Artcell

Artcell is a Bangladeshi progressive metal band formed in October 1999 by vocalist and riff guitarist George Lincoln D'Costa, lead guitarist Ershad Zaman, bassist Saef Al Nazi Cezanne and drummer Kazi Sazzadul Asheqeen Shaju. Since 1999, they have released only two studio albums and also have appeared in some mixed albums. The four original members of the band remained together until Ershad Zaman left the band in 2017 due to his personal disagreement. They pronounced Kazi Faisal Ahmed as their permanent lead guitarist on 11 November 2018.[1] According to The Daily Star, Artcell is one of the leading bands of the country.[2]

Artcell
Artcell at a live concert
Background information
OriginDhaka, Bangladesh
Genres
Years active1999–present
Labels
Associated acts
Members
  • George Lincoln D'costa
  • Kazi Faisal Ahmed
  • Saef Al Nazi Cezanne
  • Kazi Shazzadul Asheqeen Shaju
Past members
  • Ershad Zaman

History

Formation and Early Days (1999-2000)

Prior to forming the band, the four founding 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.

"অন্য সময় (Onno Somoy)" (2000–2002)

Artcell released their first studio album অন্য সময় (Other Time) in 2002 by G-Series. It was both critically and commercially successful.[3] The band lost its main songwriter Rupok to cerebral malaria while working on this album. The album was dedicated to him. One of the songs was titled "রুপক একটি গান (Rupok A Song)" in his memory.

"অনিকেত প্রান্তর (Oniket Prantor)" (2002–2006)

After the success of অন্য সময়, 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 (No man's land)" was released in April 2006. The album was one of the top sellers of the year.[3]

"Aniket Prantor (No man's land)", the album's namesake, is Artcell's longest song to date, at 16 minutes and 21 seconds.[4]

In May the band performed their second solo concert at Dhaka's Bashundhara Convention Centre.[5]

2007-2020
The Dhaka Sheraton, where the "10 Years of Artcell Insanity" concert took place
Ershad with Jewel (Miles) at 10 Years of Artcell Insanity concert

Artcell celebrated its 10th anniversary tour 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]

Artcell continue to regularly perform live shows and 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.[9]

In early 2010, the band travelled to Australia and performed at Belmore Sports Ground in Sydney on 3 January.[10] The band was 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.[11]

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 on 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 worked on their third album in 2013.

They played in "Rocknation Overload" on 19 April 2014 after a break of around two years.

Cézanne and Shaju, two of the founding members, have not been active with the band for a long time. They 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 Lincoln are presently running the band themselves with guest members.

In 2016, Artcell released their new music video "Obimrishshota" from their third album Otriteeyo with the original band lineup. After almost 10 years their new song had been released, written by their new lyricist Ishtiak. Both Cézanne and Shaju remain in Sydney, but they participated in the album work. Cézanne recently said in an interview that he is planning to be back in the country soon.

In the 17 years since its inception, the band has released two albums. Their third album was 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, and to Ershad and Lincoln's busy schedule.

In 2019, Kazi Faisal Ahmed (founder and lead guitarist of Metal Maze) joined Artcell as their permanent lead guitarist and performed in the highly esteemed open air concert "Joy Bangla" Concert. The die hard Artcell fans were very appreciative of his inclusion in the band. Artcell released a heavy sounding track with Kazi Faisal Ahmed playing the solo within a very short time, which was received very warmly as it reminisces the old heavier Artcell style of composition. In 2020, Artcell played 20 years anniversary open air gig in the Expo Zone of International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), which remains a landmark in the Bangladeshi music history till now.

Members

Present members
  • Lincoln De Costa – vocals, guitars (1999-present)
  • Kazi Faisal Ahmed – lead guitars (2018-present)
  • Saef Al Nazi Cezanne – bass (1999-present)
  • Kazi Shazzadul Asheqeen Shaju – drums (1999-present)

Touring members
  • Sheikh Reaz – Drums (2010–present)
  • Niaz Kamran Abir - Drums (2014-2015)
  • Titas Baha – Bass guitars (2018-present)

Discography

Studio albums

Videography

Artcell has done music videos of some of their greatest hit song. They have eight music videos.

  • "অলস সময়ের পাড়ে (Lazy Time Shifts)"
  • "বাংলাদেশ...স্মৃতি ও আমরা (Bangladesh...Memories and Us)"
  • "লীন (Leen)"
  • "পাথর বাগান (Stone Garden)"
  • "অন্য সময় (Other Time)"
  • "ধুসর সময় (Gray Time)"
  • "অবিমৃষ্যতা (Ingenuity)"
  • "অদেখা স্বর্গ (Unseen Heaven)" [13]
gollark: I don't actually know.
gollark: https://minecraft.curseforge.com/projects/Unidict
gollark: I think so. I'll look into it.
gollark: It's less efficient than having a large bunch of machines and splitting the outputs up so they go the right way, but easier.
gollark: So for automatic phytogenic insolator processes (these need phyto-gro) we would make a dedicated induction smelter for it.

References
  1. "Band Review – Artcell". www.bracnet.net. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  2. Mahmud, Jamil (24 October 2009). "A decade of Rock 'n' Roll". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  3. "– Artcell – Heavy metal band from Bangladesh". Tartarean Desire. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  4. Karim, Elita (21 April 2006). "Music to my ears..." Star Weekend Magazine. The Daily Star. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  5. Rahman, Zeeshan B. (18 May 2006). "The week in re(ar)view: Artcell live in concert". Rising Stars. The Daily Star. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  6. Alamgir, Mohiuddin (23 October 2009). "Artcell celebrates its tenth year". Holiday. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  7. "Artcell tribute concert held". Dhaka Mirror. 25 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  8. "Culture News: Artcell celebrates through concert". Dhaka Courier Online. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  9. "AB Bank celebrates 'Int'l Coastal Cleanup-'09'". The Financial Express. Dhaka. 16 August 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  10. "Artcell goes places". Bangla Music. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  11. "UNFPA, BAMBA to host concert". The Financial Express. Dhaka. 29 November 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  12. Alamgir, Rohini (28 July 2005). "Aguntok-3: Third time lucky or unlucky?". The Daily Star.
  13. "Odekha Shorgo Music Video by Artcell". YouTube.
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