Xela

Xela’s music feels like a slow-motion descent into a beautifully decaying landscape. In the early years, the sound was defined by 'For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights', a masterclass in brittle, melodic IDM that captured the specific loneliness of a cold sunrise. It was music that felt fragile, as if the digital beats might shatter if played too loud. As the project evolved, the light faded, replaced by the deep, ink-black shadows of European horror cinema and occult folklore.

What makes Xela truly distinctive is the way John Twells manipulates texture to evoke dread and wonder simultaneously. There is a tactile quality to the sound, ranging from the dusty crackle of old vinyl to the oppressive weight of distorted drones. Even at his most aggressive, there is a melodic ghost haunting the machine, a remnant of the folk and psych influences that differentiate him from the coldness of standard industrial or noise music.

Newcomers should start with 'For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights' for a more accessible, melodic entry point into his world. For those who prefer the darker, more cinematic side of experimental music, 'In Bocca Al Lupo' offers a heavy, ritualistic experience that feels like a lost soundtrack to a 1970s Italian horror film.