Xymox
This atmospheric rock band was formed in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1981. The group's name was taken from the English word zymotic (‘of fermentation’)—‘It has no real significance’, volunteered vocalist Ronny Moerings. The rest of the band comprised Frank Weyzig, Pieter Nooten and Anke Wolbert. After swapping a free record for entrance to a show pairing Dead Can Dance and the Cocteau Twins, they eventually found a deal with parent record label 4AD. This led to the release of A Day and the album CLAN OF XYMOX, the title of which was the name they were previously known as in their native country. Prior to this, they had released a limited edition mini-album, SUBSEQUENT PLEASURES. Moering's romanticism moved from synthesizer dominated landscapes to more melodic terrain as the band progressed, eventually encompassing dance rhythms. They moved from 4AD to Polydor for their third album, TWIST OF SHADOWS, relocating to England in the process. Often dismissed as poor relations to, alternately, the Cure and Depeche Mode, Xymox's introspection has proffered diminishing rewards over recent times.