The crowds raced to the edge of the stage, some clutched at the ankles of the performers, some even clamored on to the stage to touch the Olympian force that was beckoning them so irresistibly and so thunderously. A new experience flooded the Onstage tribute to local talent. And it swelled into a pulsating mosh pit as thousands of fans greedily consumed their fill of the rich and complex layers of metal magic.

That was the Civilization One effect on the finals of last year’s TNL Onstage. And that’s why its no small wonder that they are back for more at this year’s Finals.

Musical icon and metal hero, Chitral Somapala will once again headline the Finals of TNL Onstage on 31^st October, with his band Civilization One, which now has a new line up.

And since every Onstage is set up to keep getting bigger than its predecessor, this year, the band will not only bring to Sri Lanka their most raging hits on a one-night only exclusive performance, but Chitral Somapala will release to the country a compilation album of his best singles, called The Works, which will be the first release from TNL’s new record label, Criminal Records.

Chitral Somapala – the Sri Lankan legend of rock and roll.

Chitral Somapala is a legend in his own rite. Born to a famous classical music family, Chitral has jammed his way through many musical endeavors and milestones since his teenage years. Having performed at many popular nightclubs in Colombo in an era when live entertainment was only just beginning to rediscover its appeal to the lifestyle of the young and the musically-crazed in Sri Lanka, Chitral also lent his talents as a bassist to a local band called Friends in the mid 1980’s, which was one of the few local outfits that toured internationally. Chitral during these early years played a very unassuming role, but the quiet storm of talent within, was beginning to gain gale-like force.

Chitral grew up to bludgeon the European heavy metal scene as he began a gripping pursuit of his original passion, hard rock and heavy metal. Joining various top metal bands in Europe, including Court Jester, Avalon and Firewind, Chitral quickly earned a reputation for being one of the most talented and creative musicians to enter the European metal scene. He is also the mentor for so many upcoming bands and artists in Sri Lanka and a living testimony, that even if you are born in a small country like Sri Lanka, if you follow your musical instinct, you can still make a thundering impression on the world around you.

Chitral is now fronting his band, Civilization One, which is back with a new line up, as a guest artist for the finals of TNL Onstage Season 10.