News
1 November 2026 – Howells Complete Fade Into Being With an Ambitious Gothic Alternative Album and an Entire Fictional Universe
By Editorial Team - November 1, 2026
Summary
Calgary gothic-rock outfit Howells release Fade Into Being Pt. 2, concluding a double LP framed within the expansive fictional world of Sylphae.
Key Facts
- Calgary alternative outfit Howells complete two-part conceptual project with 'Fade Into Being Pt. 2'.
- Narrative set within 'Sylphae', an elaborate fictional civilisation spanning videos, visual art, and upcoming literature.
- Produced with Devin Taylor and featuring guest spots from Canadian indie peers Folded Hand, 90's Winona, and Astrology Girl.
- Entities: Howells, Benjamin Howells, Devin Taylor, Sylphae, Folded Hand, 90's Winona, Astrology Girl, YYC Music Awards, Calgary
- Tags: howells, fade-into-being, sylphae, gothic-rock, post-hardcore, shoegaze, alternative-rock, calgary-music
Calgary alternative-rock group Howells have released Fade Into Being Pt. 2, completing an ambitious two-part project that combines gothic emo, post-hardcore, shoegaze and atmospheric alternative rock. The album follows Fade Into Being Pt. 1, released in April, and expands a creative concept that extends well beyond conventional recorded music.
Frontman Benjamin Howells and his collaborators have developed a fictional universe called Sylphae, incorporating interconnected characters, locations and stories into music videos, photography and forthcoming written material. The new release includes collaborations with several musicians from Canada's independent alternative community: Folded Hand appears on "8 Fold Fence", 90's Winona contributes to "94", and Astrology Girl features on "Overflow".
Earlier singles "Broken Roses" and "94" introduced different aspects of the group's musical identity. "Broken Roses" explores grief through atmospheric arrangements, while "94" draws inspiration from the energy of 1990s pop-punk and memories of youth. The album also includes acoustic interpretations of several compositions, providing alternative perspectives on the original material.
Produced with Devin Taylor, Fade Into Being Pt. 2 combines heavier instrumentation with cinematic production and emotionally direct songwriting. Howells have received recognition through nominations at the YYC Music Awards and have developed a dedicated Calgary audience. Explore more cinematic textures in our shoegaze hub and check our latest updates in the news archive.