Arts
That screaming, headbanging moment
The atmosphere was lively, upbeat and electric; the bands bold, heavy and eclectic. This was the second edition of The Paradox Tour, and Stigmata were set to test unchartered waters.
A great start to their New Zealand tour: Stigmata in concert in Auckland
The architects of change had already celebrated their 15th anniversary and the release of their newest album, in Valhalla Tavern, Wellington the night before (October 24).
The first Sri Lankan heavy metal band to play in New Zealand, Stigmata kicked off their Paradox Tour in Auckland on Sunday, October 25 with an amazing line-up of 11 bands such as Unleash the Kraken, D.I.C. and His Master’s Voice.
The venue Kings Arms was painted black from floor to ceiling and the audience consisted of both Kiwi and Sri Lankan metal heads adorned in black leather, or distressed jeans and band t-shirts with long locks cascading down their backs like waterfalls, mohawks, pastel-coloured hair, impressive tattoos and piercings.
It was a beautiful metal ecosystem where headbangers, metalheads and thrashers felt right at home.
The bands ranged from rock-n-roll and hard rock to pure heavy metal and metal sub-genres such as thrash, eighties glam metal and nu metal.
Stigmata closed the show with an amazing performance, stealing the hearts of many in the process.
The crowd was transfixed the moment Stigmata took the stage. The band showcased their best work and were cheered on with clapping, screaming and a whole lot of head banging.
They spent a few moments between songs to share things about Sri Lanka and answer any questions the Kiwis had for them; it was great to see the band interacting with the audience.
Drum virtuoso Taraka Senewirathne showcased an incredible drum solo in the middle of the set list making everyone’s jaw drop.
Stigmata closed the show with Stigmata frontman Suresh De Silva jumping off the stage during their final song “And Now We Shall Bring Them War” and serenading the audience around him before returning to the stage and taking his final bow with the band.
In a pre-show interview Stigmata’s rhythm guitarist Tennyson Napoleon said it was “a great opportunity to play alongside New Zealand metal bands and share our music. It’s a dream come true.”
The band was thrilled with the feedback from their show in Wellington the night before, where their music “resonated deep within the hearts of the audience.”
Stigmata carries a new sound, a new era and a new message in their new album The Ascetic Paradox. “This is where passion meets purpose and a lot of hard work,” Suresh explains.
The album “is more expansive than anything we have ever done. We continue to grow, learn and challenge ourselves as well as each other.”
Andrew Obeyesekere shared that playing to a New Zealand audience is different because the Kiwis “have been exposed to famous metal bands but Sri Lanka hasn’t had the opportunity to experience international metal bands live.”
The band has upped the ante and is stronger than ever thanks to their hard work, dedication and passion for their music. “You have to do what you love at any cost,” adds Lakmal Wijayagunarathna.