Line #36 Music/Celldweller


1	[[quoteright:641:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sddefault_7.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:641:[[ArcWords No price too great, no distance too far... for when you wish upon a Blackstar]]...]]
3	->''I've made a choice, that I regret,\
4	Now what I see, is what I get,\
5	It's too late to look back,\
6	I've got no way to switchback,\
7	It's too late to look back ain't OK I've got no way to switchback!''
8	-->"Switchback"
9
10	Celldweller is an award-winning American HeavyMetal[=/=]ElectronicMusic project, formed in 1999 in New York City, but now based in Detroit, Michigan. The project was formed by multi-instrumentalist, DJ and RecordProducer Klayton (formerly Scott) Albert, who was once involved in several electronic music and IndustrialMetal projects, most notably Angeldust, a collaboration with renowned illusionist Criss Angel. To date, the project has spawned six studio albums, nine [=EPs=] and several successful singles.
11
12	Celldweller's music is incredibly diverse and multifaceted, and is commonly described as a fusion of HeavyMetal, trance, drum and bass, {{dubstep}}, and {{industrial}}, with elements taken from many other heavy music genres. The project has also been classified as NuMetal and gains its pride as one of the {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s of the genre. Celldweller's music has frequently appeared in television shows, movies, and video games, more prominently appearing in ''VideoGame/DeadRising2'', ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed'', and the 3rd season of ''[[VideoGame/KillerInstinct2013 Killer Instinct (2013)]]''.
13
14	Covered on this page are also Klayton's other current music personas: ''Circle Of Dust'', a predecessor to Celldweller which tends to focus more on pure IndustrialMetal, which was abandoned when he had a falling out with his label and revived in 2016 after he got the rights back. ''Scandroid'', a UsefulNotes/{{Synthwave}} project. ''Freq-Gen'' and simply ''Klayton'', described as "musical playgrounds", are basically used for stuff that are somehow even more experimental than ''Celldweller''.
15
16	!Members:
17	!!Current Lineup
18	* [[IAmtheBand Scott "Klayton" Albert]], vocals, guitar, bass, programming, synthesizers, percussion (1999-present)
19	!!Former Members (live performances only)
20	* Bret "Music/BlueStahli" Autrey - backing vocals, synthesizers, guitar, bass, percussion (2010-2011)
21	* Dale Van Norman - electric guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (2003-2005)
22	* Kemikal - bass guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (2003-2005)
23	* Cais - acoustic and electronic drums, percussion (2003-2005)
24	* Kenny James - acoustic and electronic drums, percussion (2003-2005)
25	* Del Cheetah - guitar, keyboards, percussion (2003-2005)
26	* Chris "Tweety" Cross - guitar, keyboards, percussion (2003-2005)
27
28	!Discography:
29	!!Celldweller
30	* ''Celldweller'' (EP, 2000)
31	* ''[[SelfTitledAlbum Celldweller]]'' (2003)
32	* ''The Beta Cessions'' (Collection of B-sides, 2003)
33	* ''Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head, Vol. 1'' (2008)
34	* ''Cellout EP 01'' (2011)
35	* ''Groupees Unreleased'' (EP, 2011)
36	* ''The Complete Cellout'' (Remix album, 2011)
37	* ''Live Upon a Blackstar'' (Live album, 2012)
38	* ''Wish Upon a Blackstar'' (2009 through 2012, full album released in 2012)
39	* ''Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head, Vol. 2'' (2012)
40	* ''Space & Time'' (EP, 2013)
41	* ''Blackstar'' (soundtrack album, 2013 through 2015)
42	* ''End of an Empire'' (2014 through 2015, full album released in 2015)
43	* ''Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head, Vol. 3'' (2016)
44	* ''Offworld'' (2017)
45	* ''Satellites'' (2022)
46	!!Circle of Dust
47	* ''[[SelfTitledAlbum Circle of Dust]]'' (1992)
48	* ''Brainchild'' (1994)
49	* ''Misguided'' (as Argyle Park, 1995)
50	* ''Disengage'' (1998)
51	* ''Machines of Our Disgrace'' (2016)
52	* ''alt_Machines'' (Remix album, 2018)
53	!!Scandroid
54	* ''[[SelfTitledAlbum Scandroid]]'' (2016)
55	* ''Dreams of Neo-Tokyo'' (Remix album, 2017)
56	* ''Monochrome'' (2017)
57	* ''[[DistinctDoubleAlbum The Darkness and The Light]]'' (Double EP, 2018 and 2020)
58	!!Freq-Gen
59	* ''Transmissions: Vol. 01'' (2014)
60	* ''Transmissions: Vol. 02'' (2015)
61	* ''Transmissions: Vol. 03'' (2016)
62	* ''Transmissions: Vol. 04'' (2017)
63	!!Klayton
64	* Terraform Drums Vol.01 (2017)
65	* ''Weapons of War'' (2018)
66	* ''Red Zone'' (2018)
67	* ''Weapons of War: The Monster Within'' (2018)
68
69	!Celldweller provides examples of the following tropes:
70	* CapcomSequelStagnation: Not especially bad, but Klayton tends to remix and re-release his old songs often, and also includes fan-made remixes on albums.
71	** Exaggerated when the full version of ''End of an Empire'' includes a remix of one of its songs, Jericho, by... Circle of Dust. His other project whose last album was in 1998. Excusable since [[https://youtu.be/W8EieWg94Eg?t=2m31s he bought back the rights to all of its albums.]] Yes. [[HesBack Circle of Dust is back.]]
72	** ''End of an Empire'' contains ''Breakout'', featuring [[spoiler: ''Scandroid'', another one of Klayton's projects.]]
73	** There's also ''Pro-bots & Robophobes'', by ''Scandroid'' [[spoiler: feat. ''Circle of Dust''.]]
74	** And, more recently, ''Embracing Entropy'' by Circle of Dust...[[spoiler: feat. ''Celldweller'']].
75	* CarefulWithThatAxe:
76	** Many of his songs have screams that seemingly pop out of nowhere, which can be very jarring for first-time listeners.
77	** Happens less on ''Wish Upon A Blackstar'', due to the LighterAndSofter musical direction.
78	* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: The Chapters of ''End of an Empire'' work this way: ''Time'', the first chapter, is blue. The second one, ''Love'', is red. ''Dreams'', the third one, is green while the fourth and final one, ''Death'', is heavy on purple.
79	* CyberPunkIsTechno: As per IndustrialMetal tradition. There are plenty of exceptions, however.
80	* DarkerAndEdgier:
81	** ''End of an Empire'' not only swings back more to his original style after ''Wish Upon a Blackstar'', but also incorporates elements of {{Djent}} and {{Metalcore}}.
82	** Among the three projects, Circle of Dust is easily the darkest, since it's based around IndustrialMetal in the vein of bands like {{Music/Ministry}} and Music/FearFactory. The project's comeback album, ''Machines of Our Disgrace'', is by far Klayton's darkest work to date, both sonically and lyrically.
83	** For Scandroid, the upcoming ''The Darkness and The Light'' album seems to be this is so far as well, with many songs embracing full-on DarkWave rather than the project's standard UsefulNotes/{{Synthwave}}.
84	* EverythingIsAnInstrument: ''Weapons of War'', a short album released under the [[AsHimself Klayton]] name, consists of StockSoundEffects of stomping feet, [[InstrumentalWeapon firearm cocking and gunfire]], and other militaristic and mechanical effects, all backed by Klayton's signature electronic riffs. One song, "Against the Clock", was used in the trailer for the ''Dreaming City'' raid of ''VideoGame/Destiny2'''s ''Forsaken'' expansion.
85	* FadingIntoTheNextSong: Every song in the deluxe edition of ''Wish Upon A Blackstar''.
86	* FourIsDeath: The fourth chapter of ''End of an Empire'' is named "Death".
87	* GenreMashup: Frequently described as a metal artist who draws inspiration from the most abrasive electronic music genres ({{Drum and Bass}}, {{Dubstep}}, [[{{Industrial}} industrial, EBM]], [[{{Trance}} hard trance]], HarshNoise, IDM, and similar genres), though from song to song, Celldweller can [[GenreRoulette vary between any combination of these genres]]. Fans usually classify him under AlternativeMetal and NuMetal, though his music sounds very little like the established stereotypes.
88	* GenreRoulette: Switches regularly between vocal electronic/metal (''Celldweller'', ''Wish Upon A Blackstar'', ''End of an Empire'') and instrumental, epic-sounding tracks (''Soundtrack for the Voices In My Head'', ''Transmissions''). ''Offworld'' adds electro-acoustic rock to the mix.
89	* HypocriticalHumor: One episode of Ask Klayton has him talk about not wanting to drop the f-bomb too much in his music. He then drops a literal f-bomb (as in a bomb with the letter F on it), which leads him to dropping a verbal f-bomb.
90	* IAmTheBand:
91	** Celldweller is Klayton's solo project, but guest musicians are brought in for live performances.
92	** Exaggerated whenever he does [[SoloDuet a crossover]] between his different projects.
93	* JackOfAllStats: Klayton describes Celldweller's distinct style as this.
94	--> "I never cared about being the best double bass drummer, or the fastest lead guitar player. Couldn't care less. My only desire was to learn different instruments well enough so I could get what I hear in my head onto tape."
95	* LighterAndSofter:
96	** ''Wish Upon a Blackstar'' was nowhere near as aggressive as ''Celldweller'', consisting more of just straight {{Dubstep}} and ElectronicMusic than Klayton's typical IndustrialMetal style. ''End of an Empire'' could be best described as a mixture of both albums, instead.
97	** Scandroid definitely counts as this, being a UsefulNotes/{{Synthwave}} project instead of Circle of Dust's aggressive IndustrialMetal or Celldweller's unpredictable musical maelstrom.
98	** ''Offworld'' is even lighter than that, [[SerialEscalation and possibly even lighter than the Scandroid material.]]
99	* LongRunnerLineUp: It's been the same...[[IAmTheBand one guy]] since 1999.
100	* LoudnessWar: His music lacks dynamic range (save for some works from the ''Soundtrack for the Voices in My Head'' series), and his later works are significantly louder than his earlier ones and certain tracks have horrendous clipping.
101	* NuMetal: Arguably one of the more well-respected bands of the genre, albeit much more electronic than most.
102	* OutOfGenreExperience: "Shapeshifter," composed as a single with Styles of Beyond for ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeedMostWanted'', is far more of a BoastfulRap than the thematic lyrics of Klayton's previous works. He then returns to his normal style afterwards.
103	* ReimaginingTheArtifact: Resurrecting Circle of Dust and doing re-released versions of the old Circle of Dust, Brainchild and Argyle Park albums.
104	* RunningGag: Each album’s copyright notice says “Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is strictly prohibited by Federal Law but that probably won’t stop you anyway.”
105	* SignatureStyle: Chattering ElectronicMusic sounds influenced by {{Trance}}, {{Dubstep}} and noise fused with harsh, crunchy computer-manipulated guitar riffs and fast, aggressive {{Drum and Bass}} rhythms.
106
107	!Tropes demonstrated by the Songs, Lyrics, and Music Videos
108	* AGodAmI:
109	** The narrator for "Own Little World," though it's more of the god of "[[TitleDrop his own little world]]" than all of existence.
110	---> ''Welcome to a world where the air I breathe is mine''
111	--->''There's nothing to overwhelm me and nothing to cloud my mind''
112	--->''Be anyone, do anything I'd ever want to try!''
113	--->''Time doesn't exist here, I will never die!''
114	** The Emperor from ''End of an Empire'', after his SanitySlippage.
115	* AIIsACrapshoot: Much of ''Machines of Our Disgrace'' explores this trope, particularly in songs like the title track and "Contagion".
116	* TheAlcatraz: The XR-87 Prison System located on Helion, mentioned in "Faction 13" and "Breakout."
117	* ArcWords: Some lines repeated across the ''Blackstar'' album include:
118	** "It makes no difference who we are / for when you wish upon a Blackstar."
119	** "You're reaping what you sow."
120	** Variations on the narrator's "birthright."
121	** The phrase "lost in time" shows up a lot throughout ''End of an Empire''.
122	* TheAtoner: "Frozen"
123	-->''"I want to forget mistakes they've helped me make/it's better to be broken than to break"''
124	* AuthorAppeal: Schizophrenia apparently, given how many songs include lyrics about "voices in my head." In addition, Klayton has dedicated entire albums to those voices.
125	** Space, Klayton really, ''really'', '''''''really''''''' likes space.
126	* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: The titular Blackstars grant wishes. However, the lyrics constantly warn the dangers of doing so.
127	%%* BoastfulRap: The entirety of "Shapeshifter."
128	* ConceptAlbum:
129	** Klayton's ''Wish Upon a Blackstar'' epic is an attempt at a story with the lyrics and album covers, but it's ultimately too vague to tell a clear story. Thankfully, his blackstar epic has been turned into a [[Literature/{{Blackstar}} book]].
130	** ''End of an Empire'' is a little more well-developed.
131	* CosmicHorrorStory: Ultimately, both ''Wish Upon a Blackstar'' and ''End of an Empire'' have shades of this, but ''Wish Upon a Blackstar'', [[Literature/{{Blackstar}} adaptation]] notwithstanding, is a better example.
132	* CoverVersion:
133	** He made an electro-metal version of [[Music/{{The Bee Gees}} "Tragedy"]].
134	** [[https://youtu.be/giTZEOWMiL4 And now an alternative/shoegaze version of The Call's "Too Many Tears".]]
135	** As Scandroid, Klayton has covered [[Music/TearsForFears Shout]] and {{Music/Michael Jackson}}’s Music/{{Thriller}}.
136	* DespairEventHorizon:
137	** "So Long Sentiment" describes someone trapped in his own depression, recalling old memories and begging for release.
138	** "Just Like You".
139	* DonutMessWithACop: Included as taunt in [[BoastfulRap Shapeshifter]].
140	--> ''The boiler's grinding, keep the cuffs, enjoy your doughnuts sir / you ain't gonna find me!''
141	%%* DownerEnding: [[OncePerEpisode On every album]]. "Against the Tide" is the worst example.
142	%%* DrivenToSuicide: "One Good Reason", "Tainted", "The Great Divide".
143	* FantasticRacism: This is the cause of the downfall of Atiria in ''End of an Empire''. To clarify, an android gave other androids sapience, resulting in mankind splitting into two groups - the "Pro-bots" and the "Robophobes" - and warring with each other. This is mentioned in "Faction 13" & was expanded upon in the Scandroid song "Pro-bots & Robophobes".
144	* GeniusLoci: Scardonia, the red planet and the source of the blackstars that appears on many album covers and in the ''Unshakeable'' music video. To complete the "living planet" look, it even possesses gargantuan eyes and mouth.
145	* GoodColorsEvilColors: For the ''Unshakeable'' music video, the energy that Klayton's music spreads colors the city a vibrant blue, while the aura of Scardonia is an angry red. At the end, Klayton (and his HumongousMecha) appear to face off.
146	* GreatEscape: "Breakout" involves a group of "[[{{Cyborg}} Plugins]]" conducting one from the infamous [[TheAlcatraz XR-87 Prison System]].
147	* HumongousMecha: One piloted by a mysterious woman appears in the ''Unshakeable'' music video. Unfortunately, the video ends just before its presumed fight with Scardonia.
148	* IronicEcho: From ''End of an Empire'':
149	-->'''The Dreamcatcher:''' Give yourself to me... I... am... ''life!''
150	** Later:
151	-->'''The Gatekeeper:''' Give yourself to me... I... am... ''death''.
152	%%* TheLostLenore: "The Great Divide" has shades of this.
153	* LotusEaterMachine: "Frozen" is a recurring fantasy about a beautiful seductress, and the narrator never wants to leave.
154	* LyricalDissonance:
155	** "Against the Tide" sounds very epic and uplifting, despite the lyrics being about losing against "the tide" and how the predicted end "has finally begun."
156	** "The Great Divide" sounds rather uplifting... and then there's [[TheLostLenore the]] [[DrivenToSuicide lyrics]].
157	* MadnessMantra: Present in many of the more introspective songs, such as "So Long Sentiment," "Stay With Me (Unlikely)," "Kill the Sound," "Goodbye."
158	* MegaCity: The setting for the ''Unshakeable'' music video. At first, it's gray and lifeless, but Klayton's music adds TronLines to every building as it spreads.
159	* NonAppearingTitle: "The Last Firstborn" the lyrics, "Firstborn, last one" appears, but ''The Last Firstborn'' never gets sung or said.
160	* PleaseDontLeaveMe: A mentally unstable narrator pleads this in "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Stay With Me]] ([[DownerEnding Unlikely]])."
161	* PrecisionFStrike: Klayton doesn't curse often, but when he does, he ''really'' goes for it.
162	%%** "Heart On" is the best example.
163	* TheResenter:
164	** "Uncrowned" is written from the perspective of one.
165	--> ''My nights alone were worth is all / Just to see your face on the way down!''
166	** ''Down To Earth'' is another example.
167	* ShoutOut: "Neurachem" features a double whammy: the song takes its title and [[BioAugmentation subject matter]] from the ''Literature/TakeshiKovacs'' trilogy, and all the [[SpokenWordInMusic voice samples]] are taken from ''Film/TheBrainThatWouldntDie''.
168	* SillyLoveSongs: ''Heart On'' would be an AntiLoveSong for its sheer over-the-top vulgarity, except for the fact that the lyrics seem absolutely sincere.
169	%%* SingerNameDrop: "Switchback"
170	* TheSocialDarwinist: "Humanarchy" is sang from the point of view of one.
171	* SplitPersonalityTakeover: The subject of "Kill the Sound."
172	--> ''Two voices in my head / and I want one of them dead / so I can focus on remembering''
173	* TimeAbyss:
174	** "Eon" is about someone trapped in one and trying to escape.
175	%%** "Lost In Time"... naturally.
176	%%* TronLines: Utilized heavily in the ''Unshakeable'' music video.
177	* TheVamp: "I Can't Wait" is from the perspective of someone who falls under her seductions.
178	--> ''Her skin is laced with poison / Her words are laced with lies / Affliction is waiting in her eyes''
179	--> ''I can't control this compulsion / like a moth into the flame / her fiery embrace completes my shame.''
180
181	!Klayton himself
182	%%* DeadpanSnarker: He certainly has his moments.
183	* DoNotCallMePaul: He's long stopped responding to his birth name Scott Albert, instead making Klayton his legal name.
184	* EvilSoundsRaspy: Whenever he wants to be creepy, he generally goes for this through both his natural voice and the effects he layers onto it.
185	* GoodIsBoring: Humorously enough, holds this mentality.
186	--> "The death per capita in New York had dropped because we had a good mayor for a while, and I didn't feel comfortable with that so I wanted to go someplace where there was a lot more people getting killed. [[PlaceWorseThanDeath So I went to]] UsefulNotes/{{Detroit}}."
187	* {{Goth}}: In his Circle of Dust days. His hairstyle is very probably an [[TheArtifact artifact]] from his goth days.
188	%%* HeroicBuild: [[https://altwall.net/img/groups/celldweller_11_02_2013_06_18_15.jpg Yes]].
189	* MetalScream: Very, very frequent in Celldweller and Circle of Dust, of the Type 4 sometimes bordering on Type 3 kinds. Doesn't use any in Scandroid.
190	* OlderThanTheyLook: His DOB is Nov 13th, 1963 according to [[https://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Klayton/163527 Encyclopedia Metallum]], but you wouldn't know it just by looking at him.
191	%%* ProudToBeAGeek: The man has ''no'' guilty pleasures.
192	* ReclusiveArtist: {{Invoked}}: Klayton describes himself as one. He doesn't keep up with the news or own a television set, although he still maintains good relations with his fans, so he really [[SubvertedTrope isn't]]. He hates the traditional method of touring, which combined with his reclusive nature is part of the reason why he didn't tour for a very long period of time and has rarely performed shows since 2011.
193	* SelfDeprecation: According to a few behind-the-scenes videos, he doesn't think he's especially talented for his instruments.
194	%%* SoloDuet: Whenever he does a crossover between his projects.
195	* SopranoAndGravel: He frequently uses HarshVocals along with clean passages in many of his songs. Averted with Scandroid, where he uses no harsh vocals at all.
196	* StartMyOwn:
197	** He had a falling out with his label during his time known as "Circle of Dust" for not being Christian enough for [[ChristianRock the Christian Metal]] scene, so started his own music project free from them.
198	** When Klayton again had a falling out with his new label over distribution in 2006, he started his own label, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FiXT_Music [=FiXT=]]].
199	** Klayton's extremely fond of doing this. He was never satisfied how other bands combined guitar, vocals, drums, and/or electronica, so he decided to just learn how to play them all himself to make his own sound.
200	* StarvingArtist: In his early days, where he slept in his two-room studio [[TrademarkFavoriteFood Reese's Puffs]] were his only food all day. He's since become more successful and less poor, but he still holds the mentality.
201	-->I would rather starve and create what I want than be told from someone who doesn't understand me or my art that something isn't up to their specs."
202	* TrademarkFavoriteFood: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhmrzwx_vxE&t=2m0s Reese's Puffs]].
203	* TheUnreveal: In the first [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk-Qj0kuTfk Ask Celldweller video]], he decides to finally set the record straight about his VagueAge by revealing that he's '''[[SoundEffectBleep INCREDIBLY LOUD DRILL NOISES]]'''. [[spoiler: Fortunately, although he turns his head away, lip-readers can see he begins with "thirty-", so he's somewhere in his late thirties at least]].
204	* XtremeKoolLetterz: His name's not Clayton, it's '''K'''layton.
205

Context Music / Celldweller