Xymox is one of those bands that has shown a lot of creativity in their previous albums and this one seems to take their sound to a level I bet nobody really expected or even imagined. Polygram liked the band, but asked for something more commercial sounding. The band, being pretty much goth, did the best they could and as a result made some of the most intruiging music I have ever heard.

The melodies are very accessible and so is a lot of the music. Many late 80's club fans will get a definite charge out of the music while straight up music fans will appreciate the contemporary feel. The real difference in all this is the singing style that Ronnie and Anke have were still very much post modern. The mix of brooding vocal style and a brighter sounding musical tone give this album a killer feel.

Progressive dance tracks are still here with songs like WRITTEN IN THE STARS and Wonderland. You also get some sweet reflective tracks with PHOENIX OF MY HEART and MARK THE DAYS. Then Anke's lush singing style gives you a whole different feel with SMILE LIKE HEAVEN.

Gothic techno fans will likely not like this album as much as their debut or Twist of Shadows, however those of you who are a little open minded about creative and danceable music, just a little, you will find some great music here.

I'd like to chime in here as well. "Phoenix" is a superb pop-jazz-fusion album, far too joyous for the death-watching crowd that got a stiffy from "Creatures." A beautiful record with wonderful songs. I don't understand why people forced Ronny to go full-on deathwave- CoX always explored deep souls that were quite capable of seeing the beauty in life.

I loved this when it came out, anyone who thinks it sucks did not give it a chance, buy it and appreciate it. nothing sucks about this cd. from start to finish it is awesome.

This is certainly a departure for gothic rock band Xymox, formerly Clan of Xymox. The band trades in their usual gothic sound for something a lot more commercial and trendy. Released in the early 1990's, the album reflects the dance music popular in clubs and on MTV at the time. I almost expect Downtown Julie Brown from Club MTV to come barging in. I enjoy that kind of music but Xymox comes off sounding like the second-rate dance artists of that time. There is not a single memorable song on the album. None of the songs are really that bad. They just don't stand out. For that I give them 3 stars and took away a star for trying to cash in on the trend of that time.

Ah yes the nightmare Ronny Moorings doesn't want to see or hear of again. I can understand - this is dreadful stuff. Well OK I'm being a bit cruel. But the songs sound so tuneless that it's horrible to believe that this is the same band who would make A Day and Your Vice - then again I suppose technically it's not since the band has changed many times. I think this must be the point where Anka moved out and Mojca came in on the next album. But there tends to be a total lack of depth in the music ( I was going to say originality but even at their greatest Xymox were never the most original in terms of music but were enjoyable ).

You probably have to be an utter diehard to enjoy this at all. But then maybe all Xymox fans are a little diehard