Ahhhhhh it's good to be back... it's good to be able to write something/anything again.
It's not until I've had to go on for a few days without being able to be online that it really takes a swerve, swings around and hits me right where it hurts, to realize how dependent I've become on the internet... and especially my blog. It's my portal for self therapy.. so I say... however a great many of you who do frequent my blog would know it's hardly suffice to just dub it as mere 'therapy'.

Our PC was bust in the last few days prohibiting me from being on line and it was a real BIATCH 'cos it's a busy time for Stigmata; we're negotiating some tours abroad (one in May, two in July and more in the pipeline)and have been pretty busy fine tuning the rest of our new tracks to resume the recording process again.

But most of all it's about this very special gig called "Our Silent Revolution" we are staging this Saturday the 18th April 2009 (erherm tomorrow) at a very cool venue called the 'Punchi Theater'. Granted it is not the traditional choice for a Metal concert 'cos this venue is synonymous with plays, dramas, literature days and eastern music performances so this is their first REAL Rock 'n Roll show. Snarrrrrrl.

The owners who are veterans in the Sinhalese theater industry are super psyched (as much as we are) that there's gonna be a Metal gig at their funky venue. So much so that they've got a chef exclusively for the evening who will make reasonable portions of bites at reasonable rates for our fans. And as they are stoked so are we... Let me tell you why -

The Punchi Theater is a killer venue because its built for theater and therefore the acoustics are brilliant. Which makes a big difference from the usual clubs that we stage shows at where either the owners need an attitude adjustment or a crash course in building customer relations. Either way the acoustics are more often than not shit at these clubs simply 'cos its built for DJ music.

Next the venue has ample parking for 70 vehicles whereas many "hip" clubs don't offer that much parking in any case.

The Punchi Theater has a 60, 000 watt generator and its Air Conditioned.

It's a nice venue with a downstairs and balcony where once the chairs are cleared out from the hall it should be able to hold 400-500 people in there.

Of course the place doesn't offer alcohol which I was thinking is fine 'cos the club/pub rates here are so ridiculous that its unaffordable and impractical to spend as much as clubs expect people to even on a bottle of water. So we've given out a set time from 7.30pm-11.30pm (which means it'll roughly go on till 12) and we've got a great new bill this time. Remember my blog post where I stated that we've helped out so many bands from here who don't have an iota of gratitude? Well we've started availing opportunities to new, talented bands who do appreciate it. We have the pleasure of featuring two awesome acts this time and an odd combo that makes for an interesting bill nevertheless: Kross a Gospel Rock band that specializes in Maiden and Sabbath covers as well and Forsaken a Thrash Band and Kandy's first Metal band of that ilk.

I must confess a guilty pleasure... I am a full on Thrash baba. I love my Thrash and I carry its flag like a true patriot. How can anyone argue with "Rust in Peace" and "Countdown to Extinction", "Master of Puppets" and "...And Justice for All", "Seasons in the Abyss", "The Gathering"... It's the elixir of breakneck anthems, adrenaline pumping opiate for the undernourished soul and great risks taken in the name of unpredictability. What can I say? I need my proteins right? I am a growing likkle angel ain't I?

So Kross and Forsaken will both play a set each and then Stigz will perform a no holds barred one and a half hour-two hour set. I don't get nervous for gigs anymore - none of us do. Not in the last 6-7 years... but we do get pre-gig jitters; that feeling of bats and cosmic butterflies doing swan dives which has more to do with other facets of the gig really. 'Cos I've mentioned how we are self managed and we do EVERYTHING for the event from the promotions, advertising, organizing, sound and light checks, sorting security to everything in between so one can really never know exactly how things will turn up till the gig really kick starts and ricochets to life. But if all those things fall into place then it makes for a pretty kick ass fucking gig... because at the end of the day everyone needs to put aside their differences, their dilemmas and pains and just be a part of one family - one universal fabric that never comes apart at the seams at a true Metal gig. Plus there's enough energy to set off a nuclear explosion so... :>>

Aiyooooo I miss my SPARKY :wave:

That statement was absolutely irrelevant. Anyway... Stigmata are playing after a 4 month hiatus and we can't wait to let hell tear lose. As usual though one of our gigs wouldn't be the same without a wonderful array of tragedy and in the last week apart from the PC getting bust and a long, tedious Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday which stretched for 5 days (and I find it repulsive really 'cos a string of holidays like that dead center in April fucks up the motion of a LOT of things) and our drummer who works at a bank was stationed to his home town in Kandy for that time and so we couldn't rehearse. Then before the holiday stretch our drummer met with a bike accident and has now kicked back and his playing at his finest, then there's my busted knee cap - which I've been told not to exert for a while more so I guess I'll be expecting it to go "SNAP" at some point during the gig... what things to look forward to.

Meanwhile I've quite diligently acquainted myself with a beautiful, gifted, obstinate, pseudo-cynical, fairly sadistic school teacher who has charmed me enormously. If you know me and I believe words DO speak louder than actions at times - I am not usually enamored by women to actually waste blogging space on them. However this one is sharp, quick tongued and showcases a rather dubious sense of irony which makes her ever more so adorable. She's got great personality and is also a bit cuckoo which makes for a very stimulating cocktail. I'll just leave it at that... I've not been inclined or even found the impetus to reenact my 'Oh... now that's what I call prey. Do I have thy permission to hunt thee down ma'am?' mode.

And LADIES I've forgotten how to flirt?!? No really. :lalala: Whatever you have to say... it's the truth. I am clearly the victim in this rare occasion.

So the gig's tomorrow... there's so much to do... and we are playing some tunes we've not performed in a long while so there's much to look forward to. So be good or bad (pick your choice), have fun over the weekend, have great, great sex, and never expect more than you're willing to give...

MUAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Time to fucking shatter the serene. So off I am to do what I do best.

Long Live Rock 'n Roll

:>