In the Elder Scrolls lore, the An-Xileel are the ruling faction of the independent state of Argonia (so-called Black Marsh). The An-Xileel rose to prominence in the Oblivion Crisis of 3E 433, resisting the barrage of Daedric forces with the support of Black Marsh’s natives. Spreading the narrative that they were the group responsible for saving Black Marsh, the An-Xileel eradicated Imperial influences to consolidate their power. A central aim of the An-Xileel is to ‘return Argonia to the Argonians’, decolonising Black Marsh from the Empire and Thalmor’s influences. Their foreign policy objectives are modest, seeking to isolate Black Marsh from colonial powers. To this end, the An-Xileel regulate foreign access to Black Marsh and deploy anti-imperial propaganda on their subjects to maintain their allegiance. Crucially – for one cannot fully appreciate this release without knowing this – the An-Xileel divide the ES fanbase. In particular, it is their invasion of Morrowind and treatment of the Dunmer that draw criticism. But in a context of toiling under Dunmer-led oppression for decades, could this retaliation (what do they say about history often rhyming) be blamed?

Now, we turn to An Xileel, the conceptual EP released by Daniel Jakobsson for Pure Space under both his Eastern Distributor and Jörmungandr noms de plume. It is pitched as an escapist project and certainly feels that way from the listener’s perspective. All tracks conjure visions of clandestine gatherings in the Australian bush, emancipated from the sultry four corners of a club.

Pace and groove are generously distributed in ‘Sap Speaker’ and ‘Dam Dweller’. In both tracks, Eastern Distributor layers the frenetic percussion with deep, meditative pads. The effect of this is that, while driving, neither track feels hurried. Sections end naturally, like Jakobsson is executing long, smooth turns on a winding highway. ‘Sand Shaper’, the EP’s halfway point, comes next. This is a slower, slinking number that eases the listener with its percussive polyrhythms. One could easily imagine the An-Xileel playing this in the Uber back from the function.

Enjoyable as the first three tracks are, none of them hold a candle to ‘Root Mender’. There are so many quirks to it: the whipbird sample; the droning incantations and ceremonial grandeur; and the luxuriant, purring sub-bass that makes its way from your ears to your heart before you can say Jörmungandr. The shifts in atmosphere – now ambient, now vigorous, then metallic, then glowing – allow ‘Root Mender’ (and the EP more generally) to stand above the barrage of psytek that has found its way to big sound systems these past few months.

An interesting and final feature of An Xileel to note is its dynamic titles: Sap Speaker, Dam Dweller, Sand Shaper (cue ‘hardly know her jokes’ x5). I find it perfectly fitting for Jakobsson, whose manifold contributions we are better off for: label co-owner, (minutiae) stage builder and – most importantly – broth maker. Whether under Eastern Distributor or Jörmungandr, I look forward to more releases with An Xileel’s ambition and expression.

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Joe Negrine

21 February 2024