- When
- Oct 2006
This is a release on Type Records, the label I co-founded with John Xela. John was responsible for its musical output; I contributed in the first few years on design and running the label. The catalogue is archived here for posterity.
Boomkat, which stocked the label, still lists this record, filed under Electronic.
Originally from the Black Country, John Twells is now based up north in Manchester — from where he runs his Type imprint and casts out dark, yet never suffocating, compositions under the Xela pseudonym. Featuring a fantastically macabre set of illustrated cover art from Matthew Woodson, 'The Dead Sea' is Xela's ode to all things maritime — with the album's thematic thread detailing a doomed ocean voyage that meets an abrupt end amongst a swarm of malignant zombies.
Drawing on the work of 1970's horror directors and their respective soundtracks, 'The Dead Sea' pays a considerable debt to the likes of Goblin or Fabio Frizzi — albeit frayed with a bloodied disposition that reveals a love of Earth, Circle and Wolf Eyes. Horrifically good!
Made at Type.
Earlier in the catalogue: Svarte Greiner — Knive TYPE016. Later in the catalogue: Grouper — Way Their Crept TYPE020.