“This has got to be a hoax,” was the first thought to crop into my mind when I heard that the world’s #1 metalcore band would be performing in Sri Lanka next month. But much to my delight I soon discovered I was wrong! The Californian Grammy nominated band, As I Lay Dying, will be performing alfresco in Sri Lanka for two days.
As I Lay Dying (ALID) a platinum selling band that started out in 2000 has since topped charts and developed an ever burgeoning fan base worldwide while tucking several awards and titles under their belt. Besides being nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008 for their song “Nothing Left,” the band has won the title of Artist of the Year at the San Diego Music Awards in 2008 as well as the Ultimate Metal God title from MTV2 in 2007 at their All That Rocks special.
But, AILD won’t be the only foreign band performing at the concerts. Nervecell, one of the biggest death metal bands from the United Arab Emirates that has also signed up the major German label ‘Full Force Records,’ will perform alongside AILD. Having previously performed at concerts together, on hearing that AILD was to perform live in Sri Lanka, Nervcell in an interesting twist requested to perform in Sri Lanka as well.
This is what the organisers, Midnight Mist Entertainment, were hoping for by organising the concert. “When bands such as AILD and Nervecell come to Sri Lanka, we will get some exposure among other artistes and bands. Possibly if all goes well, we hope to get Eminem down here as well,” says Sesiri Pathirane, director of Midnight Mist Entertainment. AILD merchandise will be available at Vibrations and ODEL this week and an AILD van will take to the streets with merchandise as well.
AILD and Nervecell will also be treated to some Lankan heavy metal with three of our top bands—Paranoid Earthling, Fallen Grace and Whirl Wind—taking to the stage as well. The concert is expected to be a boon to the local music industry, as AILD’s recording label Metal Blade, will be present at the two day open air concert scouting the local talent.
"We are looking forward to sharing the stage with them,” says Lead vocalist of Fallen Grace, Sohan Ratnaike. “Other local artistes will get recognized as well, and this will give Sri Lanka exposure in the Asian Metal Industry.
Paranoid Earthling sees the concert as an opportunity that will give local bands an opening to perform abroad and give them a foot-in in the heavy metal industry word wide.
Sesiri explains that the concert will be beneficial to the local music industry as well as tourism by stirring the interest of people over the internet.
John Keells, Walkers Tours, Cinnamon Grand and M Entertainment will be sponsoring the event, while MBC MTV - Sirasa TV, MTV and Yes FM will be the electronic media sponsors. The Sunday Times will be the print media sponsor for the event.
The open-air concert will be held at the Viharamahadevi Park on December 18 and 19. Tickets will be priced at Rs. 1,500/- and are available at Vibrations, Alcatect Sounds at Majestic City, M entertainment outlets, as well as the AILD van that will be travelling around Sri Lanka. Tickets can also be purchased online on me.lk.
More information about the band and the event can be found on the websites - www.asilaydying.com, www.asilaydying.lk and the facebook events page.
Also, 25 lucky fans will get to meet, greet and party with AILD at a private function exclusive to the selected winners. Fill out the coupon with the serial numbers of your ticket and mail it to No. 8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2, before December 7. |
E-mail