Sri Lankan heavy metal pioneers Stigmata’s year-long 25th Anniversary celebrations continued to ignite the stage with the recent conclusion of their second gig of the year – “Awaken The Storm” – at the Main Sports Bar and Restaurant – Havelock City Mall, on Saturday the 26th July.
Held amidst an electrifying atmosphere, the night delivered an immersive musical experience that left their fans breathless and craving for more. Stigmata proved once again why they remain icons in Sri Lanka’s rock and metal scene by delivering a mind-blowing performance, complete with everything from rarely-performed fan favorites to the debut of new tracks.
The evening started off with performances by two unique acts – the soulful, genre-blending husband-and-wife duo Starlit Journey, followed by the irresistibly funky Funk Island. Both acts set the tone with style and substance, a testament to Stigmata’s commitment to sharing the spotlight with other bands and musicians and celebrating musical diversity in Sri Lanka.
Once on stage, Stigmata kicked off a dynamic set that featured cuts like Thicker Than Blood from their debut Hollow Dreams, Solitude from Silent Chaos Serpentine, and Our Beautiful Decay off The Ascetic Paradox. The highlight of the night was the live premiere of brand-new track “Archetype” off their upcoming fifth studio album. The track, inspired by the work of Carl Jung and his theories of the shadow self, plunged deep into the human psyche – confronting darkness with introspective power and sonic grit. “Archetype” was a dizzying genre-busting rollercoaster full of lush harmonies, that merge with very Tool-esque prog odd time signatures, which spill into absolute face shredding heaviness.
“Archetype” follows the band’s recent hit single “Trigger”, a powerful anthem against bullying and harassment that has already made waves on platforms like TikTok, registering over 185,000 views and 25,000 likes. Together, the two songs paint a picture of a band fearlessly stepping into their next era – unafraid to tackle deep, universal themes with raw honesty and musical mastery.
Adding to the night’s magic was the return of percussionist Lahiru, now a permanent fixture in the band’s lineup. His presence elevated the band’s performance, adding explosive rhythm and fresh energy to the already intense dynamic. One of the night’s most moving moments came in the form of a heartfelt tribute to rock legend Ozzy Osbourne. Emotional and powerful, the band honored the Prince of Darkness in a way only Stigmata could — by reminding everyone that life is meant to be cherished, not wasted.
Stigmata’s Silver Jubilee celebrations are continuing throughout 2025, with plenty lined up for fans, including new music videos, limited edition merch, and international tours. With only a select number of concerts lined up in Sri Lanka, Awaken The Storm was a rare opportunity to witness the band at its most fierce, free, and unified.
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