Arts
The band’s still got it !
Five years in anticipation: the lights were dimmed, the stage was set, and the hour had finally come. It was the launch of Stigmata’s new album, ‘The Ascetic Paradox’.
Stigmata: Launching TAP with a bang: CC, Suresh and Sanjeev in full cry
One could definitely sense the excitement of the crowd as they made their way to the British School auditorium on Saturday, October 17.
The hallway leading up to the auditorium was suitably atmospheric – exhibiting some of the band’s memories throughout the last fifteen years.
For the last decade and a half these guys have helped shape the heavy metal industry in Sri Lanka. It definitely takes a dedicated set of musicians to stick to their passion and see their dreams come true no matter the cost.
‘The Ascetic Paradox’ (TAP) launch concert stood tribute to that fact.
Fans both young and old, families, sponsors and strangers to the scene had come to witness something different that night. The different generations in the hall, was evidence that the music could be enjoyed by both the young and the old.
Things kicked off with a Sri Lankan twist featuring Isuru Perera and Neil on the traditional Sri Lankan percussion. The Conch shell was blown as Stigmata got on stage for an audience that was set to go crazy that evening.
‘Our beautiful decay’ was the perfect way to kick off a heavy metal gig and soon had the crowd nodding their heads in unison to the music.
The audience: They were all there both young and old. Pix by Anuradha Bandara
This was followed by ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop’. Both these tunes had been played at several Stigmata gigs prior to the launch and were well received.
Soon the audience was introduced to ‘Still born again’, ‘Rush through the twilight silver slithering stream’, ‘Calm’ and ‘Axioma’.
Loads of different vibes were sent out that night and the applause at the end of each song showed that 15 years on, the band’s still got it.
Salvage’s frontman Chrisantha Silva (CC) and baritone Sanjeev Niles were soon up on stage. Their contribution that evening was to ‘Let the wolves come lick thy wounds’.
Together with Stigmata’s frontman, Suresh de Silva, the trio put on a remarkable performance that was amply backed by the band’s beautiful/ heavy music.
The first half of the show was completed with Stigmata’s 13-minute monster ‘And now we shall bring them war’.
Next the band decided to go old school and kicked things off with an all-time favourite, ‘Andura’.The anthems, ‘Voices’, ‘Lucid’ and ‘Swine Maker’ followed next as the crowd head-banged to the music.
Chaos was unleashed inside a brutal mosh pit that formed to the tune of ‘Jazz Theory’ as Stigmata prepared to close for the night; this was pure Sri Lankan Metal at its best.
The audience’s love for the band however was clearly sighted in their chant ‘one more’ and obligingly, Stigmata performed ‘Spiral Coma’, ending what was truly the album launch of the year.
| Limited edition package ‘The Ascetic Paradox’ Limited Edition premium package is priced at Rs. 5000 and includes the album with artwork, a signed poster, a unique Paradox card pack , a Stigmata branded shot glass, a fridge magnet and a Stigmata guitar pick. The album and poster with the Stigmata guitar pick is priced at Rs. 1600 while the album with the fully illustrated artwork alone is Rs. 1200, available at Café Delish on Havelock Road and the Academy of Design, Colombo 4. |