantley and the moody
voice of frontman, founder and lead singer Rogue, guarantee that this band is
anything but typical. With 6 albums, 3 EPs and numerous sampler contributions,
the Crüxshadows have made themselves synonymous with a new breed of
electro-wave music. Their popularity continues to grow daily- they are already
called "the best live band in Europe today" by the Crazy Clip Show in Hamburg
due to their intense and exhilarating live performances.
If you have an
opportunity to see them live, don't miss it. Their tours (2002-2004) have been
sponsored by XtraX Fashion, Zillo and Orkus, and they continue to make their
presence known. They won the 2001 best ‘revelations’ band award and
have been played in heavy rotation on college and Internet radio. Over their 12
year history, the Crüxshadows have performed with bands like The Cure,
Bjork, Ladytron, Apoptygma Berzerk, VNV Nation, Mesh, Das Ich, Icon of Coil,
Psyche, Clan of Xymox, Project Pitchfork, The Mission, Bella Morte and many
more. With no signs of slowing, expect to see the Cruxshadows plan of world
domination to come to fruition before long!
