THE CRÜXSHADOWS
ETHERNAUT
ALBUM DANCING FERRET RELEASE: NOVEMBER 11, 2003 REVIEW: JANUARY 5, 2004

The Crüxshadows have been around since the early 90’s but it wasn’t until the summer of 2001 that the US band went on tour in Europe for the first time and really won the hearts of the European audiences. In November 2003, they released their sixth full-length album, “Ethernaut”. After five weeks listed, it reached a third place on the German chart for alternative music, DAC, and The Crüxshadows are on the cover of the latest issue of German magazine Zillo.
I think that the album is filled with cute little songs that makes me happy. The record is built upon the theme of the Trojan Wars of ancient Greece. The record contains a lot of goodies, but if I have to choose a favourite it is the song “Winter Born (This Sacrifice)”, which also is the song with best potential to become a dance-floor hit. The only negative remark I have to do is that this album sometimes feels as if it consists of many little pieces which are difficult to consider a unit.
The last original member of the band, the lead singer Rogue, has a personal voice with a lot to give and the lyrics are well-written and worth listening to. The Crüxshadows have really succeeded to get the best out of both good old goth (ie not another Sisters-rip) and electro music. And of course, the guitar, electric violin and female choirs adds some extra spice to an already good concept.

KARIN MARTINSSON