Celldweller
Encyclopedia
Celldweller is a Detroit, Michigan
-based Electronic Rock project that was created by multi-instrumentalist Klayton
, former frontman and songwriter of the bands Circle of Dust
, Argyle Park
, Angeldust
(with Criss Angel
). Celldweller's music is multi-faceted, often labeled electronic rock and more commonly being described as a combination of rock and trance. Celldweller songs have frequently appeared in movies, trailers, television shows, and video games.
. Both albums demonstrated Klayton's shift away from industrial metal and towards more electronic / modern industrial rock influences, incorporating richer electronic instrumentation and greater emphasis on melody. This change in style was a major step toward the sound that would come to define Celldweller's output. Klayton began creating songs for the Celldweller project in 1998/1999 and released a limited edition EP of three early Celldweller demos and two solo trance tracks, which quickly sold out. Klayton and Criss Angel parted ways in 2000 after three albums' worth of material had been completed, allowing Klayton to devote all of his time to Celldweller.
) on the debut Celldweller
album, which was slated for release in February 2001. Unfortunately, various delays kept pushing the release date back. During this time, Klayton kept fans up to date with numerous Celldweller Logs through his website and via email and, in 2001, released raw files of the song "Symbiont" to give fans and fellow musicians a chance to remix Celldweller's music. Eight remixes were chosen and uploaded to the original Mp3.com
, most of them making it to the top of the Electronic and the Electro-Industrial charts. All the exposure led to over 500,000 song plays on Mp3.com. The "Symbiont" remixes became a digital EP six years later.
The self-titled debut album saw release in early 2003 and debuted at #17 on Billboard's
Internet Sales Chart. Celldweller included a guest appearance by Taproot
drummer Jarrod Montague. In 2004, the album took home seven awards at the Just Plain Folks Music Awards
, winning Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Industrial Album of the Year, Metal Song of the Year ("One Good Reason") and Best Industrial Rock Song ("Switchback"), and also took runner-up in Best Industrial Song with "Stay with Me (Unlikely)" and Best Rock Song with "I Believe You". Later, the songs "Birthright" and "Switchback" were included in the list of Hard and Extreme Mode songs respectively for the popular iPhone OS game Tap Tap Revenge
.
In 2004, Klayton put together a double disc release called The Beta Cessions
. The first disc contained a re-recording of the last Circle of Dust song, "Goodbye", alternate mixes of "Switchback", the Klayton tracks from the initial Celldweller EP, and demo versions of debut Celldweller songs. The second disc contained the full debut album in instrumental form, with a few of the instrumentals being slightly edited. Klayton stated that he plans to release Beta Cessions to coincide with each of his major albums to collect outtakes, demos, and other rarities.
In the years following the release of the first Celldweller album, various remix EPs were released, culminating in the conception of the Take It & Break It Celldweller Remix Competition in 2006. Expanded off the fan remix concept that Klayton first toyed with in 2001 with the Symbiont remixes, the Take It & Break It competition saw the creation of its own website on which unlimited numbers of fans could register, download and remix the individual recording files of various Celldweller songs, and then submit their remixes. Three rounds of the competition were completed, with compilations of Celldweller remixes being released at the end of each round. In 2008, the Celldweller Remix Competition evolved into the FiXT Remix Competition where fans, remixers, and musicians have the opportunity to remix songs of not only Celldweller but other FiXT Music artists as well.
In December 2008, Klayton released Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1
, a collection consisting primarily of short, instrumental score-based compositions. The songs were culled from the hundreds of demos in Klayton's extensive archives and represented work that he felt was not suited for a premier Celldweller album but rather for theatrical use. Celldweller's management has sought to have these songs placed in media, like those on the debut album, and several have already been heard on film and television and in video games.
. Of 50 songs, he has narrowed it down to the 10 that will comprise the album. In a recent blog posting on his website, he elaborated on wanting to release the album in 'chapters' with each chapter consisting of 2 songs. In April 2009 Klayton revealed the tracks Blackstar would contain, and has also stated that many of the leftovers will be on the second vol. of The Beta Cessions: "In fact The Beta Cessions II (when I ever get around to working on those tracks) will be primarily new material and not a bunch of remixes and alternative versions of songs from the sophomore ... album". As of late 2011, four of the five chapters of Wish Upon a Blackstar have been released, with the remaining chapter set to be released on March 27, 2012.
During the recording of Wish Upon a Blackstar Klayton also began work on his follow-up to Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1. Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2
will be released in the same manner as Wish Upon a Blackstar: as handfuls of tracks are completed, chapters of the full album will be released digitally until the full collection is complete and the album is released on physical media. Chapter 01 of SVH Vol. 2 featured four songs, including a 20 minute ambient piece (a first for Celldweller). Additionally, a Limited Edition CD of Chapter 01 was released on 7 December 2010 that contained a bonus short ambient track, "Distants".
In addition to working on Wish Upon a Blackstar and SVH Vol. 2, Celldweller kept busy on other fronts. He produced the remainder of the debut Blue Stahli
album, appeared on the soundtrack of the Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 game Dead Rising 2
with a new original song, "Kill The Sound
", as well as a selection of previously released Celldweller songs, and also did remixes for BT
and Jes
.
Klayton confirmed in April 2010 that, for the first time in five years, he would be taking Celldweller on the road. The live band would consist of Klayton and fellow FiXT recording artist Blue Stahli
. The first leg of the tour, in fall 2010, included shows at Triton Fest in New York City, Dragoncon in Atlanta, Georgia
, and EBM Fest in Toronto. In November, 2010, Klayton announced that he is planning to release studio recordings of the alternate live versions of Celldweller songs played on the tour. The first of these releases, Cellout EP 01, is available as an iTunes exclusive, released on January 25, 2011.
On May 4, 2011, a 4-EP bundle was released via Groupees in a 72 hour only exclusive online sale with 20% of the benefits going to Red Cross for Tornado Relief. The EPs in the promotion were Cellout EP 01, Chapter 01 of Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2
, Chapter 03 of Wish Upon a Blackstar
and the Unreleased EP, which contained previously unreleased songs and remixes including a song titled "Senorita Bonita" from the yet unreleased Chapter 02 of SVH Vol. 2 and a Beta Cessions demo, "Atmospheric Light".
In May, Klayton mentioned in one of his live steams the possibility of launching a Celldweller VIP Membership, which would give "access to unreleased demos, video, news, discounts & more". It was planned to be launched in "early/mid July".
On November 24, 2011, Klayton has announced that he is going to release Wish Upon a Blackstar on March 27, 2012.
:
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
-based Electronic Rock project that was created by multi-instrumentalist Klayton
Klayton
Scott Albert, now known as Klayton, is a multi-instrumentalist musician formerly of New York City and currently of Detroit, Michigan who has led several cult status underground bands and has performed under a variety of stage names since the early 1990s...
, former frontman and songwriter of the bands Circle of Dust
Circle of Dust
Circle of Dust were a 1990s Industrial rock band created and run by Klayton who is now more widely known for his solo band Celldweller. Circle of Dust was, along with contemporaries Mortal and Deitiphobia, instrumental in bringing industrial metal to the Christian alternative metal scene...
, Argyle Park
Argyle Park
For the park of the same name in Babylon, NY, see Argyle Lake ParkArgyle Park was an underground industrial rock supergroup founded in New York City in 1994 and active until 1996. Members of the group reformed under the name AP2 in 1998, and were active under that name until winter 2000...
, Angeldust
Angeldust (Industrial band)
Angeldust was an American Industrial music/magic band project from New York City formed by Klay Scott and Criss Angel in 1995. The band only released one album called Musical Conjurings From World of Illusions in 1998 under the name Angeldust and three more albums in 2000 released under Criss...
(with Criss Angel
Criss Angel
Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos , better known by the stage name Criss Angel, is an American illusionist, writer, director, musician, and actor...
). Celldweller's music is multi-faceted, often labeled electronic rock and more commonly being described as a combination of rock and trance. Celldweller songs have frequently appeared in movies, trailers, television shows, and video games.
Precursors: Circle of Dust and Angeldust, 1997-2001
Klayton had gained a devoted cult following in the mid 90s because of his industrial metal band Circle of Dust. After the dissolution of that band, Klayton concurrently released both a posthumous collection of reworked Circle of Dust leftovers titled Disengage and an album for a new project, Angeldust, created in conjunction with illusionist Criss AngelCriss Angel
Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos , better known by the stage name Criss Angel, is an American illusionist, writer, director, musician, and actor...
. Both albums demonstrated Klayton's shift away from industrial metal and towards more electronic / modern industrial rock influences, incorporating richer electronic instrumentation and greater emphasis on melody. This change in style was a major step toward the sound that would come to define Celldweller's output. Klayton began creating songs for the Celldweller project in 1998/1999 and released a limited edition EP of three early Celldweller demos and two solo trance tracks, which quickly sold out. Klayton and Criss Angel parted ways in 2000 after three albums' worth of material had been completed, allowing Klayton to devote all of his time to Celldweller.
Eponymous debut era (1999-2008)
Klayton worked in earnest with producer Grant Mohrman (formerly of Leaderdogs For The BlindLeaderdogs For The Blind
Leaderdogs for the Blind was a Christian rock band, formed by Lyndon Perry, who was the guitar and backup vocals. The band members were Derek Cilibraise - lead vocals, Andrew Barancik - bass, Grant Mohrman - guitar, the drums were programed by Grant Mohrman and Lyndon Perry.- Musical career...
) on the debut Celldweller
Celldweller (album)
Celldweller is the 2003 self-titled debut album by American Electronic Rock band, Celldweller. The album spent one week on the Billboard Top Internet Albums chart, at number 17, and the song "I Believe You" reached number 11 on the R&R Alternative Specialty Show Chart. Celldweller was awarded Album...
album, which was slated for release in February 2001. Unfortunately, various delays kept pushing the release date back. During this time, Klayton kept fans up to date with numerous Celldweller Logs through his website and via email and, in 2001, released raw files of the song "Symbiont" to give fans and fellow musicians a chance to remix Celldweller's music. Eight remixes were chosen and uploaded to the original Mp3.com
MP3.com
MP3.com is a web site operated by CNET Networks providing information about digital music and artists, songs, services, community, and technologies. It is probably better known for its original incarnation, as a legal, free music-sharing service, popular with independent musicians for promoting...
, most of them making it to the top of the Electronic and the Electro-Industrial charts. All the exposure led to over 500,000 song plays on Mp3.com. The "Symbiont" remixes became a digital EP six years later.
The self-titled debut album saw release in early 2003 and debuted at #17 on Billboard's
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
Internet Sales Chart. Celldweller included a guest appearance by Taproot
Taproot (band)
Taproot is a four-piece rock group from Ann Arbor, Michigan. They are most known for their hit single "Poem" , as well as a number of other singles from 2000 to the present.-Pre-formation:...
drummer Jarrod Montague. In 2004, the album took home seven awards at the Just Plain Folks Music Awards
Just Plain Folks Music Organization
Just Plain Folks Music Organization is a website and community founded by Brian Austin Whitney with the intent of helping anyone involved in the music industry to network, share their experiences, build relationships, and grow...
, winning Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Industrial Album of the Year, Metal Song of the Year ("One Good Reason") and Best Industrial Rock Song ("Switchback"), and also took runner-up in Best Industrial Song with "Stay with Me (Unlikely)" and Best Rock Song with "I Believe You". Later, the songs "Birthright" and "Switchback" were included in the list of Hard and Extreme Mode songs respectively for the popular iPhone OS game Tap Tap Revenge
Tap Tap Revenge
Tap Tap is a series of rhythm games by Tapulous available for the iOS of which several versions, both purchasable and free, have been produced. The goal of the game is to tap each of the colored balls when they reach a line at the bottom of the screen. If the ball is hit on the beat, the player...
.
In 2004, Klayton put together a double disc release called The Beta Cessions
The Beta Cessions
The Beta Cessions is a series of releases by Celldweller that collect demos, B-sides, outtakes, and remixes that have been omitted from Celldweller's main studio albums. As of summer 2011, one complete volume of The Beta Cessions, collecting material from the era of the debut Celldweller album, has...
. The first disc contained a re-recording of the last Circle of Dust song, "Goodbye", alternate mixes of "Switchback", the Klayton tracks from the initial Celldweller EP, and demo versions of debut Celldweller songs. The second disc contained the full debut album in instrumental form, with a few of the instrumentals being slightly edited. Klayton stated that he plans to release Beta Cessions to coincide with each of his major albums to collect outtakes, demos, and other rarities.
In the years following the release of the first Celldweller album, various remix EPs were released, culminating in the conception of the Take It & Break It Celldweller Remix Competition in 2006. Expanded off the fan remix concept that Klayton first toyed with in 2001 with the Symbiont remixes, the Take It & Break It competition saw the creation of its own website on which unlimited numbers of fans could register, download and remix the individual recording files of various Celldweller songs, and then submit their remixes. Three rounds of the competition were completed, with compilations of Celldweller remixes being released at the end of each round. In 2008, the Celldweller Remix Competition evolved into the FiXT Remix Competition where fans, remixers, and musicians have the opportunity to remix songs of not only Celldweller but other FiXT Music artists as well.
In December 2008, Klayton released Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1
Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1
- Licensing :Most of the songs from Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1 have been licensed for film, TV, and video games and have also been used in Celldweller video clips on the CelloutTV YouTube channel. "Solaris" was used in the trailer for Frank Miller's movie The Spirit and was also...
, a collection consisting primarily of short, instrumental score-based compositions. The songs were culled from the hundreds of demos in Klayton's extensive archives and represented work that he felt was not suited for a premier Celldweller album but rather for theatrical use. Celldweller's management has sought to have these songs placed in media, like those on the debut album, and several have already been heard on film and television and in video games.
Wish Upon a Blackstar era (2005-current)
Writing and recording for the second Celldweller album has been underway since 2005. Originally slated to come out in the summer of 2006, the album has been delayed numerous times, with Klayton stating in late 2008 that "I would love to just tell everyone 'The album will be done by this date,' but I’ve learned my lesson on that one. It’s hard to predict when it will actually wrap up. I can tell you that I am thinking about alternative methods of releasing this album altogether, but I won't say anything until I’m ready to commit... that always gets me in trouble." In March 2009 Klayton announced that the title of the album is Wish Upon a BlackstarWish Upon a Blackstar
Wish Upon a Blackstar is the second album from American electronic rock project Celldweller. Wish Upon a Blackstar has been a work in progress since 2005; originally scheduled for release in 2006, finalized songs from the album were not released until mid-2009. The full album will be released on...
. Of 50 songs, he has narrowed it down to the 10 that will comprise the album. In a recent blog posting on his website, he elaborated on wanting to release the album in 'chapters' with each chapter consisting of 2 songs. In April 2009 Klayton revealed the tracks Blackstar would contain, and has also stated that many of the leftovers will be on the second vol. of The Beta Cessions: "In fact The Beta Cessions II (when I ever get around to working on those tracks) will be primarily new material and not a bunch of remixes and alternative versions of songs from the sophomore ... album". As of late 2011, four of the five chapters of Wish Upon a Blackstar have been released, with the remaining chapter set to be released on March 27, 2012.
During the recording of Wish Upon a Blackstar Klayton also began work on his follow-up to Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1. Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2
Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2
Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2 is the second instrumental-based album by the American industrial metal artist, Celldweller. It is the second album in the SVH series.-Chapter 01:...
will be released in the same manner as Wish Upon a Blackstar: as handfuls of tracks are completed, chapters of the full album will be released digitally until the full collection is complete and the album is released on physical media. Chapter 01 of SVH Vol. 2 featured four songs, including a 20 minute ambient piece (a first for Celldweller). Additionally, a Limited Edition CD of Chapter 01 was released on 7 December 2010 that contained a bonus short ambient track, "Distants".
In addition to working on Wish Upon a Blackstar and SVH Vol. 2, Celldweller kept busy on other fronts. He produced the remainder of the debut Blue Stahli
Blue Stahli
Blue Stahli is a Detroit, Michigan-based Electronic rock project that was created by multi-instrumentalist Bret Autrey.-Bio:After releasing material under the name Voxis, Autrey was approached by FiXT label head Klayton in 2007 to move to Detroit and record in residence at Celldweller Studios...
album, appeared on the soundtrack of the Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 game Dead Rising 2
Dead Rising 2
is an action-adventure horror-comedy video game, developed by Capcom in partnership with Blue Castle Games, and was distributed by Capcom. It was released on September 24, 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and September 28, 2010 for Microsoft Windows. The Dead Rising staff returned to create...
with a new original song, "Kill The Sound
Kill The Sound
"Kill The Sound" is a single by Celldweller and appears to feature guest vocalist Nivek Ogre from the influential Industrial Group Skinny Puppy and Ohgr. This song is from the Dead Rising 2 Soundtrack...
", as well as a selection of previously released Celldweller songs, and also did remixes for BT
BT (musician)
Brian Wayne Transeau is a classically trained and Grammy-nominated American music producer, composer, audio technician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter better known by his stage name, BT. He is an artist in the electronic genre...
and Jes
Jes Brieden
Jes Brieden is an North American singer, songwriter, producer, and frequent guest vocalist.-Early life:Jes Brieden is a singer, songwriter and producer. Born and raised in New York City, she studied art and singing in an art school. She first began experimenting with music production at her...
.
Klayton confirmed in April 2010 that, for the first time in five years, he would be taking Celldweller on the road. The live band would consist of Klayton and fellow FiXT recording artist Blue Stahli
Blue Stahli
Blue Stahli is a Detroit, Michigan-based Electronic rock project that was created by multi-instrumentalist Bret Autrey.-Bio:After releasing material under the name Voxis, Autrey was approached by FiXT label head Klayton in 2007 to move to Detroit and record in residence at Celldweller Studios...
. The first leg of the tour, in fall 2010, included shows at Triton Fest in New York City, Dragoncon in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, and EBM Fest in Toronto. In November, 2010, Klayton announced that he is planning to release studio recordings of the alternate live versions of Celldweller songs played on the tour. The first of these releases, Cellout EP 01, is available as an iTunes exclusive, released on January 25, 2011.
On May 4, 2011, a 4-EP bundle was released via Groupees in a 72 hour only exclusive online sale with 20% of the benefits going to Red Cross for Tornado Relief. The EPs in the promotion were Cellout EP 01, Chapter 01 of Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2
Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2
Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2 is the second instrumental-based album by the American industrial metal artist, Celldweller. It is the second album in the SVH series.-Chapter 01:...
, Chapter 03 of Wish Upon a Blackstar
Wish Upon a Blackstar
Wish Upon a Blackstar is the second album from American electronic rock project Celldweller. Wish Upon a Blackstar has been a work in progress since 2005; originally scheduled for release in 2006, finalized songs from the album were not released until mid-2009. The full album will be released on...
and the Unreleased EP, which contained previously unreleased songs and remixes including a song titled "Senorita Bonita" from the yet unreleased Chapter 02 of SVH Vol. 2 and a Beta Cessions demo, "Atmospheric Light".
In May, Klayton mentioned in one of his live steams the possibility of launching a Celldweller VIP Membership, which would give "access to unreleased demos, video, news, discounts & more". It was planned to be launched in "early/mid July".
On November 24, 2011, Klayton has announced that he is going to release Wish Upon a Blackstar on March 27, 2012.
Discography
Major releases- CelldwellerCelldweller (album)Celldweller is the 2003 self-titled debut album by American Electronic Rock band, Celldweller. The album spent one week on the Billboard Top Internet Albums chart, at number 17, and the song "I Believe You" reached number 11 on the R&R Alternative Specialty Show Chart. Celldweller was awarded Album...
(2003) - The Beta CessionsThe Beta CessionsThe Beta Cessions is a series of releases by Celldweller that collect demos, B-sides, outtakes, and remixes that have been omitted from Celldweller's main studio albums. As of summer 2011, one complete volume of The Beta Cessions, collecting material from the era of the debut Celldweller album, has...
(2004) - Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1- Licensing :Most of the songs from Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 1 have been licensed for film, TV, and video games and have also been used in Celldweller video clips on the CelloutTV YouTube channel. "Solaris" was used in the trailer for Frank Miller's movie The Spirit and was also...
(2008) - Wish Upon a BlackstarWish Upon a BlackstarWish Upon a Blackstar is the second album from American electronic rock project Celldweller. Wish Upon a Blackstar has been a work in progress since 2005; originally scheduled for release in 2006, finalized songs from the album were not released until mid-2009. The full album will be released on...
(2009–2012) - Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head Vol. 2 is the second instrumental-based album by the American industrial metal artist, Celldweller. It is the second album in the SVH series.-Chapter 01:...
(2010-2012) - The Complete Cellout Vol. 1The Complete CelloutThe Complete Cellout Vol. 1 is an upcoming remix album by Celldweller, which is essentially a compilation of old and new remixes by Klayton himself, Blue Stahli, Drivepilot, Josh Money and others, it is set to be released alongside Blue Stahli's Antisleep Vol. 02 on December 16th, 2011.-Track...
(2011)
Awards
The debut Celldweller album won seven awards in the 2004 Just Plain Folks Music AwardsJust Plain Folks Music Organization
Just Plain Folks Music Organization is a website and community founded by Brian Austin Whitney with the intent of helping anyone involved in the music industry to network, share their experiences, build relationships, and grow...
:
- Best Hard RockHard rockHard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
song - "Fadeaway" - Best IndustrialIndustrial musicIndustrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
Song - "Switchback" (with "Stay with Me (Unlikely)" in second place) - Best MetalHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
song - "One Good Reason" - 2nd place, Best RockRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
Song - "I Believe You" - Album of the Year - Celldweller
- Producer of the Year - KlaytonKlaytonScott Albert, now known as Klayton, is a multi-instrumentalist musician formerly of New York City and currently of Detroit, Michigan who has led several cult status underground bands and has performed under a variety of stage names since the early 1990s...
- Best Industrial album - Celldweller
- Best Male Vocalist - KlaytonKlaytonScott Albert, now known as Klayton, is a multi-instrumentalist musician formerly of New York City and currently of Detroit, Michigan who has led several cult status underground bands and has performed under a variety of stage names since the early 1990s...
(2005 Radio-Active-Music Awards)