iClown - NEW RELEASE - Emotions Integrate ft. Arjun Dhas

Renown Sri Lankan EDM mastermind iClown has just released his brand new EP 
‘3 X F’, and the music is as diverse as it is uniquely energetic. 

In an increasingly stagnating genre, iClown brings some much-needed freshness to the table. Emotions Integrate is his collaboration with guitar-whiz Arjun Dhas, let’s just say there’s nothing quite like it. Combining elements of Drum & Bass with virtuoso guitar-playing, Emotions Integrate is a 5-minute odyssey in audio. It’s inspiring to see a collaboration between artists of such vastly defying musical genres, especially when it results in something that is so wholesome and articulately composed. 

Who knows? Maybe this song will eventually be considered a landmark moment in Sri Lankan musical history. We’re definitely eager to hear more genre defying collaborations from these maestros.

Check out the track below  
(WARNING: may induce spontaneous eargasms)

Buy the EP now from Heavy Artillery Recordings

Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2fOa64C
iTunes: http://apple.co/2eULd6s
Beatport: http://btprt.dj/2eg4lPr
Juno: http://bit.ly/2fxzzCd
Trackitdown: http://bit.ly/2g8qzoc

MOSH SCREAM ROCK X - TRIBUTE TO VENURA KARIYAWASAM

The bands and crew of Mosh Scream Rock join forces to pay tribute to Venura Kariyawasam at the upcoming concert!

Message from Mosh Scream Rock:

"The year 2016 has been an emotional and psychologically precarious path for rockers and metal-heads around the world as many idols took their last breath; David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Keith Emerson and everyone’s Rock ‘n Roll hero, Lemmy Kilmister who suddenly left us in late 2015, but nothing was more traumatic for the locals than the loss of a loving brother.

The date was 9th July, it was a start to a peaceful and eventful weekend with many ready to ‘let loose’ after a busy week at their employment but what the metal community realized was it was a day that would be etched into their hearts forever; the day that no volume of words could express the unfathomable agony of losing a family member.

Venura Kariyawasam or as many of his friends called him ‘Venna’ was an exceptional character both in and off the metal scene in Sri Lanka. Being the bassist of the Death metal project, Destroy And Discard and Progressive metal band Chain, Venura was a man of energy, exuberance and scintillating performances which always got the fans going wild; his dreadlocks and sense of fashion drove people towards him but what attracted people towards him the most was simply this, for being a true human being.

The world is filled with all sorts of monstrosities – be it evil, sickness, terrorism or extremists but it lacks the core which birth’s life to all living things, being Simple. Venura was Simple and Humble personified. To be taken so young is to defy what Life means for humanity. Nothing can amount to losing a friend but none more so than losing a loving brother.

“Venura Dandd Kariyawasam was an amazing bassist, humble human being, a brother to us all and a hard working musician striving to build up the metal community. No words can suffice who he was to us and the pain of not knowing that he is not here with us anymore” – Mosh Scream Rock

Mosh Scream Rock X which is scheduled on 15th October will feature a stellar line up of bands who will pay tribute to Venura. It will not be a day to mourn the loss of a brother, no. It will be a day to celebrate the life he lived. It will be a day to pay homage to an amazing soul, a day to say ‘thank you’ for all the days, months and years we have known him and for all the memories he created with us along the way and for each to be cherished till we die!

Rest In Power brother, we will see you on the other side. Rest well."

All funds and profits raised from the concert will go towards completing the Destroy And Discard album, which had been a few months in the making before Venura tragically passed away. What better way to cement his legacy in the book of Heavy Metal than to unleash the beast of an album that he co-wrote!

This installation of Mosh Scream Rock has a massive lineup of bands taking the stage, probably the largest MSR line up since the inception of the concert series.

Slaying this October at Mosh Scream Rock X: DARKSIDE DOWN, BLIND EFFECT, REBEL EXODUS, DURGA, CHAIN, NEFERTEM, ANCIENT CURSE, CONSTELLATION, MENINGITIS, SACRAMENT, SEVEXTH, ABYSS, and DESTROY AND DISCARD.

Early bird tickets are now on sale! 

Visit the official Facebook event page for more information

MAELSTROM FESTIVAL 2016 - LINEUP ANNOUNCED!!

The line-up for this year’s installment of MAELSTROM FESTIVAL has been announced!

AWN RADIO has got some killer acts billed to perform at the festival this November.

The pioneers of Pure Sri Lankan “Sri” Metal WHIRLWIND return to the stage after a brief hiatus in full force and fury! Taking the stage alongside them are Lankan Groove rebels ABYSS, and Prog metallers NEUROCRACY.

Due to many requests from fans after last year’s mind-blowing performance COAT OF ARMS will slay once again on the MAELSTROM STAGE this year. Word is they’ve got a killer surprise in store for their fans.

Returning for their second performance in Colombo after five long years are the Singapore based Vedic Metal titans RUDRA!

And hitting the stage for their first international performance are German Symphonic Death Metal band DARKEST HORIZON.

Tickets are on sale now! 

Visit the official Facebook event page for more information

NEUROCRACY - NEW RELEASE - Anatomy Of Skin (LYRIC VIDEO)

This band has been active for the past couple of years, hidden away in the shadows working on their material and quietly brewing up a storm. Now the moment has come when they’ve chosen to emerge from the shadows to give us a glimpse of the chaos that’s in store for us.

 

The members of NEUROCRCY are no strangers to the metal scene, all having been involved in prominent bands over the years.

The current line up of the band features Gayan Dantharayana (Hollow) and Shevantha Abeyasekera on Guitars, Sohan Ratnaike (Fallen Grace, Hollow) on Vocals, Aki Pieris (Mass Damnation, Hollow) on Bass, and Chathuranga Pitigala (ex- Stigmata) on Drums.

Check out their new single ‘Anatomy of Skin’

METALHEADS MOURN THE PASSING OF VENURA KARIYAWASAM

It's a very sad day for Sri Lankan metal-heads as we mourn the passing of Venura Kariyawasam, bassist of the bands Destroy And Discard, and Chain. 

A prominent member of the Death Metal scene; Venura was widely known for his killer bass playing and energetic stage presence. He was also a member of the progressive Metal band CHAIN who secured the title of runner-up for The Best Band Category at TNL Onstage 2015.

Chain - runner-up for The Best Band Category at TNL Onstage 2015

Venura left his mark in the hearts and minds of all Lankan metal-heads and will be remembered for his generous nature, personality and for being a baddas bassist.

Our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and the Sri Lankan Metal Community!

R.I.P Venura "Venna" Kariyawasam!

PARANOID EARTHLING - NEW RELEASE - HALFCAST

The Earthlings are back with a brand new release!

‘Halfcast’ is a volatile and groovy track that is immensely catchy. The main riff of the song is one of those grooves that sticks in your head from the very first listen and keeps you hooked right throughout.
 
You are bound to discover flavors from the band's prominent influences, ranging from Rock n Roll, Grunge, and even some old-school Megadeth sounding Metal bits.

The solo is definitely one of the most prominent aspects of the song, not for technicality or musicianship, but for being super catchy and a great overall fit with that instantly appealing riff that is the main-attraction of the song.

We are definitely looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the premiere Rock and Roll act of Kandy.

 

DESTROY AND DISCARD - BRAND NEW RELEASE - INHUMAN

One of the heaviest acts to hit the Sri Lankan Metal scene of recent times, Destroy and Discard’s latest release 'Inhuman' is a hard-hitting Brutal Death-Metal track with some Melodic bits intricately placed to spice things up. 

'Inhuman' is in essence a true tribute to gore-heavy and slasher-themed material that is infamous in the world of Brutal Death-Metal, with a scenario involving what sounds like a man being chainsawed being the introductory segment of the song. Blast-beats and Deep-growling entwined with heavy-riffing soon follow. Towards the middle, the track takes an unexpected turn as a very melodic and almost-soothing guitar-solo is thrown into the mix, making a very unique song. 

We’re absolutely stoked to find out whats in store for us and the Colombo Metal Scene at large with the Band’s new EP that’s coming out, titled “The Annihilation of a Sociopath”. Definitely sounds like something to keep our eyes and ears peeled for.

THEY ARE BACK AGAIN!

Ravin David Ratnam is bringing back the groove after nearly four years of silence in the R.A.G.E camp!

(Scroll down for video)

That's right, the righteous army is back again with a solid new line up and some brand new tunes.

 

Completing the new line up of R.A.G.E is Daniel Prins (Manic) on drums, Shivy Fernando (The Rebels, Manic) on bass, and Tony Jayathilake (Mass Damnation, Nevi'im) on guitars. 

Word is the band is gearing up for the release of the long awaited album that's kept fans on the edge of their seats and drooling for more ever since their first taste of the single 'Back Again'.

 

In case you missed it, check out the footage from last Sunday's set at Chords for a Cause. 

 

R.A.G.E is set to take the stage again at Mosh Scream Rock in Negombo on the 25th of June! 

 

Shashika Madhusanka - Evolution (Skyharbor cover)

Crywolf has been quiet since the band took a break from gigs to work on their EP. Here's hoping they're gonna be back on the scene soon with some new Djenting tunes.

Photo Credits- Kenny Thomas

Check out this stunning cover of Skyharbor - Evolution by Crywolf axeman Shashika Madhusanka!

iClown - Falling to Eternity ft. Eshantha

Sri Lankan producer iClown is known for his killer EDM and Metal collaborations but THIS is some next level shit!

Falling to Eternity ft. Eshantha Perera of Constallation is iClown's debut release under his brand new metal project iClown Metal. 

Have a listen and let us know what you think in the comment section below! 

NEVI'IM pay tribute to 'The Father Of Death Metal'

Sri Lankan Prog giants Nevi'im celebrated their fifth anniversary on the 14th of November

photo credit: Yohan Siriwardena

Nevi'im played a scorching set of tunes off their EP 'Death of an Avatar' along with some brand new material from their upcoming album. The band also threw in a stellar set of covers featuring Ryan Johnson (Mass Damnation, The Ryan Johnson Project) and Che Weeratne (Abyss) on guest vocals.

Check out this fan filmed footage of their tribute to 'The Father Of Death Metal' Chuck Schuldiner