Faraz Anwar

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Faraz Anwar

Born	July 15, 1977 Karachi, Pakistan
Genre(s)	Progressive Metal, Jazz, Instrumental Rock
Affiliation(s)	Mizraab (1996-Present) Dusk (1994-2004)
Years active	1989 - Present
Official site	www.farazanwar.com

Faraz Anwar (born 15th July, 1977) is a Pakistani Progressive Metal guitarist known for his solo instrumental work and his band Mizraab.

1 Biography
2 Session Playing
3 Own Projects/Bands
4 Discography
- 4.1 Abstract Point Of View (2001)
- 4.2 Untitled (Internet Release)
5 Videos
6 External links

[edit] Biography

Faraz Anwar was born on 15th July, 1977 in Karachi. In 6th grade he decided to pick-up guitar playing after seeing a video of guitar vitruoso Yngwie Malmsteen on TV. Faraz got his education from St. Paul and St. Andrews, but left after his matriculation because he wanted to pursue a career in music.

[edit] Session Playing

Faraz Anwar started off his career in 1990 as a session guitarist playing for many different musicians. Some of the musicians that he worked for are as follow:

Arsh, Awaz, Adnan Afaq, Ali Haider, Arid Zone, Athar Ali, Alamgir, Circle, Collage, Deciples, Dominos, Faizi, Fariha Pervaiz, Final Cut, Fringe Benefits, Goonj, Hassan Ali, Haroon, Heart Communication, Humainyo Naz, Imik, John Mall, Junoon, Junaid Jamshed, Khalid Waheed, Komal Rizvi, Live Sketches, Lucky Ali, Masood Aley, Nadeem Kazmi, Nadeem Jafri, Najam Sheraz, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Overdrive, Power House, Rahil, Sajjad Ali, Sanwal, Seema, Shargeel Khan, Shahzad Mughal, Shiraz Upal, Strings, Uzma Shah, Vital Signs, Waqar Ali, Yatagan.

[edit] Own Projects/Bands

Mizraab (Progressive Metal)
Dusk (Doom Metal/Progressive Metal)
Yasir & Faraz (Eastern Neo Classical)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Abstract Point Of View (2001)

Abstract Point Of View Album Cover.

His solo album,"Abstract Point of View" got him known internationally. It was released on Gnarly Geezer Records in 2001 owned by the legendary guitar player Allan Holdsworth. According to Faraz, "It's nothing but me. This album is a part of me. Sometimes it's aggressive and at times it's romantic". And the thing that gave him utmost satisfaction was the fact that Allan Holdsworth appreciated him. He is a self-proclaimed disciple of Allan. Getting the appreciation of someone, whom you consider as your inspirational teacher is something. This album got him a place among Gnarly Geezer Artists. These are all Jazz-Fusion artists. Jazz is considered to be the most difficult genre of music. This is a solo album in the real sense of the word. He wrote all the music & sequenced all the tracks himself. It was recorded in DFS in just four months. He hasn't played this album live yet. When asked why, his answer was "There are no artists who can play live, the sequenced bass and drums on the album".

Track List

Through the passage of time - (12:44 min)
Maze - (4:53 min)
Prophet - (6:56 min)
Don't let your spirit die - (5:30 min)
Last Summer - (4:46 min)
Why? - (10:28 min)

[edit] Untitled (Internet Release)

Untitled Album Cover.

This album was recorded in 1995-96 and was released by Mizraab's fan site in 2004. Faraz Anwar recorded this album when he was 16 years old. The release of this album in the 90's was impossible and that is why the album couldn't release.

Time passed and Faraz Anwar's style of music kept chaning and he decided not to release this album. But in 2004 the fans borrowed the album from him and released it on their website.

Track List

Don't Know - (6:32 min)
Show Me The Way - (5:30 min)
Reason - (3:57 min)
Hearts Of Darkness - (5:28 min)
Spanish Eyes - (2:27 min)
Strong Believe - (2:42 min)
Where Am I? - (4:54 min)
Invasion - (4:35 min)
Roshni - (4:58 min)
Aankhon Main - (4:21 min)
No Where To Go - (5:50 min)

Screenshot: Through The Passage of Time [Video]‎

[edit] Videos

Faraz Anwar - Through The Passage Of Time
Directed by: Babar Sheikh

Recorded in 2001, the video was released by Gnarly Geezer Records on its website and the video comes with the album CD. Concept of the video is very slick and portrays the life of a human being from birth to death.

Dial Up Version: Click Here

Broadband Version: Click Here