Music band:

The Real Heaven!

by Nilma Dole

Funeral in Heaven (FIH) was in existence in 2002 when rockers Chathuranga Fonseka and the former bass guitarist Enda thought about giving birth to a band to take on the black metal scene. FIH might portray an image that most would think as 'Satanic' but breaking the stereotype and emphasizing that black metal is yet another genre of music is what they like to say.

Actually, they ought to be commended on their efforts to uplift the underground metal scene and even reaching ravers in the faraway hills of Kandy. Unlike your average rock bunch, FIH encompasses the electrifying Chathuranga Fonseka who is an artful screecher who kicks up all the inspiration words to sing.

Young Vinodh Perera is the cute drummer while Ayesh Perera is the attitude-problematic rhythm guitarist. Rogger Schales is a Sri Lankan-born Indian who is going to open his own studio, 'Empyre' and he plays as their lead guitarist. It is a pretty decent-looking band with a twist titled 'Hella Metal'. This is explained by Chathuranga "This term was coined with influences of the war and the dark past we have in Sri Lanka".

This fan following is growing in popularity because "We play what we want and not what the authorities want", ends Chathuranga. Says Chathuranga "We want to create something new and do our own thing" and their heavy influences are Venom, Immortal and Mayhem.

They say that they want to ask radio stations to play their music as a result of a loyal fanclub. Their maiden effort 'Demo 2006 - Blasphemy of our Throne' was the first taste of heads to bang and ripples to wave across the air. Many are familiar with 'Maledication of Veracity' and more songs off that include 'Origin of Evil', 'Blood of Judas' and 'Memento Mori'.

"Two new originals will also come up in our next album, that will be released by the end of this year, hopefully," they chorus. New tracks include 'Winds of Uva' as a tribute to their country and regarding their compositions and stuff, they say "It talks about riff and the what we feel about melancholic issues".

Their dudes do focus on careers and academia despite music running in their veins. Chaturanga is studying at a leading college and Vinodh is just A/L qualified. Dimuthu and Ayesh are focusing on working careers while Rogger is an artist and a music producer.

The advice they give is "Share your music with others and don't care about how much people try to bring you down." Also, they say "Play your own style and believe in what you are doing". Rogger advises, "Use negative comments to make positive outcomes". He says that he likes to help up-and-coming bands and help give them a platform.

Their session guitarist Jospeh de Alwis has been with them while Fallen Grace has hero-worshipped FIH all the way.

They acknowledge their family, friends and fans for their loyalty and support.