Artcell

Artcell is a Bangladeshi progressive metal band formed in October 1999.^[1] According to The Daily Star, a leading English national daily, Artcell is "one of the leading bands of the country".^[2]

Formation

Prior to forming the band, the four current members were school friends from Dhaka, and used to get together to play Metallica songs. Eventually, Ershad came up with compositions of his own and the group began to play them at shows. The positive response they received led them to the formation of a band. What started off as an underground band is now one of the most recognised mainstream bands in the Bengali metal music scene.^[1]

The name "Artcell" was decided upon because it was softer sounding than a typical heavy metal name. In Cézanne and Shaju's words:

Even though we were a heavy metal band when we started, we didn't want a heavy metal name. We wanted a softer or an artistic touch to the heavy metal side. 'Cells where art is produced' – that was pretty much the basic idea behind the name 'Artcell.' Ershad came up with it and we all opted for it.^[1]

Onno Shomoy (1999–2002)

Artcell released its first studio album Onno Shomoy in 2002. It was both critically and commercially successful.^[3] The band lost its main songwriter Rupok to cerebral malaria while working on this album. Onno Shomoy was dedicated to him. One of the songs was titled "Rupok – Ekti Gaan" in his memory.

Aniket Prantor (2002–2006)

After the success of Onno Shomoy, Artcell spent four years carrying out experiments with their music without releasing an album. They did, however, release singles scattered in various albums by other bands or compilation albums. Their second studio album Aniket Prantor was released on April 2006. "Aniket Prantor", the album's namesake, is Artcell's longest song to date, weighing in at 16 minutes and 20 seconds.^[4] The album was one of the top sellers of the year,^[3] and in May the band performed their second solo concert at Dhaka's Bashundhara Convention Centre.^[5]

The Dhaka Sheraton where the "10 Years of Artcell Insanity" concert took place

Ershad with Jewel (Miles) at 10 Years of Artcell Insanity concert

2007–2016

Artcell celebrated its 10th anniversary on 23 October 2009 with a live concert entitled "10 Years of Artcell Insanity" at the Winter Garden, Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.^[2][6][7][8] A DVD of the concert was due to be released in 2010.^[9] Artcell continue to regularly perform live shows and they have also made many tours of Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet, with some tours in India and Sydney, Australia. In 2009 the band took part in the "International Coastal Cleanup 2009", a day-long beach clean-up movement, at the Cox's Bazar sea beach.^[10]

In early 2010, the band travelled to Australia and performed at Belmore Sports Ground in Sydney on 3 January.^[11] The band is due to be one of the country's leading bands to perform at a concert against violence to women in the Banani Army Stadium, Dhaka, in December 2010.^[12]

On 9 January, 2012, Artcell announced the release of their third album and confirmed that it would be released by the end of the year. They posted in their Facebook page: "This is to inform all Artcell fans and friends who have been waiting for our 3rd album, wait just for a few more months and Hopefully you won't be disappointed. In addition Artcell is also getting ready with some special releases...Music, videos and communication contents. So, look forward to a year full of activities. Thank you all again for your love and support. You guys are our true strength. Thank you".

Artcell decided to work on their 3rd album in 2013. They played in "Rocknation Overload" on 19 April 2014 after a break of around 2 years.

Cézanne and Shaju, two of the founding members haven't been active with the band for a long time. The two only work with the band when they come to Bangladesh. The official Artcell website says that both of them have settled in Sydney, Australia for family reasons. Ershad And Lincold are presently running the band themselves with guest members.

In 2016, Artcell released their new music video 'Obimrishshota' from their 3rd to be released album 'Otriteeyo' with the original band lineup. After almost 10 years their new song had been released, the song was written by their new lyricist Ishtiak, one of the most potential writers of his generation. Both Cézanne and Shaju remain in Sydney, but they participated in the album work in a full swing. Cézanne recently said in a interview that, he is planning to be back in country soon.

In the 17 years since it's inception, the band has released only 2 albums. Their 3rd album is scheduled to be released in december, 2016. Initially scheduled for a 2012 release, it is widely speculated that the delay is due to Cézanne and Shaju's inactivity. Besides Ershad & Lincoln's busy schedule to recreate the old vibe of the band through concerts & other activations is a prime cause too.

Band members

• Ershad Zaman, Lead Guitar and Vocals (1999–Present)
• George Lincoln D'Costa, Vocal & Guitar(1999–Present)
• Saef Al Nazi Cézanne – Bass,Back up Vocals(1999–Present)
• Kazi Sajjadul Asheqeen Shaju – Drums(1999–Present).

Lyricist

Artcell's lyric and their intellectual theme has always been a major cause of their immense popularity among the youths. Beside working on music, they have always looked after properly on their writing sector.

• Rupok, a common friend of the band members wrote maximum hits of Artcell in primary era. His premature death due to cerebral malaria left the band in a state of shock, they dedicated their 1st album on Rupak's memory.
• Rumman Ahmed, another common friend of the members took the responsibility of lyrics after Rupak's departure. His lyrics gained a huge popularity among the listeners and Rumman was started counting among the most influencial lyricists of Bangla Band arena. He settled up in Sydney with his family later on, but continues his activity with the band.
• Ishtiak Islam Khan, a junior friend of the members is working on the lyrics of their upcoming third album. He wrote the lyric of 'Obimrrisshota' & was introduced as one of the most prominent writers of the generation by Ershad Zaman in the press conference of the music video release. Ishtiak is a Doctor by profession & he is playing a major role in determining the policy and management protocol of the band at present.
• Band members has written lyrics for the band ocassionaly. Ershad wrote lyrics of 'Utshaber Utshahe', 'Tomake', 'Ei bidaye', Lincoln wrote 'Dukkho Bilash', 'Rahur grash', Cezanne wrote 'Kritrim Manush' & so on.

Touring member

• Reaz(Mechanix) – Drums (2010–Date)
• Methew Guda - Lead Guitar (2012 - 2013)
• Zahin Rashid – Bass (2014–15)
• Niaz Kamran Abir - Drums (2014–15)
• Faisal Iftekher - Bass (2016-Date)

Discography

Studio albums

• Onno Shomoy (2002)
• Oniket Prantor (2006)

Compilation albums (contributed singles)

• Odekha Shorgo (Charpatra)
• Shopner Chorus (Projonmo)
• Dukkho Bilash (Anusheelon)
• Opshori (Anusheelon)
• Ashirbad (Din Bodol with Black and Cryptic Fate)
• Ostitter Dike Pododhonir Shommohon (Agontuk I)
• Chile Kothar Sepai (Agontuk II)
• Bangladesh...Smrity O Amra (Agontuk III)
• Chera Akash (Lokayot)
• Uthsober Uthsahe (Underground)
• Ei Bidaye (Live Now)
• Kandari Hushiar (Rock 303)
• Hunkarer Opekkhay (Gorje utho Bangladesh)
• Karar Oi Louho Kopat (Riotous 14)

Music videos

• Olosh Shomoyer Pare
• Bangladesh...Smriti O Amyra
• Leen
• Pathor Bagan
• Onno Shomoy
• Dhushor Shomoy
• Obimrishshota
• Odekha Shorgo

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Artcell.

• Artcell Official Facebook
• Artcell Official Myspace