With a lineup of musicians that have also played in such bands as Citizens Arrest, R.A.M.B.O., and Nema, Grey C.E.L.L. has been working together for going on a decade now.
Stylistically speaking, the Philadelphia-based quartet isn't attempting to reinvent the hardcore wheel, keeping things lean and mean, and always pinning everything with thought-provoking lyrics. The latter is missing in so much of the newer hardcore I hear these days. But that's a topic for another day.
Recorded by Chris Pierce (School Drugs, Doc Hopper) at Volume IV in New Jersey, Grey C.E.L.L.'s Cursing Every Lesson LP is a ripping affair that deserves your attention. One of the tracks on the album, "Planned Execution," was directly inspired by the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, a ghastly day in American history.
Teaming up with director Charles St. John III, Grey C.E.L.L. have just released a music video for "Planned Execution" that I'm honored to help premiere for our readers today. The music video was filmed at the Latvian Society of Philadelphia which also hosted Grey C.E.L.L.'s record release show hours later:
"Planned Execution"
A brilliantly planned execution. A harness fit tightly to rage.
Byproduct of righteous fervor for enemies not dead in the streets.
It'll get you closer to heaven to force sinners to poverty.
It'll get you closer to heaven to see the impure bleed.
Children forced out of children. Children forced out of state.
Bloodied an institution. Bloodied an enemy state.
It'll get you closer to heaven to force sinners to poverty.
It'll get you closer to heaven to see the impure bleed.
All freedoms always but exceptions for purity's promise and bodies in control.
If you're in the New Jersey area this Saturday (Oct. 5), Grey C.E.L.L. will be part of a benefit show for hardcore veteran Sean McCann who is battling ALS right now. The bill also includes Kirkby Kiss, Omega Glory, and Pariiah. Learn more about Sean and his contributions to the hardcore scene in this recent No Echo interview done by Mike Musilli.
Cursing Every Lesson is available on vinyl and digital via Council Records.
Grey C.E.L.L. on social media: Instagram
Tagged: citizens arrest, fright, grey cell, r.a.m.b.o.
