By Venessa Anthony
In celebration of their 22nd anniversary, Stigmata took the stage once again last Saturday (8 October), performing at Darley Road Pub and Restaurant. “The Rocktober Sessions: Volume I” is the fourth live concert organised by Stigmata as part of a year-long series of shows staged at key venues around Colombo.
Stigmata never play the same show twice, and there is absolutely no disputing the contribution these giants of metal have made to the local rock and metal scene. This time around, Stigmata performed as a much-anticipated five-piece once again. With the latest addition of Shayne Seneviratne (from Ancient Curse, Chain, and Senkadagala) to their ranks as the second guitarist and Shavin Hettiarachchi (from Trishira) as the new talented skinsman on drums, the new lineup had the crowd going absolutely wild. Stigmata themselves were as delighted as their fans were once news leaked that the band would take to the stage to perform as a five-piece once again, and they did not disappoint.
“The Rocktober Sessions: Volume I” also featured a star-studded guest lineup of performers – the classical baritone extraordinaire Sanjeev Niles, the brilliant hard rocker Ashen Sandaru, and the energetic and enigmatic dukes of aggression, metal band Sevexth. Over the last few gigs, Niles did a stellar job of opening for Stigmata. This time around, they switched things up a little bit, with Ashen Sandaru opening the floor, and giving the audience a taste of the killer gig to come.
After a mind-numbing performance by Sevexth, and Niles once again taking the stage during the lead-up to Stigmata, the crowd was ready for the headlining act to lay it down.
Stigmata opened the floor with the song My Malice, and most of the crowd immediately stopped whatever they were doing, moved to the front of the pub, and were completely enraptured by the band’s energy. All their songs combined power and melody with the urge to headbang. Throughout the set, the band really gave it their all – and with the chemistry between the new members and old – from the reaction of the crowd, they too gave it their all in cheers and screams for more.
The band promised a mind-incapacitating performance and they went out of their way to deliver it. With a diverse set list comprising some of their most beloved anthems they have not performed in many years, some new music, and a tribute to Alice in Chains, they had the crowd on their feet, with fists in the air and screams echoing throughout the pub.
Stigmata undeniably has some great songs and an amazing personality, all wrapped up in the recombined five-headed metal beast.
Stigmata frontman Suresh de Silva, as always, extended his gratitude towards their loyal fans, as well as the sponsors who worked tirelessly to ensure that this, and all the gigs preceding it, were a smashing success. The band has been occupied playing to full houses, have launched some incredible new merchandise, and are working on new music that will end up on the band’s fifth and next studio album. With this being just Volume One of Rocktober Sessions, Suresh promised more to come – in a much bigger and better scale, urging their fans to keep an eye out for more exciting announcements and grand things to come for the band.
Photos Lalith Perera and Eshan Dasanayaka