Artcell

Artcell
আর্টসেল
Artcell at a live concert
Artcell at a live concert
Background information
OriginDhaka, Bangladesh
Genres
Years active1999–present
Labels
Members
  • George Lincoln D'Costa
  • Kazi Faisal Ahmed
  • Saef Al Nazi Cezanne
  • Kazi Asheqeen Shaju
  • Iqbal Asif Jewel
Past members
  • Ershad Zaman
Websiteartcell.band

Artcell is a Bangladeshi progressive metal band formed in 23 October 1999, by vocalist and riff guitarist George Lincoln D'Costa, lead guitarist Ershad Zaman, bassist Saef Al Nazi Cézanne and drummer Kazi Sajjadul Asheqeen Shaju.[1]

The first song the band composed was ‘অন্য সময় (Onno Shomoy)’. The song set the standard for all the songs yet to come along the way. The first song released by Artcell was ‘Odekha Shorgo’ which was recorded for the great Azam Khan for a mixed album he was planning on. But later it was released on a mixed album called 'Charpotro'. The song ‘Onnoshomoy’ was written by Rumman Ahmed and ‘Odekha Shorgo’ by Rupok. Both Rumman and Rupok were very close friends of the band members; and together they wrote most of the songs for Artcell. During that time songwriter Rupok died from cerebral malaria on 2002. Rupok left when the band was working on their first solo album ‘অন্য সময় (Other Time)’, which was later released in CD's on May 5, 2002 and was dedicated in remembering of Rupok . And after four years of releasing ‘Onno Shomoy’; Artcell came up with their second album 'Oniket Prantor' on 2006 which led them widespread recognition. Due to some personal reasons Shaju and Cezanne left Bangladesh 2011 and are settling at Sydney. But despite their absence, Lincoln and Ershad is carrying on with Artcell with guest members. Due to various unavoidable reasons, then lead guitarist Ershad Zaman was let go off from the band. They pronounced Kazi Faisal Ahmed as their permanent lead guitarist on 11 November 2018.[2] On July 26, 2018 after 12 years since their last album the band announced that they were going to release their third album very soon. After years of various incidents and speculations, their third album 'Otritiyo' was released in late March 2023.

According to The Daily Star, Artcell is one of the leading bands of the country.[3] Their song Oniket Prantor is one of the most iconic band songs in the country.[4]

  1. ^ "Artcell announces 20th anniversary concert". Dhaka Tribune. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Band Review – Artcell". bracnet.net. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  3. ^ Mahmud, Jamil (24 October 2009). "A decade of Rock 'n' Roll". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  4. ^ "Top Ten Bangladeshi Rock Songs". TheTopTens. Retrieved 19 September 2021.