Cell Games Unleash Nu-Metal Anthem ‘Witches x Bitches’ (Irish Nu-Metal)
Nu-metal isn’t the genre that immediately springs to mind when you think of feminism. Red caps and Woodstock 99 are not the tent poles for equal rights. Cell Games are here to change that on their new single ‘Witches & Bitches’. The single aims its forked tongue at the unfortunate growing prevalence of people gravitating towards the manosphere, a mis-guided misogynistic movement, with the title being taken from a conversation overheard on some public transport. With a runtime of 2 minutes 45, the track doesn’t waste any time; packed with crunchy riffs, pummeling break downs, soaring melodies and, of course, a John Waters sample. With a video that shows the band aren’t afraid to poke fun at the genre and themselves. ‘Witches & Bitches’ is another example of why Cell Games stand apart from their contemporaries.
Building on the success of ‘The Optical World’, the Dune meets Deftones inspired single that was released earlier this year, which landed the band on the radar of Overdrive.ie, Hot Press, Uber Rock and the Daily Earworm on XRP.FM and Belfast On Air 24/7. The band, comprised of Maximillion Foy (vocals), Tristan Carroll (guitar, backing vocals), Deb Finn-O’Brien (bass, backing vocals) and new drummer Niall O’Carroll, return with new single ‘Witches & Bitches’. A song that began life as a simple riff until the band got together taking their respective hammers to the anvil. Maximillion then gave it structure and imbued it with the message we hear on the final version.
The track starts with one of those happy studio accidents, a slowed and warped reverb loop provides the drone that’s the bed for a sample taken from John Water’s classic ‘Pink Flamingos’. Part of a longer monologue delivered by drag queen extraordinaire, Divine, as they intone ‘Kill everyone now’. All very apt given the subject matter. From here on out the song is an onslaught of riffs and vocals that pendulum between catchy harmonies and throat shredding growls. Tristan offers up some incendiary guitar work, the guitar tone is insanely thick and heavy. Deb’s bass adds further heft to proceedings. All driven forward by Niall’s drums, instead of opting for mindless drum kick throughout, it’s used tastefully and all the heavier for it, accented by various splashes and bells. Maximillion’s vocals add a unique dimension to Cell Games, his melodic choices juxtaposed with more traditional heavy vocals help the band start apart. Additional harmonies in the chorus show that the band aren’t afraid to experiment and take steps outside genre norms.
The band shot a video to accompany the track that took inspiration from Faith No More’s ‘Everythings Ruined’ and fully employed the use of green screen. Taking a tongue in cheek approach to the video, the band aren’t afraid to poke fun at the genre or themselves. ‘WxB Cripz’ are the flavour everyone wants now.
The band returned to JSR Audio in Belfast to record the track. Josh has built a reputation for being one of the best producers in Ireland for the modern metal sound and the band have a long history with JSR. Having built up that rapport allows for an easy recording process, with a vocabulary between band and producer meaning that things move fast and gives space for experimentation in the studio.
Cell Games are one of the most interesting metal bands on the Irish scene. Unashamedly embracing their nu-metal influences they take the genre and make something fresh from what can so easily become formulaic. Crushing riffs and thunderous drums for sure but socially conscious and with a sardonic twist that set them apart.
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