Artcell
Encyclopedia
Artcell is a Bangladesh
i progressive rock
band formed in October 1999. According to The Daily Star
, a leading English national daily, Artcell is "one of the leading rock bands of the country".
, 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 response they got was encouraging, which led to the formation of a band. What started off as an underground band is now one of the most recognized mainstream bands in the Bengali
rock music scene.
The name "Artcell" was decided upon because it was softer sounding than a typical heavy metal name. In Cezanne and Shaju's words:
Onno Shomoy
in 2002. It was both critically and commercially successful. 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.
Anikhet prantor is the longest song of Artcell.
, including Chittagong
, Khulna
, Rajshahi
and Sylhet
, with some tours in India
. In 2009 the band took part in "International Coastal Cleanup 2009", a day-long beach clean-up movement, at the Cox's Bazar
sea beach.
In early 2010 the band travelled to Australia and performed at Belmore Sports Ground
in Sydney on 3 January. 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.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
i progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band formed in October 1999. According to The Daily Star
The Daily Star (Bangladesh)
The Daily Star is the largest circulating English daily newspaper in Bangladesh. Established by Syed Mohammed Ali in 14 January 1991, the newspaper is owned by Mediastar a venture of the Transcom Group, headed by Latifur Rahman...
, a leading English national daily, Artcell is "one of the leading rock bands of the country".
Formation
Prior to forming the band, the four current members were school friends from DhakaDhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, and used to get together to play Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
songs. Eventually Ershad came up with compositions of his own and the group began to play them at shows. The response they got was encouraging, which led to the formation of a band. What started off as an underground band is now one of the most recognized mainstream bands in the Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
rock music scene.
The name "Artcell" was decided upon because it was softer sounding than a typical heavy metal name. In Cezanne and Shaju's words:
Onno Shomoy (1999-2002)
Artcell released its first studio albumStudio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
Onno Shomoy
Onno Shomoy
Onno Shomoy is the debut album released by the Bangladeshi band Artcell in 2002. This album was highly appreciated by heavy metal listeners and Artcell fans.-Track listing:1. Onno Shomoy 2. Bhul Jonmo 3. Poth Chola...
in 2002. It was both critically and commercially successful. The band lost its main songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Rupok to cerebral malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
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 although they did release singles scattered in various albums by other bands or compilation albums. Their second studio album Aniket Prantor came in April 2006. The album was one of the top sellers of the year, and in May the band performed their second solo concert at Dhaka's Bashundhara Convention Centre.Anikhet prantor is the longest song of Artcell.
2007 onwards
Artcell celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 23, 2009 with a live concert entitled "10 Years Of Artcell Insanity" at the Winter Garden, Dhaka Sheraton Hotel. A DVD of the concert was due to be released in 2010. Artcell continue to regularly perform live shows and they have also made many tours out of DhakaDhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, including Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
, Khulna
Khulna
Khulna is the third largest city in Bangladesh. It is located on the banks of the Rupsha and Bhairab rivers in Khulna District. It is the divisional headquarters of Khulna Division and a major industrial and commercial center. It has a seaport named Mongla on its outskirts, 38 km from Khulna...
, Rajshahi
Rajshahi
The city of Rajshahi is the divisional headquarters of Rajshahi division as well as the administrative district that bears its name and is one of the six metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. Often referred to as Silk City and Education City, Rajshahi is located in the north-west of the country and...
and Sylhet
Sylhet
Sylhet , is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. It is the main city of Sylhet Division and Sylhet District, and was granted metropolitan city status in March 2009. Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma Valley and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills...
, with some tours in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In 2009 the band took part in "International Coastal Cleanup 2009", a day-long beach clean-up movement, at the Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazar is a town, a fishing port and district headquarters in Bangladesh. It is known for its wide sandy beach which is the world's longest natural sandy sea beach. It is an unbroken 125 km sandy sea beach with a gentle slope. It is located 150 km south of Chittagong. Cox’s Bazar...
sea beach.
In early 2010 the band travelled to Australia and performed at Belmore Sports Ground
Belmore Sports Ground
Belmore Sports Ground, formerly known as Belmore Oval, is a multi-purpose stadium in Belmore, New South Wales, Australia. The park covers and from 1951 has contained the Belmore Bowling Recreation Club green. It is close to Belmore railway station....
in Sydney on 3 January. 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.
Band members
- George Lincoln D'Costa, Lincoln – Guitars,Vocals
- Ershad Zaman, Ershad - Lead Guitars,Back up vocals
- Saef Al Nazi, Cezanne - Bass,Back up vocals
- Kazi Sajjadul Asheqeen, Shaju – Drums
Compilation albums (contributed singles)
- Odekha Shorgo (Charpotro)
- Shopner Chorus (Projonmo)
- Dukkho Bilash (Anusheelon)
- Opshori (Anusheelon)
- Ashirbad (Din Bodol with Black and Cryptic FateCryptic FateCryptic Fate is a progressive metal band from Bangladesh formed in the early 1990s.Originally influenced by classic 80s metal, the band’s sound has continued to mature and evolve into a unique style that now bears little or no resemblance to the original...
) - 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)
Music videos
- Onno Shomoy
- Olosh Shomoyer Pare
- Bangladesh...Smrity O Amra
- Lin
- Pathor Bagan