CoreFrequency
CoreFrequency was formed in 1999 by drummer Martin Ciappara and guitarist/vocalist Simon Deguara. Under the name Spin, the duo wrote and recorded an EP entitled Pead.
Cell 46
With the relatively good reception of Pead, the band decided to recruit other members in order to enable them to perform on the live circuit. Following numerous line-up changes, the band finally found a stable line-up with Simon on vocals, Martin on Drums, Josef Bajada on guitars, Richard Gatt on bass and Eric Mangion on samples and programming. This line-up entered Temple Studios to record Spin's second ep Cell 46 with famed local producer David Vella (Beheaded, Rammstein, Beangrowers, Voodoo Cult, etc.).
Cell 46 was extremely well-received both locally and abroad. Canada's leading metal magazine Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles called Cell 46 "...a sonically intense, well-recorded album full of adrenaline guaranteed to unleash the fury" {can we have a proper reference for the Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles article here?} and the tracks Y¿ and Cell 46 garnered Track of the Day awards on www.garageband.com , a website dedicated to discovering the best independent music. The EP's title track was also featured on BW&BK's KnuckleTracks L with the likes of Lamb Of God, Vital Remains and The Kovenant.
The band gigged extensively throughout 2002 and 2003 in order to promote Cell 46, with the highlight being a gig with UK metal/sludge band Scurge.
Self-titled ep and CoreFrequency
The Cell 46 line-up did not last long. Bassist Richard Gatt was the first to leave, replaced by Andre' Spiteri. Further line-up changes followed - first sampler/programmer Eric Mangion, and then drummer and founding member Martin Ciappara.
The band regrouped as a four-piece. Martin was replaced by Mark Zammit, while Josef took up programming duties in addition to guitar. The band's sound also changed, becoming groovier, catchier but at the same time heavier and more subtly complex.
Creatively, this was arguably the band's peak. Armed with their best material to date, the band re-entered Temple Studios in 2004 to record their self-titled EP, a 4-track affair which included what would thereafter be crowd-favourite Feed Your Mind as well as the bouncy 105 Degrees, war anthem Destruction Unit and the murky Diseased. The EP was launched on the 1st July 2005 at Remedy, Coconut Grove, to a big party with light-shows, djs and the band's infamous stage antics.
Spin received even better reviews than Cell 46 and was voted release of the month on local magazine Dansezee in an issue which also featured a lengthy interview with the band. Danseezee had this to say about Spin's self-titled EP: "Nut-crunching, bowel-moving guitars, deft basslines, perfectly positioned samples and atmospheric keyboard parts... I'll say they're fuckin' brilliant, and this EP shall propel them sky high..." {can we have a proper reference for the Danseezee article here?}
Despite a few setbacks in late 2005 and early 2006, the band continued gigging and working on new material. The chemistry between the four members was palpable, and the musical direction and elements composing the band's sound had diverged so drastically from the original sound and concept envisioned back in 1999 that it was decided a name-change was in order. The new machine was called CoreFrequency.
Unreleased full-length album and demise
Late 2006 saw the departure of original guitarist and sampler/programmer Josef Bajada. This was a major setback.
After trying out various guitarists, the band finally selected Malcolm Meilak, formerly of Canniria and Tryptone. With Malcolm, the band continued improving on it's newfound sound and direction, writing several new songs and gigging extensively. Memorable gigs included a spot on the first edition of the Maltese Extreme Metal Fest in summer 2007 and a December gig with UK band Malefice.
Armed with a new-found confidence, the band re-entered Temple Studios in May 2007 to record its first full-length release, consisting of seven brand new songs and reworked versions of the songs on the Spin EP. The band also initiated negotiations with interested record labels in the hope they would propel themselves to the next level.
Unfortunately, this was not to be. Negotiations fizzled out for various reasons, while the band and Malcolm parted ways in June 2008. This was very frustrating for all involved, as the band was simultaneously writing its best material ever while being unable to find a suitable replacement. Over the years, inner tensions had also built up between the remaining members, and these had finally surfacing.
The band eventually split up in September 2008.