From humble origins in a Northern Florida town, the Crüxshadows have risen to become internationally recognized as one of the most popular Darkwave bands of all time. Over the past decade the Crüxshadows tumultuous success among the gothic, ebm, new wave and dark electronic genres has earned them a massive and devoted following. With a constant and ambitious release schedule (as well as a dizzying live engagement schedule), the Crüxshadows have turned conventional wisdom on it's ear and maintained their status amongst the elite bands from the world of modern alternative music.
The Crüxshadows have tirelessly globetrotted on whirlwind tours performing in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Scotland, Ireland, England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland, France, Hungary, The Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Canada, Spain, The United States, to name but a few. Additionally, in the aftermath of the Cold War, the Crüxshadows were one of the first pioneering Western acts to perform in both Romania and Serbia. The Crüxshadows immediate tour plans include South America, Australia and other Asian shows. This is to be followed by two European tours and one North American tour (September 2006- June 2007) coinciding with the release of their new album DreamCypher on January 2, 2007. In recent years the Crüxshadows have enjoyed several alternative chart toppers in Western Europe. There, the band's festival shows have drawn audiences in excess of 18,000 people. This was recently captured on the Crüxshadows debut DVD release Shadowbox, where thousands are seen pressed against the stage. In 2005 the Crüxshadows headlined Bochem Total- a famous German downtown festival, which over 4 days, drew an estimated 950,000 people.
With a blend of new wave, gothic and electronica, the Crüxshadows unique, catchy songs have subsequently become staples of the darkwave, ebm, and electro-alternative scene. Highlights include Leave Me Alone (the all time highest charting "goth" song on the now defunkt mp3.com), Eurydice (it spent over 2 years in the top 10 New Wave charts of mp3.com), Deception (originally part of the Vampire the Masquerade - Music from the Succubus Club compact disc, it has been recorded in both English and German), Winterborn (this Sacrifice) (..2 DAC), Dragonfly (..2 DAC), Tears (..2 DAC), Helen, Return, Resist/r, Foreverlast (..4 DAC), Monsters (..2 DAC) and lastly the legendary Marilyn, My Bitterness (..2 DAC).
The Crüxshadows sound transcends the realm of dance or club music, become something entirely new. One hears the rich, romantic flavor of the electric violin played by the effervescent Rachel McDonnell, complemented by the crunchy, selectively biting guitar lines laid down by George Bikos. Both bring a wide berth of musical possibilities. This is juxtaposed by the cold digital world of electronic textures and synthesis often associated with synth-pop and EBM. Add to that the moody musings of dynamic front man, composer, founder and lead vocalist Rogue, and you have a guarantee that this band is anything but typical.
With over 11 CDs, a DVD, and more compilation appearances than you can count, the Crüxshadows have made themselves synonymous with a new breed of explosive electro-goth music. The Crüxshadows energy and intensity on stage led them to be called "the best live band in Europe today" by the host of Hamburg's popular Crazy Clip Show and their performances have been aired regularly on German national television. If you have an opportunity to see them live, you should not pass it up. Over their lengthy history, the Crüxshadows have shared stages with a wide array of bands including notables such as The Cure, Bjork, Ladytron, Apoptygma Berzerk, Placebo, the Sisters of Mercy, Skinny Puppy, VNV Nation, Mesh, Bad Religion, Clan of Xymox, Project Pitchfork, and many, many more.
In 2005 The Cruxshadows was voted the ..5 best band of the EBM, Darkwave, Gothic and Industrial scene (all time) in a recent international poll hosted by the Wave Gothic Treffen. This and many other laurels are but a shape of things to come.
