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| Sunday, 25 September 2005 |
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Whirlwind is Back!
by Rikaza Hassan They have been through tumultuous times that usually end up with those break-ups that leave us devastated. Yet with a major line up change that left only two of the original members, they've held on, they've returned and this time with a female vocalist as well.
The reason behind the huge break-up? "We were five very good friends and that was the biggest mistake. People change and so do their ideas, they move on to what they believe to be greener pastures," says Misha without change in expression. They write, record and produce their own music with each member putting his/her maximum effort into the final output. Their new music according to Misha (still there and still leading the outfit) ranges in between melodic and extreme death metal and guaranteed to be different. "Our music can be dark, but what we do is emphasise the dark sides to life and help people to avoid them in their own life. This is the concept which we stand for with regard to our music," says Misha firmly. The first ever metal video in Sri Lanka has already been made for the track Mindbender by no other than Whirlwind themselves. While it does not receive much airplay in Sri Lanka, it does not exactly fit into the type of music played on television, the video certainly has gone international. Reaching Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Austria among others, it has got them featured on a number of websites for the metalhead. It generated such interest that the band has been offered a European tour towards the end of the year for which of course they are on the lookout for sponsorship. The new album, to be expected soon, is to be totally in English unlike their first bilingual seller, Vedana (Pain). "It is going to be a most awkward album," they reassure me. "We're already working on two more videos." However be aware because Whirlwind will only be producing ten albums before they called it stops. It is their belief that within these half score of releases their message to the masses will be complete. Their life as musicians? "We're doing something for ourselves, and we'll keep on doing it till we drop." *** keyboards - Umesh (25) The only other member remaining from the former line up, Umesh is a professional musician. He is involved in compositions of veteran musicians in the local oriental music industry. Home and studio located in Polonnaruwa, he is dedicated to his music: "Music is my life." Very versatile, he is able to switch between the two extremely different music genres without a sweat. **** Rhythmn guitar - Inde (25) An IT administrator by profession, he has been playing guitar since the age of 8. Inde also plays oriental music and is a Visharada. Supposedly religious, he loves watching science fiction and horror movies. He always loves all the women in the world. *** Base guitar - Chandi (21) Blessed with a hearty appetite and the gift of not putting on the weight (wonder why?), this telemarketer has been a part of the local music industry for a long time. He is influenced by just about every type of music. His favourite bands are Cradle of Filth, Lamb of God and Iron Maiden. *** Vocals - Maria (17) She started out as a dancer and has been a female vocalist in many a band since age 13. Formerly a huge fan of pop music, she has now switched to heavier music: "it has a lot of depth and is complex." An avid reader, Maria is a huge fan of Jane Austen and the Harry Potter books. She will be having her solo album out soon and is currently learning guitar from her boyfriend who is the leader of a metal band that begins with the letter W. *** Lead guitar, vocals - Misha (23) The lyricist and decision maker of Whirlwind, Misha runs his own advertising and record company, GD Records. He has been playing since the age of 13 and can play the keyboard, drums, mouth organ, guitar, violin; he is self taught. He however believes that he has a lot more to learn and improve. "Metal is the most complex style of music. That's why I like it." *** Drums - Tharaka (19) Scheduled to complete his A/Ls in the coming months, he attends Wesley College. When it comes to school, tuition classes and band practices, he walks a very tight roped balancing act and then some cramming. The 'funny guy' of the band, he reputedly has many female friends though has trouble finding someone steady. |
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