PHNX: A Sonic Alchemy of Shadow and Light

PHNX is a genre-defying trip-hop duo bridging continents and cultures, uniting the Arctic landscapes of Norway with the tropical rhythms of India. Founded in 2020 amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the project was born from the creative fusion of AERIK KYLO, a multilingual rapper and producer from the remote Lofoten Islands, and Vishnu Prakash, an industrial rock-influenced guitarist and producer from Kerala. Together, they craft a soundscape that is dark yet cathartic, introspective yet universal—an evocative collision of trip-hop, dubstep, and poetic storytelling.

​

A Musical and Spiritual Journey

Deeply rooted in personal transformation, PHNX’s music is more than sound—it is a journey of healing, self-discovery, and resilience. Their work is influenced by the legendary trip-hop pioneers of the '90s—Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky—while seamlessly weaving in elements of dubstep, industrial, and spoken-word poetry.

Lyrically, AERIK KYLO channels his own experiences with mental health struggles, drawing from his background in psychology, spirituality, and shadow work. His raw, poetic storytelling resonates as a voice of vulnerability in an often stoic world. Meanwhile, Vishnu Prakash's production layers haunting atmospheres with intricate rhythms, blending the warmth of organic instrumentation with the precision of electronic elements.

​

Breaking Boundaries, Embracing Shadows

PHNX first gained recognition with their 2022 debut single Save Me, a haunting meditation on depression and inner turmoil. The song’s success led to their first EP, The Shadow, which explored themes of childhood abandonment, grief, and suppressed anger. Their latest release, Lose Myself, completes a deeply personal trilogy, embracing self-acceptance and transformation.

Each song is a reflection of lived experience, crafted with the intent to normalize conversations around mental health. Their music is a place where personal pain is acknowledged, expressed, and ultimately, transmuted into art.

​

A Cross-Continental Collaboration

Despite being separated by over 8,000 kilometers, PHNX thrives on its long-distance creative synergy. Their recording process spans multiple locations—Vishnu composing in the lush surroundings of Kerala, AERIK laying down vocals in the icy solitude of Lofoten, and frequent collaborator Aarti Venkat adding ethereal, Hindustani-influenced vocals from Dubai.

The duo embraces technology as a means of artistic expansion, proving that music transcends geographical limitations. Even their visual elements reflect this international exchange—album artwork is hand-drawn in Norway, digitally reimagined in India, and finalized across borders.

​

The Mission: Healing Through Sound

At its core, PHNX is more than a musical act—it is a movement. AERIK KYLO and Vishnu Prakash believe in the transformative power of sound, using music as a vehicle for emotional catharsis and spiritual growth. Their art speaks to those who have walked through darkness, carrying the message that "you are not alone, and you are stronger than you think."

Through evocative storytelling, cinematic soundscapes, and an unfiltered approach to mental health discourse, PHNX continues to carve out a space where vulnerability meets power. Their music invites listeners to not only hear—but to feel, reflect, and ultimately, heal.

​

Listen to PHNX: https://beacons.ai/phnx.triphop