"Onnoshomoy" is the debut album of arguably the first ever progressive metal band of Bangladesh, Artcell. It was released in 2002 from G-Series in both Jewel Case CD and Cassette formats. Later on, it also received a paperback received following high demand. The album was the result of Artcell new found glory
and popularity in various Band Mixed Albums where they had contributed with great singles. Following that tone, Artcell came with a bang to let
everyone know that they are worth it, and they really were. Onnoshomoy
was a massive hit spinning off great songs such as "Onnoshomoy", "Bhul Jonmo", "Poth
Chola", "Rahur Grash", "Itihash [Shomoy/Oddrishto]" etc. The Album was
dedicated to their long term friend Rupok, who had died an untimely
death 3 years before the release of the album. Onnoshomoy paved the way
for the progressive metal giant in the country's band music scenario. The album also garnered the band a cult following, only to be cemented further in the legacy of rock by their sophomore release, Oniket Prantor, in 2006.
Consisting of Lincoln, Ershad, Shaju and Cezanne, Artcell was formed right before the millennium from the ashes of a band called "Tantrik". Ershad used to be the guitarist of Tantrik in 1999, where Lincoln had joined the band right before the group disbanded. At that time, the duo were looking for a bassist and a drummer, when through friends, they met Cezanne and Shaju. Cezanne used to study in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) during that time. The members later renamed their band to "Artcell" in August of 1999. But they officially formed the band later in November 1999. The band also part of what they called, a "family", which consisted of their friends Rupok and Rumman, their key lyricists. Lincoln actually met Rupok during their first year at Notre Dame College, Dhaka where they instantly clicked and Rupok started taking guitar lessons from Lincoln and shared his amazing lyrics.
Artcell led the young generation of music lovers from Dhaka City in particular, who were thus far accustomed to only English Rock/Metal and were not enthused by the over-saturated domestic scene of commercial pop music, which until the late '90s, was the only genre of modern mainstream music in Bangladesh. Artcell however, experimented with tunes from various metal genres and produced a genre of Bangla music that was quite unheard of at that time. They also started performing in "underground" rock concerts, many of which were organized by various early online forums and IRC groups (such as BDPunks, AmaderGaan.com, AlterBD etc.). Artcell then got their first big break when they released their first ever single, "Odekha Shorgo" in the first of many of legendary band mixed album compilations of Isha Khan Durey called "Charpotro" in 2000. They garnered a lot of support and recognition for their musical style and this followed with "Dukkho Bilash" in the next compilation "Onushilon" in 2001 and a year later with "Shopner Chorus" in the next compilation "Projonmo" in 2002. It was also in 2002, where they received a record deal from G-Series for their much awaited debut album, Onnoshomoy with the support of Aurthohin, Miles, Warfaze, Cryptic Fate, Black and a lot of other bands.
The key concept behind Onnoshomoy however, was Rupok's untimely demise in 1999. Rupok was diagnosed with Celebral Malaria and he unfortunately left everyone at a very early age. This left the band members and the families heartbroken, but Rupok's lyrics were extraordinary. Artcell decided they would dedicated Onnoshomoy to Rupok, and Rumman, Ershad, Cezanne, Lincoln and Shaju based the other songs in the album around him. Interestingly, "Poth Chola", the biggest hit of the album was the last track written by Rupok and he passed away leaving the song unfinished. Rumman then completed the song and this second part consists of the words and messages the band had for their lost friend. The band also dedicated a song completely to Rupok with "Rupok (Ekti Gaan)". The song "Itihash" consists of two parts "Shomoy" and "Oddrishto" written by Rumman and Cezanne respectively. "Rahur Grash" was written by Lincoln, whereas "Krittim Manush" was written by Cezanne.
The lineup of Onnoshomoy consisted of the following:
George Lincoln D' Costa: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Ershad Zaman: Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar
Saef Al Nazi Cezanne: Backing Vocals, Bass
Kazi Sazzadul Ashequin Shaju: Percussion
Guest Appearances:
Iqbal Asif Jewel: CD Mastering; Keyboards on "Obosh Onubhutir Deyal".
Isha Khan Durey: Recorded, Mixed and Mastering of Cassette at Soundgarden Studio.
The album artwork concept brought upon by Rumman and the cover artwork and album design done by Humayun Kabir of Shomoloy. Photography was done by Andrew Biraz.
The album is available as an Audio Jukebox on G-Series' official YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZvKjEV0N6k
Track List:
01. Onno Shomoy
02. Bhul Jonmo
03. Poth Chola
04. Rupok (Ekti Gaan)
05. Mukhosh
06. Rahur Grash
07. Itihash (Shomoy/Oddrishto)
08. Krittim Manush
09. Obosh Onubhutir Deyal
10. Olosh Shomoyer Parey
The Jewel Case edition scans were at first provided generously by Rifat Bin Islam, which was used to prepare this blog post.
[click on images to view larger sizes]
Consisting of Lincoln, Ershad, Shaju and Cezanne, Artcell was formed right before the millennium from the ashes of a band called "Tantrik". Ershad used to be the guitarist of Tantrik in 1999, where Lincoln had joined the band right before the group disbanded. At that time, the duo were looking for a bassist and a drummer, when through friends, they met Cezanne and Shaju. Cezanne used to study in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) during that time. The members later renamed their band to "Artcell" in August of 1999. But they officially formed the band later in November 1999. The band also part of what they called, a "family", which consisted of their friends Rupok and Rumman, their key lyricists. Lincoln actually met Rupok during their first year at Notre Dame College, Dhaka where they instantly clicked and Rupok started taking guitar lessons from Lincoln and shared his amazing lyrics.
Artcell led the young generation of music lovers from Dhaka City in particular, who were thus far accustomed to only English Rock/Metal and were not enthused by the over-saturated domestic scene of commercial pop music, which until the late '90s, was the only genre of modern mainstream music in Bangladesh. Artcell however, experimented with tunes from various metal genres and produced a genre of Bangla music that was quite unheard of at that time. They also started performing in "underground" rock concerts, many of which were organized by various early online forums and IRC groups (such as BDPunks, AmaderGaan.com, AlterBD etc.). Artcell then got their first big break when they released their first ever single, "Odekha Shorgo" in the first of many of legendary band mixed album compilations of Isha Khan Durey called "Charpotro" in 2000. They garnered a lot of support and recognition for their musical style and this followed with "Dukkho Bilash" in the next compilation "Onushilon" in 2001 and a year later with "Shopner Chorus" in the next compilation "Projonmo" in 2002. It was also in 2002, where they received a record deal from G-Series for their much awaited debut album, Onnoshomoy with the support of Aurthohin, Miles, Warfaze, Cryptic Fate, Black and a lot of other bands.
The key concept behind Onnoshomoy however, was Rupok's untimely demise in 1999. Rupok was diagnosed with Celebral Malaria and he unfortunately left everyone at a very early age. This left the band members and the families heartbroken, but Rupok's lyrics were extraordinary. Artcell decided they would dedicated Onnoshomoy to Rupok, and Rumman, Ershad, Cezanne, Lincoln and Shaju based the other songs in the album around him. Interestingly, "Poth Chola", the biggest hit of the album was the last track written by Rupok and he passed away leaving the song unfinished. Rumman then completed the song and this second part consists of the words and messages the band had for their lost friend. The band also dedicated a song completely to Rupok with "Rupok (Ekti Gaan)". The song "Itihash" consists of two parts "Shomoy" and "Oddrishto" written by Rumman and Cezanne respectively. "Rahur Grash" was written by Lincoln, whereas "Krittim Manush" was written by Cezanne.
The lineup of Onnoshomoy consisted of the following:
George Lincoln D' Costa: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Ershad Zaman: Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar
Saef Al Nazi Cezanne: Backing Vocals, Bass
Kazi Sazzadul Ashequin Shaju: Percussion
Guest Appearances:
Iqbal Asif Jewel: CD Mastering; Keyboards on "Obosh Onubhutir Deyal".
Isha Khan Durey: Recorded, Mixed and Mastering of Cassette at Soundgarden Studio.
The album artwork concept brought upon by Rumman and the cover artwork and album design done by Humayun Kabir of Shomoloy. Photography was done by Andrew Biraz.
The album is available as an Audio Jukebox on G-Series' official YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZvKjEV0N6k
Track List:
01. Onno Shomoy
02. Bhul Jonmo
03. Poth Chola
04. Rupok (Ekti Gaan)
05. Mukhosh
06. Rahur Grash
07. Itihash (Shomoy/Oddrishto)
08. Krittim Manush
09. Obosh Onubhutir Deyal
10. Olosh Shomoyer Parey
The Jewel Case edition scans were at first provided generously by Rifat Bin Islam, which was used to prepare this blog post.
[click on images to view larger sizes]
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| Artwork |
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| Front + Front Inlay [Jewel Case Edition] |
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| Front-Back [Paperback] |
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| Back [Jewel Case Edition] |
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| CD |
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| Inlay [Paperback] |
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| Inlay Back [Jewel Case Edition] |
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| Lyrics Booklet |
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| Main Cover Artwork (by Humayun Kabir) |
I really want to buy the 2 original artcell CD's. I don't care if it costs me thousands. Where can i find them?
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