Tropical Swamp
dhnn
10/04/2025
Noufal’s journey into electronic music began under the alias Alien Hook, diving headfirst into the dense world of psytrance. Influenced by styles like forest and slow poison, he quickly found himself performing across the underground circuit, playing shows in Bangalore and Kodaikanal, with standout gigs like Bohemian Rules marking his rise. But in the middle of this momentum, a serious accident forced a two-year break. That setback would become a turning point—not the end, but a reset. He also formed Reality Fracture, a techno duo with his longtime friend and mentor Brainwrack, blending intricate grooves with cerebral soundscapes.
n 2020, he re-emerged with a new identity and a deeper sense of purpose—this time stepping into the techno realm. Drawn to the hypnotic and groovy undercurrents of the genre, Noufal began experimenting with minimal, dark groove, and acid sounds. His comeback gig at Olive Downtown in Kochi marked the beginning of a new era. Regular appearances followed at key underground events like 12AM Mood, Tech Solution, and Acqualizer Hallday, where he carved a signature sound—intense, moody, and deeply immersive. Influences from Indian techno stalwarts like Ajimon Nair, Uddhav, and Amrit helped shape his vision while keeping it rooted in the local scene.
Beyond the decks, Noufal took things further by launching Xhost in 2021—a record label dedicated to underground techno and psytech. With artists like Brak Rack and Shin on board, the label has become a platform for bold, non-commercial sounds. He also explored conceptual projects like Reality Project, collaborating with a longtime mentor, and helped organize raw, emotion-driven events like Humanity Flow. Backed by a musically inclined family—his father a sound engineer—and a partner who believed in his craft, Noufal’s evolution over the last decade is a testament to consistency, reinvention, and the power of staying underground.
