Chitral Somapala
Encyclopedia
Chitral "Chity" Somapala (born 4 November 1966) is a Sri Lanka
n hard rock
and heavy metal
vocalist and former lead singer of power metal
band Power Quest
. He is better known for his work with the now disbanded European Power Metal
band Civilization One
. Somapala gained a limited popularity in his home country Sri Lanka due to his Sinhala language track "Nadee Ganga Tharanaye" which was released in 1998.
, Sri Lanka on 4 November 1966. Both parents, P.L.A. and Chitra Somapala were renowned Sri Lankan singers. They both contributed on the soundtrack of the film Asoka
. P.L.A. Somapala was also working as a film music composer, arranger and producer.
At the age of 10 Chitral "Chity" Somapala started with guitar lessons. He switched to electric bass with 14 years and began singing soon thereafter. At the young age of 17 he was able to hit the Top 40 nightclub circuit in Colombo, and ended up gigging with the leading bands and artists of the country.
In 1985 he joined the Sri Lankan band Shock, an alternative band founded by Diliup Gabadamudalige, the pioneer of computer based music production in Sri Lanka and main figure of the modern music scene of the country.
In 1986, Somapala traveled to Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Finland) as the bassist and singer of a Top 40 band called Rendezvous later named "Friends". The band managed to back many well known artists in these countries.
After touring for sometime from club to club, playing Top 40 Hits, he decided in 1994 to leave this scene to concentrate only as a vocalist to follow his dream of original hard rock
/heavy metal
. In 1996 he joined a popular German underground metal act called Court Jester and recorded the album Forced to Believe, which received favourable reviews throughout the European press.
(Black Sabbath
/Heaven & Hell
) and Klaus Meine
(Scorpions
).
Shortly thereafter, he joined Avalon, a German melodic power/progressive band as 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
, etc.). Avalon's third album, Vision Eden, received excellent reviews in the international press and the Vision Eden tour saw Avalon as a support act for bands like HammerFall
, Uriah Heep
, Metallica
, Motörhead, Royal Hunt
, Pink Cream 69
, and many others.
During the summer of 2000 he participated on Avalon's 4th album Eurasia under the hands of Sascha Paeth
, who is known for his work with Rhapsody
, Kamelot
, Heaven's Gate, Angra
and others. On Eurasia there can be heard some of the Asian musical influences from his home country Sri Lanka (Music of Sri Lanka
).
Besides the vocal parts on Eurasia, Somapala can be heard playing the Chapman Stick
. The release of Eurasia was followed by a European tour with Metalium
. Avalon disbanded shortly thereafter.
In 2002 he contributed the "Greenland's Theme" for the Isipathana International Rugby Championships in Sri Lanka with Frank Rohles, who happened to be the guitarist of the German Queen
tribute band Innuendo. After this session, he formed a melodic rock outfit together with Frank Rohles, called Faro. The band released Dawn of Forever through MTM Music in summer 2003, and that year he also completed the album Echoes of a Nightmare with the Swedish Symphonic Metal band Moonlight Agony
. Also in 2002, he contributed powerful and soulful vocals for several songs on the album Metanoia, an independent musical project by WOLFF. Once again, he skills as a Chapman Stick player were also used in the song "Rut System" (Metanoia).
At the end of 2003 he was auditioned by the young Greek guitar virtuso Gus G to join Firewind
for a January 2004 headling tour of Japan. After the successful Japanese tour, Gus G asked Somapala to join the band on a permanent basis, and they started sharing ideas for the third Firewind album. The result of their collaboration, Forged by Fire
entered the Japanese TOP 100 and received excellent reviews all over the world. After a tour with Hammerfall during their Ice Breaker Festivals Somapala decided to leave the band in 2005.
In 2006 he founded his own band Civilization One, which released the album Revolution Rising in 2007. Civilization One disbanded in 2010.
He is currently recording and performing with the German band Red Circuit
and the British classic rock/metal band Rekuiem
, one of the founder members of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
movement back in the 1980s.
In May 2010 Somapala joined the British power metal band Power Quest
. After, 17 months and an album release (Blood Alliance
) with Power Quest, Somapala left the band on amicable terms.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
vocalist and former lead singer of power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Power Quest
Power Quest
Power Quest is a power metal band based in the United Kingdom.-The Power Quest Demo and Wings of Forever :Power Quest was conceived in March 2001 by keyboardist Steve Williams, who had recently departed London power metal band DragonHeart...
. He is better known for his work with the now disbanded European Power Metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Civilization One
Civilization One (band)
Civilization One was launched in 2006 by singer Chitral Somapala together with guitarist Aldo Lanobile , Pierre-Emmanuel Pélisson and Luca Cartasegna...
. Somapala gained a limited popularity in his home country Sri Lanka due to his Sinhala language track "Nadee Ganga Tharanaye" which was released in 1998.
Biography
Chitral "Chity" Somapala was born into a famous musical family in ColomboColombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Sri Lanka on 4 November 1966. Both parents, P.L.A. and Chitra Somapala were renowned Sri Lankan singers. They both contributed on the soundtrack of the film Asoka
Asoka (1955 film)
-Songs:The songs were recorded by the cast for the movie and by prominent playback singers for general release:*"Katharagamey" – Sathyawathi, Dharmadasa Walpola and chorus...
. P.L.A. Somapala was also working as a film music composer, arranger and producer.
At the age of 10 Chitral "Chity" Somapala started with guitar lessons. He switched to electric bass with 14 years and began singing soon thereafter. At the young age of 17 he was able to hit the Top 40 nightclub circuit in Colombo, and ended up gigging with the leading bands and artists of the country.
In 1985 he joined the Sri Lankan band Shock, an alternative band founded by Diliup Gabadamudalige, the pioneer of computer based music production in Sri Lanka and main figure of the modern music scene of the country.
In 1986, Somapala traveled to Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Finland) as the bassist and singer of a Top 40 band called Rendezvous later named "Friends". The band managed to back many well known artists in these countries.
After touring for sometime from club to club, playing Top 40 Hits, he decided in 1994 to leave this scene to concentrate only as a vocalist to follow his dream of original hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
/heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
. In 1996 he joined a popular German underground metal act called Court Jester and recorded the album Forced to Believe, which received favourable reviews throughout the European press.
Style
Chitral has been compared favourably to Ronnie James DioRonnie James Dio
Ronald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
(Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
/Heaven & Hell
Heaven and Hell (band)
Heaven & Hell were an English and American heavy metal supergroup active from 2006 to 2010. The band was a collaboration featuring Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler along with former members Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice....
) and Klaus Meine
Klaus Meine
Klaus Meine is a German singer, best known as the lead vocalist and occasional rhythm guitarist of the heavy metal band Scorpions...
(Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
).
Work
In 1998, he contributed the song "Nadee Ganga Tharanaye" for a TV/radio commercial for the Lion beer company in Sri Lanka, which was very much in demand in the country, unique as it was a song with lyrics in Sinhala language sung with a hard rock/metal touch.Shortly thereafter, he joined Avalon, a German melodic power/progressive band as frontman and lead singer. In cooperation with others, Avalon was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind
Charlie Bauerfeind
Charlie Bauerfeind is a German sound engineer and producer who has worked mostly with power metal bands such as Angra, Blind Guardian, Helloween, Primal Fear, Rage, HammerFall and Saxon....
(who also produced such acts as Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
, Saxon
Saxon (band)
Saxon are an English heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart...
, etc.). Avalon's third album, Vision Eden, received excellent reviews in the international press and the Vision Eden tour saw Avalon as a support act for bands like HammerFall
HammerFall
HammerFall is a power metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.- Early days :...
, Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
, Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Motörhead, Royal Hunt
Royal Hunt
Royal Hunt is a progressive metal band based in Denmark, founded in 1989 by keyboardist Andre Andersen. The band is known for creating melodic music with a progressive and symphonic flair. They made a huge success during mid-90s with their classic albums Moving Target and Paradox mainly in Japan...
, Pink Cream 69
Pink Cream 69
Pink Cream 69 is a German hard rock band founded in 1987 in Karlsruhe, Germany by Andi Deris, Dennis Ward, Kosta Zafiriou and Alfred Koffler. The band gained their first contract by winning music magazine Metal Hammer 's newcomer competition in Ludwigsburg one year after forming. In 1994, Andi...
, and many others.
During the summer of 2000 he participated on Avalon's 4th album Eurasia under the hands of Sascha Paeth
Sascha Paeth
Sascha Paeth is a German guitarist, bassist, musical producer, and mixer known for working with heavy metal bands such as Avantasia, Edguy, Angra, Shaaman, Rhapsody of Fire, Kamelot, After Forever, Epica, et al...
, who is known for his work with Rhapsody
Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band led by Alex Staropoli. Since forming in 1993, the band has released eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and a live DVD...
, Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
, Heaven's Gate, Angra
Angra (band)
Angra is a Brazilian metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its symphonic interludes, highly technical instrumental playing and Brazilian regional elements.- Biography :...
and others. On Eurasia there can be heard some of the Asian musical influences from his home country Sri Lanka (Music of Sri Lanka
Music of Sri Lanka
The music of Sri Lanka originates in cultural traditions deriving from three influences: the religious practices of Buddhism, the aftereffects of Portuguese colonization, and the commercial and historical influence of Indian culture - specifically, Bollywood cinema...
).
Besides the vocal parts on Eurasia, Somapala can be heard playing the Chapman Stick
Chapman Stick
The Chapman Stick is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. A member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick usually has ten or twelve individually tuned strings and has been used on music recordings to play bass lines, melody lines, chords or textures...
. The release of Eurasia was followed by a European tour with Metalium
Metalium
Metalium was a power metal band from Hamburg, Germany. Their style of music was that of the traditional power metal sound which was pioneered in Hamburg by bands such as Helloween and Blind Guardian...
. Avalon disbanded shortly thereafter.
In 2002 he contributed the "Greenland's Theme" for the Isipathana International Rugby Championships in Sri Lanka with Frank Rohles, who happened to be the guitarist of the German Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
tribute band Innuendo. After this session, he formed a melodic rock outfit together with Frank Rohles, called Faro. The band released Dawn of Forever through MTM Music in summer 2003, and that year he also completed the album Echoes of a Nightmare with the Swedish Symphonic Metal band Moonlight Agony
Moonlight Agony
Moonlight Agony is a Swedish progressive power metal band which formed in 1999 in Kungsbacka, Sweden. Before they settled on the name Moonlight Agony they were named Thorin and Moonlight Sonata...
. Also in 2002, he contributed powerful and soulful vocals for several songs on the album Metanoia, an independent musical project by WOLFF. Once again, he skills as a Chapman Stick player were also used in the song "Rut System" (Metanoia).
At the end of 2003 he was auditioned by the young Greek guitar virtuso Gus G to join Firewind
Firewind
Firewind is a Greek power metal band. Formed in 1998, the group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist, Gus G. to showcase his demo, Nocturnal Symphony in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded...
for a January 2004 headling tour of Japan. After the successful Japanese tour, Gus G asked Somapala to join the band on a permanent basis, and they started sharing ideas for the third Firewind album. The result of their collaboration, Forged by Fire
Forged by Fire
This page is about the music group. For the novel see Forged by Fire Forged by Fire is the third full-length album by Greek power metal band Firewind and their first released through Century Media. From this album onwards, Gus G is the sole ever-present in their professional discography, following...
entered the Japanese TOP 100 and received excellent reviews all over the world. After a tour with Hammerfall during their Ice Breaker Festivals Somapala decided to leave the band in 2005.
In 2006 he founded his own band Civilization One, which released the album Revolution Rising in 2007. Civilization One disbanded in 2010.
He is currently recording and performing with the German band Red Circuit
Red Circuit
Red Circuit is a Progressive metal Supergroup from Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany. It features members and guest musicians from renowned bands such as Vanden Plas, Adagio, Firewind and Elegy. The band's debut album, Trance State, was recorded at "Bazement"- Studios near Frankfurt and released February...
and the British classic rock/metal band Rekuiem
Rekuiem
Rekuiem, formerly spelt 'Requiem', was founded in the beginning of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement in the UK by Steve Slater , Gordon Denny , Mike Reid , Karl Wilcox . The band were pioneers of this new genre of rock amongst others such as Witchfinder General, Diamond Head, Jameson...
, one of the founder members of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
movement back in the 1980s.
In May 2010 Somapala joined the British power metal band Power Quest
Power Quest
Power Quest is a power metal band based in the United Kingdom.-The Power Quest Demo and Wings of Forever :Power Quest was conceived in March 2001 by keyboardist Steve Williams, who had recently departed London power metal band DragonHeart...
. After, 17 months and an album release (Blood Alliance
Blood Alliance
Blood Alliance is the fifth studio album of the power metal band Power Quest, with recording between September/October 2010 at Foel Studios, Wales with producer Chris Fielding and released worldwide by April 2011....
) with Power Quest, Somapala left the band on amicable terms.
Discography
- 1996 - Court Jester - Forced To Believe (Allister Records)
- 1998 - Avalon - Vision Eden (Omega Records)
- 2000 - Avalon - Eurasia (Omega Records)
- 2001 - Another Piece of Metal - Tribute To Scorpions (Dwell Records)
- 2002 - ShadowkeepShadowkeepShadowkeep is a British heavy metal band, formed in Guildford, England, in 1999 by guitarists Chris Allen and Nikki Robson .-Early recordings, concerts and festival appearances:...
- A Chaos Theory - (LMP) - Backing Vocals - 2002 - WOLFF - Metanoia - (LEICO Music, LC-7701) - Guest Vocals (some songs)
- 2003 - Faro - Dawn Of Forever (MTM Music)
- 2003 - MTM Compilation - Volume 9 (MTM Music)
- 2004 - Final Chapter - The Wizard Queen (Underground Symphony) - Guest Vocals
- 2004 - Moonlight AgonyMoonlight AgonyMoonlight Agony is a Swedish progressive power metal band which formed in 1999 in Kungsbacka, Sweden. Before they settled on the name Moonlight Agony they were named Thorin and Moonlight Sonata...
- Echoes Of A Nightmare (Massacre Records) - 2004 - Mystic ProphecyMystic ProphecyMystic Prophecy is a power metal band from Bad Grönenbach, Germany. They have been described as sounding like US-power metal, similar to bands such as Iced Earth , but still without losing the melodies found in European power metal.The band was formed by Valley's Eve bandmates R.D. Liapakis and...
- Never Ending (Nuclear Blast) - Backing Vocals - 2004 - FirewindFirewindFirewind is a Greek power metal band. Formed in 1998, the group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist, Gus G. to showcase his demo, Nocturnal Symphony in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded...
- Forged By Fire (Emi/Toshiba) - 2005 - FirewindFirewindFirewind is a Greek power metal band. Formed in 1998, the group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist, Gus G. to showcase his demo, Nocturnal Symphony in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded...
- Forged By Fire (Century Media Records) - 2006 - Faro - Angelost (MTM Music)
- 2006 - Red CircuitRed CircuitRed Circuit is a Progressive metal Supergroup from Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany. It features members and guest musicians from renowned bands such as Vanden Plas, Adagio, Firewind and Elegy. The band's debut album, Trance State, was recorded at "Bazement"- Studios near Frankfurt and released February...
- Trance State (LMP) - 2007 - Civilization OneCivilization One (band)Civilization One was launched in 2006 by singer Chitral Somapala together with guitarist Aldo Lanobile , Pierre-Emmanuel Pélisson and Luca Cartasegna...
- Revolution Rising (Metal Heaven) - 2007 - Moonlight AgonyMoonlight AgonyMoonlight Agony is a Swedish progressive power metal band which formed in 1999 in Kungsbacka, Sweden. Before they settled on the name Moonlight Agony they were named Thorin and Moonlight Sonata...
- Silent Waters (Massacre Records) - 2009 - Red CircuitRed CircuitRed Circuit is a Progressive metal Supergroup from Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany. It features members and guest musicians from renowned bands such as Vanden Plas, Adagio, Firewind and Elegy. The band's debut album, Trance State, was recorded at "Bazement"- Studios near Frankfurt and released February...
- Homeland (Limb Music) - 2010 - Civilization OneCivilization One (band)Civilization One was launched in 2006 by singer Chitral Somapala together with guitarist Aldo Lanobile , Pierre-Emmanuel Pélisson and Luca Cartasegna...
- Calling the Gods (Metal Heaven) - 2011 - Power QuestPower QuestPower Quest is a power metal band based in the United Kingdom.-The Power Quest Demo and Wings of Forever :Power Quest was conceived in March 2001 by keyboardist Steve Williams, who had recently departed London power metal band DragonHeart...
- Blood Alliance (Napalm Records)
External links
- Chitral "Chity" Somapala official website (English)
- Chitral "Chity" Somapala on myspac (English)
- Civilization One (band) (English)
- Civilization One Streetteam (English)
- Rekuiem (band) (English)
- Rekuiem official website (English)
- Red Circuit (band) (English)
- Red Circuit official website
- Modern Music School
- Facebook Account