Music

Xela — The Dead Sea

Xela — The Dead Sea (TYPE018)

When
Oct 2006
Cover of The Dead Sea by Xela
Artwork: Matthew Woodson, Monika Herodotou

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.

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.

Around the same time

Earlier in music: Mountaineer — When The Air Is Bright They Shine. Later in music: Svarte Greiner — Knive.