Artcell (or ArtCell) is a progressive metal band of Bangladesh. The band is arguably the first progressive metal band of the country and usually experiments with tunes from other metal genres such as grunge and thrash.

History and formation

The current band members were school friends in Dhaka. Ershad used to be the guitarist of a band named Tantrik back in 1999. Current vocalist, Lincoln, joined Tantrik just before the group disbanded. They were looking for a bassist and a drummer, when through friends, they met Cezanne and Shaju.

The members later renamed their band to Artcell in August 1999 and the band was officially formed in November 1999.

Influence and lyrics

The band cites American metal group, Metallica, as its main influence, although they also name Dream Theater as a very important inspiration. They also occasionally quote Pink Floyd as an influence.

Their lyrics typically highlight anger about social injustice and hypocrisy. Although their first album also had philosophical songs with softer a tone. Like all other groups of the progressive sub-genre, Artcell plays significantly with timing and scale and a few drastic changes in a song is not new to their fans.

Although they have released very heavy suited-for-head-banging titles like Chile KoThar Sephai (Bangla: চিলে কোঠার সেপায়) - a song that incidentally shares name with a famous novel by Akhtaruzzaman Ilias - in general, their songs are targetted for an audience with a more sophisticated sense of music.

Members

The band stands on its four pillars:

• Lincoln - Vocal and rhythm guitar
• Ershad - Lead guitar
• Cezanne - Bass
• Shaju - Drum

From formation, the line up has not changed (till the writing of this article in 2005).

While still a member of Artcell, Cezanne also worked with legendary Bangladeshi metal band, Warfaze, as a part-time, fill-in bassist.

A few years after the band's formation, a tragedy struck it. In 2002, a close friend of the members and the main songwriter, Rupok, passed away after being infected by the fatal disease, cerebral malaria . The incident happened when the band was working on their first solo album, Onno Shomoy, and the album was dedicated to Rupok. The fourth track on this album is titled Rupok - Ekti Gaan, "Rupok - a Song" (রুপক - একটি গান).

Discography

Solo album

• 2002 - Onno Shomoy (অন্য সময়)

Number of tracks - 12; Total length - 65:36; Release - G-Series

Mixed album

• Aguntok I (আগু্ন্তক ১)

Song: Ostitter Dike (অস্তিত্তের দিকে); Track number - 10; Track length - 5:55

• Aguntok II (আগুন্তক ২)

Song - Chile Kothar Shepai (চিলে কোঠার সেপায়); Track number - 2; Track length - 6:48

• Din Bodol (দিন বদল)

Song - Aashirbaad (আশীর্বাদ) - feat Black and Cryptic Fate ; Track number - 1; Track length - 5:40

• Lokayot (লোকায়ত)

Song: Chherha Akash (ছেঁড়া আকাশ); Track number - 3; Track length - 6:02

• Onushilon

Song: Dukkho Bilash (দূঃখ বিলাস); Track number - 4; Track length - 6:40

Song: Opshori (অপসরী); Track number - 10; Track length - 5:33

Trivia

According to a recent interview given to AmaderGaan the band is about to release another solo album later this year (2005).

External links

• Interview to AmaderGaan