Review: Celldweller - Cellout EP 01

Celldweller's self-titled album, released in 2003, is one of the only albums where every single track has been licensed for a move, game or some other form of entertainment. That's a pretty impressive feat. It's not too difficult to work out how this occurred, as the album almost seems like it was specifically written for fight scenes or car chases, making music reminiscent of Linkin Park around the time of Re-Animation (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Though I think many of the songs on the album are actually pretty weak with badly written choruses, it's the mix of electronica and nu-mutal guitars which makes it a good album to put on in a party atmosphere or to complement a fast-paced gaming session. Think of it as Rammstein with a MacBook.

8 years later and we have Cellout EP 01, a 6 track remix EP (3 songs, then the instrumental versions of those songs). Two of the songs are from the first album, the other from the second installment of the 'Wish Upon A Blackstar' album. I have nothing against the idea of remixes if they're done well, in fact it's difficult to deny that the three on this EP are good remixes (qua remixes), but they just feel a little pointless. I think it says quite a lot about the artist if they're still remixing songs from an album they released 8 years ago, especially given that the two installments of the 'Wish Upon A Blackstar' (the long-awaited second album Klayton hasn't even finished yet) have been disappointingly underwhelming.

So the songs are remixed, sure, but not into anything significantly different (electronica nu-metal remixed into electronica nu-metal). Klayton throws in the occasional bit of dubstep (which is possibly the most overblown and boring style of music I've ever listened to), but this isn't a good thing. Ever.

If you're a die-hard Celldweller fan then whatever the review you'll download it regardless. It's not a bad piece to add to the collection, it's just a mediocre one & not one I think will get repeated plays. If you've not really listened to Celldweller before, I'd suggest checking out the almost-entirely-instrumental 'Soundtrack To The Voices In My Head Vol. 1'. It showcases the best of Celldweller in that it focuses on what Klayton does best; mix electronica with catchy nu-metal riffs. That way, you don't have to deal with the feeling that the vocals undermine most of the music; it's not that his voice isn't suited to the music (it is), it's just that he can't seem to write catchy vocal sections. Celldweller is a band that should be amazing & there's no obvious reason why it shouldn't be, but after so much average material it's difficult to get excited about new releases; this EP does nothing to change that.

[5/10]