Nemesis (Sri Lankan band)

Nemesis is a heavy metal band based in Colombo, Sri Lanka originally formed in 2006.

Biography

Nemesis was founded in 2006 by Tharindu Mathew. Their genre is a mix of heavy metal, hard rock and acoustic rock and blues.

With the addition of Drummer Trevor Kanagaratnam and vocalist Ruwan Jayakody, and with the help of many session Bassists, the band began performing at various popular Rock events around Colombo City.

During the latter part of 2005, Nemesis joined Rock Company, a popular record label in the country that has dedicated itself to promoting local rock musicians. The band continued performing at several Rock Company concerts, alongside popular Sri Lankan Heavy metal giants Stigmata.

In the months that followed, the band released their highly successful Debut Demo single titled Prison Diary, which has been well received and widely appreciated by fans & critics in the Sri Lankan music industry. Prison Diary has also been featured on Sri Lanka's No 1 Rock Website, Rock.LK

The bands' genre during this period of time was dubbed as Heavy metal, with their influences ranging from Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Death, Slayer, Opeth, all the way to Jason Becker, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.

However, in the years that followed, the band went through many lineup changes. July 2006 saw the departure of drummer Trevor Kanagaratnam for higher studies. And in September 2006, Loshaarn Bastian was announced as the permanent bassist of the band.

Along with Session drummer Tharaka Senieveratne (Tantrum, ex- Whirlwind), in November 2006 the band competed in TNL ONSTAGE 2006, the biggest ever concert in the country that is staged annually.

Soon afterwards, Vocalist Ruwan Jayakody left the ranks of Nemesis due to personal reasons. Drummer Chathura Eggala joined the band filling up the void of a permanent drummer. Nemesis began auditioning for vocalist during the following months. The lack of a vocalists caused frustration within the band, which gradually led to the departure of guitarist Matheesha Herath. Thus bringing the band to a temporary hiatus.

In October 2007 Mihindu Ariyaratne was officially announced as new the vocalist cum guitarist of Nemesis, bringing a more eastern influenced sound into the band. Nemesis have since made headlines in many popular Sri Lankan magazines and newspapers.

The band's genre has now progressed into a BLEND of differnt genres including elements of Blues, Eastern music, Progressive metal to even Acoustic Music. Their lyrics address topics such as Love, and the on going war on terror that has affected the country.

Discography

Studio releases

  • The Untold Story (Debut album to be released later this year.)

Singles

  • Prison Diary - (2006)
  • The Love Song - (2006)
  • I Talk To The Wind - (2006)
  • Half Cocked - (2007, Nemesis' first ever blues incorporated single)
  • Chakithaya (the betrayal) - (2007)
  • Guilt Trip - (2008)

Line-up

  • Mihindu Ariyaratne - Vocals/Guitars (2007- )
  • Mackie Mathew - Lead Guitar (2005- )
  • Loshaarn Bastian - Bass Guitar (2006- )
  • Sithija Dilshan - Drums (2008- )

Former members

  • Matheesha Herath - Rhythm Guitar (2005-2007)
  • Ruwan Jayakody - Vocals (2005-2007)
  • Trevor Kanakaratne - Drums (2005-2006)
  • Chathura Eaggala - Drums (2006-2007)
  • Suresh De Silva - Backup Vocals/Triangle {2005-2007}