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CELL DIVISION :
DISSOLVE

Cell Division is a band from Zurich Switzerland. Formed in 1995, they have had the distinction of playing the Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, and opening for romantic goth kings "HIM" (His Infernal Majesty). Cell Division plays what they call "Dark Rock", and the tag seems to fit. Dissolve, their debut CD, will help you out when you're staring at your CD collection, scratching you head, wondering what to play... you know you're in a goth mood, but bands like Tristania are too heavy for the moment, and you don't want anything too slow, you still want a kool beat. Cell Division fills this wide gap. You can just as easily relax while you listen, or dance to it. Cell Division combine haunting female vocals from Yvette G., with a fresh, somewhat understated guitar sound from Mirjam G., that at times reminds me of The Southern Death Cult, or early Cult. The bottom end that keeps the dark grooves coming (and sneaks up on you full force sometimes, see track 7, "Routine"), is made up of Drummer Dani T., and bassist H. Hasch. What's the best way to enjoy this disc? Well, to each their own, but for me; turn out the lights, get the five speaker surround sound set just right on the stereo, pour a glass of red wine, sit back and absorb. I would definitely recommend this to any goth fans, especially if your tired of all the "big name" goth bands, and need something a little different. You can check out the band's official web page at Celldivision.ch for more info. Their next release should prove most interesting...
RATING = 8 Dark Rock (Released 2000)

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CELL DIVISION :
TSUNAMI / HYPNOTIZED (MAXI SINGLE)

It's been four long years since their last outing, but Cell Division have returned! The group has the grand distinction of being only the second band to ever send me a CD for review, so they do have a special, un-spoken status here at the ol' Pad. My first impression on the new one is, WOW, what a difference a new singer and a few years can make to a band. In 2001 the group's former lead singer, Yvette G., left the band. The new lady on the microphone is known as Gelgia C., and she brings a new edge, a very sharp edge, to the band's sound. For some reason she reminds me of different singers at different times. There are moments that make me think of Beth Thompson from Medicine, Kim Gordon from Sonic Youth, and even sometimes punk-goth goddess Danielle Dax. I know they all don't sound identical, but there is some sort of connection. The music itself is also edgier. Dissolve had some cool guitars, but it was a more laid back affair, on Tsunami, the band seems ready to put the rock back in Goth Rock! (Oh man, did I really just type that? How cliche). Non the less, with Dissolve I had recommended sitting back and listening to it with a bottle of wine, but Tsunami is more suited to the atmosphere of a darkened club, or even a party. Highlights are many, but you can not dismiss the greatness of tracks like "Hypnotized", "Anodyne", and "Fingerprints". They are all mesmerizing, full of ultra catchy hooks, and instant brainwashing rhythms. Besides fans of old-school Goth Rock, and modern danceable Goth, fans of Goth-Metal acts like later era Theatre Of Tragedy would also be well advised to check this out. You will also want to know that there is a maxi CD single out for the song Hypnotized. It features a radio edit and 2 remixes of the song, as well as a remixed version of Fingerprints, and a video clip for Hypnotized. The video is pretty cool, with the band playing live, and lots of hot Goth chicks near the end. The one odd thing about the band is their bass player, H. Hasch. He sticks out like a sore thumb. He's an older guy (not that that's any sort of crime) who just doesn't look like he belongs with the other youngsters in the band. Everyone else is wearing a standard issue, black-colored, Industrial / Goth musician wardrobe, while he is in a basic old-dude collared shirt, and sweater! Now, he must be into this music, or he wouldn't be in the band, but for gods sake, at least get him some black hair dye, and maybe a leather trench coat.
RATING = 8.5 (for both) Dark Rock (Released 2004)

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