Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom. It developed a thick massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats and overall loudness. However this genre of music has constantly redefined and reinvented itself to emerge into what it is today. Here in Sri Lanka we see many rock and metal bands in the Western music industry. With so many new bands out there in the country it is no easy task to decide which concert to choose.
Recently, at the `Revival Fest’ in Kandy, some youngsters made a lot of noise with their guitars and drums and kept the crown grooving to their music right throughout. The band is called `Silence of Loud’ and they sat down with `Daily News melodies’ to talk about their roots.
Silence of Loud also known as ‘SOL’ is a Heavy Metal - Hard Rock band formed in Kandy, founded by Guitarist Sachithra Jayawickrama in 2018. This band comprises Sachithra Jayawickrama (Guitarist), Ashen Sandaru (Vocalist), Kavin Harshana (Guitarist), Sajith Sri (Bassist) and Kaveesha Karunarathne (Drummer).
In the Beginning the band line up endowed with Sachithra (Guitarist), Ashen (Vocalist), Kavin (Guitarist), Chanaka Chandrasiri (Drummer) and Kavish Sirisena (Bassist). “When Sachithra was building the band up, he wanted Ashen to get involved in it and on Ashen’s introduction Kavin joined with them. At the moment former Bassist Kavish Sirisena left the band due to a private reason and then Kavin introduced Sajith Sri as new Bassist. After our very first gig, `Adimaathraa’ (Melodic Overdose) in 2018, our drummer Chanaka Chandrasiri (Jima) resigned. Kaveesha joined SOL as the replacement of Chanaka on the invitation of other members. This is how the band was formed and from there onwards we have been playing music for audiences. We have witnessed our audience growing throughout the years,” Sajith said.
Silence of Loud found their inspiration and influence from 70s, 80s and 90s popular western Rock Bands like Guns n Roses, Metallica, Queen, Iron maiden, Motley Crue, Pink Floyed etc. All together these five members Sachithra, Ashen, Kavin, Sajith and Kaveesha are always trying to make a great Rock/ Metal Sound and therefore they are earning an excellent metal fan base by playing Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive metal, Alternative Rock, and Psychedelic as their main genres. “We are always trying fresh things. Our music is original. Music lovers around us expect that originality from us. We are always trying our best to deliver up to their expectations,” Kavin explained.
They were able to gain popularity in rock concerts and gigs such as `Rock Saturday’ organised by Suriya Brothers and ‘Swarawshadha’ during their career. Silence of Loud demonstrated their Acoustic professionalism at ‘Acoustic Saturday’ also presented by Suriya Brothers, to whom the band is ever grateful.
“We had the most recent gig last week in Kandy. Kandyan Underground presented `Revival Fest 2019’ and we had a wonderful time there. With growing numbers of blossoming new artists and fans for the genre of rock and heavy metal music, Kandyan Underground decided upon unleashing a series of low cost underground gigs intended on promoting rock and heavy metal music and upcoming new bands to the mass population of music lovers in Kandy and island wide. You could enjoy and witness the new talent in the scene as well as the veteran bands in action. The response we had was amazing,” Sajith said.
Ashen added that at the moment the band is determined to enter the international music arena in the near future. “Going international being a band from an Asian country like Sri Lanka would be a good example for other musicians and bands here. We are negotiating with international labels to sign up with them and show the talents we have in our island. We will also launch our music album comprising about eight songs in December. We have already recorded five original songs and most of the lyrics are done by Kavin. Machine (Gene Freeman) which is an American rock and metal producer known for his work with Lamb of God, Fall Out Boy, Suicide Silence, Demon Hunter and many others is assisting us mixing the songs Pain and Scream and Gonna be a Dream,” Ashen explained.
“Steve Hall, Sound Engineer of `Alice in Chain’ and `Green day’ masters the two songs `Ninda’ and `Awakashaye’ written and performed by SOL. We also remember with gratitude Recording Engineer Chathuranga Ranadatta (Montage Recordings Sri Lanka), Jed Brewer Burning House Sound (Chicago, IL) who is always encouraging us to do new things and giving us new ideas to work on. Suriya Brothers also have been ever supportive and the band will be heading to play at Suriya Brother’s Rock Saturday which will be held on July 27. There are so many to thank for what we have achieved so far including our ever supportive parents especially Sachithra’s father for bearing our loud noise,” Sajith added.
The boys concluded calling out to the music lovers and those who aspire to take up music to be bold to do what they want to do, to explore the new things, to listen to all types of music and finally to listen to their hearts where music and art live.
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