A Cell Divides

"A Cell Divides" is a song by British progressive metal band Haken. It was the first third and is the final song from the band's fifth album, Vector.

Basis

NOTE: It's recommended that you know the basis of the album before you read this.

The song documents the climax of the album, with the experiments on Patient 21 becoming to drastic that they begin to modify his very physical being.

Production

"A Cell Divides" was initially written in a hotel writing session by the band in 2017. The song was written with an attempt to create a more concise piece of music, rather than the longer pieces Haken are generally known for.

Lyrics

"A Cell Divides" lyrics [Click here]
Preserved in time
The insect comes alive
The amber falls away

The vector strikes
How can such a tiny wound
'Cause me so much pain?

It's the beauty in the flaw
The grace of imperfection
Oh, oh
Now I'm twisted out of form
By unnatural selection
Oh, oh

A horrifying violation
Of a human form
A cell divides and multiplies
A strange mutation overrides
And carbon-copies into four

It's the beauty in the flaw
The grace of imperfection
Oh, oh
Now I'm twisted out of form
By unnatural selection
Oh, oh

Alien impostor
Pretender
I'll keep you safe now
Close to my heart

Alien impostor
Pretender
I'll keep you safe now
Close to my heart

It's the beauty in the flaw
The grace of imperfection
Oh, oh
Now I'm twisted out of form
By unnatural selection
Oh, oh

It's the beauty in the flaw
The grace of imperfection
Oh, oh
Now I'm twisted out of form
By unnatural selection
Ooh, ooh, oh

Personnel

Haken
  • Ross Jennings - vocals
  • Richard Henshall - guitars
  • Charlie Griffiths - guitars
  • Diego Tejeida - keyboards, sound design
  • Conner Green - bass
  • Raymond Hearne - drums

Quotes from the Band

"Spawned from some hotel room writing sessions last year, Vector's album closer was a fresh approach to concise song writing, for which we are not typically known. While the lyrics in A Cell Divides unlock more clues to the narrative of Vector, the video, filmed mostly in slow motion, contradicts the frantic pace of the song and delves into the beauty of flawed and warped imagery."

-Haken

Trivia

  • According to Vector's lyric book, "A Cell Divides" takes place in October 1969, almost exactly five years after "The Good Doctor".
  • The melody of the opening line is taken directly from the opening lyrical melody of "Cockroach King".

Links
"A Cell Divides"
Single by Haken
Released 19 October 2018
Album Vector
Genre Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock
Length 4:51
Live Plays 76 (#18)
Vector
"Host" << "A Cell Divides" • "Verbal Summator"
Haken Singles Chronology
"Puzzle Box"
(2016)		 << "A Cell Divides"
(2018)		 >> "Prosthetic"
(2020)


"A Cell Divides" music video

"It's the beauty in the flaw, the grace of imperfection."

A Cell Divides, from Vector