CELLDWELLER CELLDWELLER ALBUM ESION MEDIA, POSITION MUSIC RELEASE: JANUARY 28, 2003 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 17, 2003

OK people, hold on to something because this album is a heck of a ride. The man behind it is called Klayton and has been involved in projects like Prong, Angeldust and Criss Angel. Now he’s on his own in Celldweller. He plays all instruments himself, and boy does he play! I don’t think I have ever heard such a wild mix of metal and electronics. The track “The Last Firstborn” for example, switches between hardcore trance and hardcore metal almost seamlessly several times throughout, making it an intense piece of aural bliss. Other tracks are more metal than anything, while one track is full-on atmospheric breakbeat. In between we have an electronic ballad, and a near Depeche-esque pop track. But most of the time, Klayton blends several styles all at once.
It's amazing that everything fits together really well, and I find myself wanting to hear the album over and over again, sitting at work with my headphones and a big stupid smile on my face. Most songs are brilliant, and as catchy as the flu. But when there are 15 tracks, not all of them will be spectacular. Some of you are definitely going to think the album contains too much guitars, and I admit, there are some hints of the dreaded genre nu-metal in here. But if that doesn’t bother you, and you want some awesome, heavy, melodic, energetic, smile-inducing, wild, diverse music, this is a must buy.

JOHAN CARLSSON