Chitral "chity" somapala

"... Chity is one of the best and most versatile vocalists to come out of the European power metal scene." Revelationz.net

More popularly known as "Chity," Chitral Somapala was born on the 4th of November 1966 to well known local artistes in folk lore music with big hits in the 50s, 60s and 70s. "My father was a film music director- he composed the music for about sixty-five movies. My mother was a singer."

At the age of 10 he took guitar lessons and switched to electric bass at the age of 14. He began singing soon thereafter, and at 17 Chity was playing gigs with the leading bands and artistes in the country of that time at the elite nightclub circuit in Colombo. his vocal heroes include Tony Martin, Ian Gillen, Robin Mcaully, Joe Lynn Turner, Dio and "all the classic rock singers of the 70s and 80s era."

In 1986, Chity travelled to Europe as the bassist and singer of a Top 40 band, playing in the biggest nightclub circuits in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Finland. The band continued to back many well known artistes in these countries as well.

In 1994 he decided to take leave of the club scene to follow his dream; he concentrated solely on being a vocalist in the hard rock/heavy metal genre. In 1996 he joined a popular German metal underground act called COURT JESTER from Trier/Germany and recorded the album Forced To Believe, which received favourable reviews throughout the European Press.

Two years later he was invited to join AVALON , a melodic power/progressive outfit from Germany as their frontman and lead singer.

In cooperation with others, AVALON was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (who also produced such acts as Helloween, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Saxon, Hammerfall etc.). AVALON's third album, Vision Eden, received excellent international press reviews and was named the CD of the Month in France, 1998 as well as the Best New Band by the Aardschok Magazine of Holland.

The Vision Eden Tour saw AVALON as a support act for bands like Hammerfall, Uriah Heep, Metallica, Motorhead, Royal Hunt, Pink Cream 69, and many other famous acts.

During the summer of 2000 AVALON together with Chity recorded their fourth album Eurasia under the skillful hands of Sascha Paeth (known for his work with Rhapsody, Kamelot, Heavan's Gate, Angra). On Eurasia there can be heard the influences of Sri Lankan music, sounds which received the best reviews by the band from the international press. Besides vocals, Chity can also be heard playing the Chapman Stick on Eurasia. The release of Eurasia was followed by a European tour with Metalium.

AVALON disbanded shortly thereafter.

In 2002 Chity contributed to the "Greenlands Theme" for the Isipathana International Rugby Championships in Sri Lanka with Frank Rohles, who happened to be the guitarist of a Queen tribute band Innuendo(now plays with We will Rock you Musical in K”ln/Germany), After this session, he formed a melodic rock outfit together with Frank called FARO.

The band released Dawn of Forever through MTM Music in the summer of 2003, and completed work on their album Echoes of a Nightmare with a Swedish symphonic metal band called MOONLIGHT AGONY.

At the end of 2003 he was auditioned by Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G to join FIREWIND for a January 2004 headlining tour of Japan. After the successful Japanese tour, Gus G asked Chity to join the band on a permanent basis, and they started discussing ideas for the third FIREWIND album.

The result of their collaboration, Forged by Fire, entered the Japanese National Charts Top 100. "Chity Somapala is a vocal god and he owns this like Bill Gates owns Microsoft," read one review of the album. The band next toured Europe with Hammerfall on ICEBREAKER FESTIVALS. Chitral left the band in the summer of 2005 sighting personal reasons.

In 2006 He released the second FARO album Angelost and with RED CIRCUIT, a Progressive supergroup including Producer Markus Teske, (Vanden Plas/Patrick Rondat/Adagio) the album Trance State.

At the moment Chity is busy with his new power metal outfit CIVILIZATION ONE including members from Italy and France. and the recording of their debut album Revolution Rising.

Chity also teaches at the Modern Music School in Trier. Germany