In the midst of Sri Lanka’s darkest chapter—a nation grappling with a civil war fueled by division and fear—a group of six teenagers dared to dream differently. Formed in 1995, Whirlwind emerged as a metal band in an era when the genre was not just unpopular but stigmatized as a symbol of rebellion and even demon worship. Amid societal skepticism and an indifferent local music industry, they forged their path, turning personal struggles into powerful, boundary-breaking art.
Led by Misha Wickramanayake on vocals and guitar, and joined by Chanaka “Chunky” Abeyratne on guitar, Chandimal “Chandu” Fernando on bass, and Chathuranga “Piti” Pitigala on drums, Whirlwind formed a tight-knit collective with a shared vision. Each member’s unique contribution added a new layer to their sound, creating a synergy that fueled their rise in a scene that wasn’t ready for them.
Whirlwind’s music was more than just heavy; it was revolutionary. Drawing on the fragmented reality of a war-torn age, the band pioneered Sri Metal, a genre that combined heavy metal’s raw energy with Sri Lanka’s multilingual and multicultural culture. Their pioneering efforts have not only generated a thriving subculture, but have also established them as trailblazers in both the country’s music and the fight for unity via art.
The band has always been fearless when it comes to breaking genre boundaries, exploring unique themes and styles along the way. In the early 2000s, for example, Whirlwind drew inspiration from iconic Death Metal and Black Metal bands, blending those influences into their own music. However, these days, the idea of sticking to any one genre rarely crosses their minds when composing. After spending decades together as a band, it’s more about creating music that feels natural and resonates with the concepts they envision. The themes they explore are deeply personal—often rooted in the things that impact their lives and the knowledge they’ve gained over time. Staying true to themselves, both as individuals and as a band, has allowed Whirlwind to create music that’s authentic and unique, rather than forcing themselves into predefined boxes. Tribal grooves and rhythms naturally find their place within this mix, reflecting their cultural heritage and adding an extra layer of richness to their evolving sound.
When asked about the evolution of the band’s musical style, from their first-ever original Sinhalese Rock/Metal album, Vedana, to their more recent release, Unleashed, Misha explained that Vedana was the album that set them on this path. “It’s like looking at a photograph of us 20 years ago,” he said. Both he and his bandmates have matured significantly since then, both personally and musically. The contrast is striking when they play a song from Vedana alongside a new single—the roots are still clearly there, but the execution has evolved dramatically. Whirlwind began by pushing boundaries and creating something new, and they continue to embrace change by not confining themselves to any set sound or pattern. The most exciting part is that no matter how much they’ve changed, the essence of Vedana remains, echoing through every new composition. It’s this authenticity that defines their music, and that’s what it’s always been about.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Whirlwind’s music is their ability to seamlessly incorporate Sinhalese lyrics into metal, which led to the creation of the unique genre ‘Sri Metal’. This genre redefined the very essence of music by breaking free from long-established norms that had dominated for decades. Sri Metal remains the band’s exclusive sub-genre to this day, and its significance runs deeper than just being labeled as Sri Lankan or Sinhalese Metal. While many may assume that the Sinhalese lyrics are what define Sri Metal, this is only one facet of it. The core of Sri Metal lies in the powerful message it conveys—a perspective shaped by the experiences of a third-world nation, communicated through music that speaks to the human condition.
Sri Metal is a multilingual genre that blends Sinhala lyrics with words from various other languages. Sinhala itself has roots in Sanskrit, one of the oldest known languages, and has inspired the evolution of numerous other languages. When examining these languages side by side, you’ll find that many vocabularies and meanings resonate harmoniously. This interconnectedness is why Sinhalese is the essential ingredient of Sri Metal.
The genre often incorporates Pāli, an ancient language associated with the Buddhist Pāli Canon or Tripitaka. Whirlwind believes in the power of words and their spiritual properties. When spoken with emotion-driven tonalities and paired with melody, words have the ability to manifest profound meaning. Sri Metal carries a unifying, uplifting message that rises from dark emotions—a cry for liberation from societal constraints. Coming from a country that has lived through the devastating consequences of war, Whirlwind’s music serves as a call for unity, transcending divisions created by race, religion, culture, and politics.
This genre has paved the way for countless other bands to embrace their mother tongue in their music, giving rise to sub-genres like Hella Metal and Hella Black Metal in Sri Lanka. It has also influenced many commercial bands and artists to explore and incorporate Sinhala Rock into their work.
In 2004, Whirlwind made history by releasing Sri Lanka’s first-ever metal music video, “Mindbender”—a milestone that marked a turning point in both the band’s journey and the local music scene. The single and its video were the first project the band produced entirely on their own, recorded in a home studio they had built themselves. It was a reflection of their commitment to making music independently, given the lack of genre-specific professional production, guidance, and financial resources at the time. When “Mindbender” was included in the second Rock Company Compilation in 2004, it quickly became known as one of the heaviest, fastest, and most extreme tracks in the local scene, rapidly gaining traction within the metal community.
What made “Mindbender” even more significant was that it became the first-ever metal music video in Sri Lanka, entirely self-produced by the band with the help of their close friends and fans. The experience taught them the importance of collaboration and teamwork, pushing them to grow both as musicians and as people. While the video might not have had the highest production value, it was born from pure ambition and creative drive, and that energy carried them forward. That early collaboration inspired them to build their own production team, which has been a key part of their evolution as artists ever since.
As Misha Wickramanayake, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, put it, “It wasn’t the best music video production or a visually rich composition, but it was purely the result of ambition-driven collaboration. That experience taught us the value of teamwork and set us on a path of growth and creativity we never anticipated.” This mindset, born from humble beginnings, helped shape Whirlwind into the groundbreaking force they are today.
While metal music is often confined to the rigid boundaries of brutal and extreme subgenres, Sri Metal offers a refreshing departure. It’s a unique blend that is not only conceptually driven but emotionally charged, breaking free from the typical limitations of modern metal. Whirlwind, influenced by a mix of cultures, has crafted a sound that defies the usual expectations. By the end of their first decade in the industry, it was clear that they wouldn’t conform to the role of just another underground band, churning out the same old content. Their conceptual approach set them apart, allowing them to explore deeper, more meaningful themes rather than recycling tired tropes.
Yet, despite their distinct path, Whirlwind’s impact extends well beyond the confines of the local scene. Their journey proves that there’s always space to create a unique sound that bridges both Western and Eastern influences, regardless of where you’re from. Ultimately, their music speaks to something more profound than culture, race, or religion—there’s a shared vibrational connection that binds all of humanity together.
As Whirlwind continued to break barriers and shape their own path, they found a partner in Good Loud Media (GLM) that truly understood their vision and helped them bring it to life on a larger scale. Signing with GLM in 2023 marked a pivotal moment for the band, and the collaboration has since been a major influence on their journey. Misha shares, “They always have our best interests at heart and do everything they can to bring our creative nuances to light.” Unlike many horror stories that surround the music industry, Whirlwind feels incredibly fortunate to work with GLM, where their visions, values, and goals align seamlessly. This partnership has opened doors for Whirlwind that would have otherwise remained closed, allowing them to take their music to new heights.
As for the creative process, GLM has played a supportive role rather than dictating the band’s direction. “They don’t control our sound; they help us achieve the outcomes we’ve always dreamed of,” Misha explains. With GLM’s guidance, Whirlwind has been able to refine and expand upon their unique sound, pushing their boundaries while staying true to their roots.
In October 2024, the band released “Forbidden by Thy Forlorn” as their first single and music video under GLM, addressing the global issue of human trafficking. This release highlights the quality and talent the band was able to access thanks to their partnership with GLM. The song was produced and recorded at Lagom Productions in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with additional production by Jed at Burning House Sound in Chicago. The guitar and bass production was handled by Mike in Los Angeles, with Phil contributing additional guitar production in San Francisco. Audio editing was done by Nadisha in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and the track was mixed by Jed. Mastering was completed by Vlado in Charleston, South Carolina.
With such a talented team behind them, “Forbidden by Thy Forlorn” is more than just a track—it’s a testament to what can be achieved when artists find the right support to bring their vision to life. The project was executive produced by Jed, Ashen, and Good Loud Media, marking a new chapter in Whirlwind’s journey and solidifying their place in the global music scene.
The Sri Lankan music scene has evolved a lot over the past three decades. When Whirlwind first started, rock and metal were considered taboo, not really seen as “proper” music. But the alternative rock boom in the late 90s and early 2000s changed things, helping to broaden the audience and giving rise to more bands, both in the original and cover music scenes. Fast forward to today, and there’s a much more open-minded approach to music—people are willing to listen to all kinds of genres, no matter how they’re labeled.
With these changes, things have gotten better for the industry. Good quality equipment is more accessible, there are plenty of venues to perform at, and artists have a wealth of platforms to promote their music. It’s definitely an improvement. But with so much going on in the industry now, it can be tough for artists to stay relevant. That’s the biggest challenge Whirlwind sees today. But Misha believes it’s something that can be overcome through collaboration and community support. “Together we are strong, together we are loud!” he says.
When asked about the future of rock and metal in Sri Lanka, Misha shared an optimistic view, noting the steady global recognition Sri Lankan metal has gained in recent years. He credits this to a small but dedicated group of bands who have kept the scene alive through the decades with consistent music and live performances. As Misha put it, “the very groundwork has been laid, influencing newer bands to form and encouraging more artists to explore the genre.”
According to Misha, technology has leveled the playing field in a way that the language or location of an artist no longer plays a significant role in their musical exposure. Instead, it’s the content that matters most. He believes it’s up to the next generation of musicians to keep pushing boundaries, creating unique sounds, and exploring a broader range of topics to further elevate the scene.
As Whirlwind reflects on their path, they take a moment to acknowledge the many people who have been integral to their growth. They express their gratitude to their peers, whose influence has shaped their music, and to their families for their endless support, allowing them to pursue their passion fearlessly. They also thank their loyal fans around the world who have stood by them, believing in their music and vision.
The band gives special thanks to Mr. Harrold Fernando, their first producer at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, and Mr. Ajith Perera from Rock Company, who helped them take their first steps in the industry. Their current label, Good Loud Media (USA), and producers Mr. Jed Brewer and Mr. Ashen Sandaru have played a significant role in bringing their sound to a wider audience.
They also want to recognize their incredible visual production team, led by Mr. Mahinda Abeysinghe, for their dedication and artistic vision that has helped bring Whirlwind’s music to life in new and exciting ways. It is through these partnerships and their unwavering drive that Whirlwind continues to push the limits of creativity and leave a lasting impact on the music world.
