Mizraab

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Mizraab
Band Logo
Background information
Origin	Karachi, Pakistan
Genre(s)	Progressive Metal Progressive Rock
Years active	1996 - Present
Label(s)	Sonic: Pakistan Sadaf Stereo
Website	http://www.mizraabianz.com/
Members
Faraz Anwar Irfan Charlie Shahzad Naseem Faraz Arshad
Former members
Jamal Mustafa Khalid Khan Akhtar Qayyum

Mizraab is a Progressive Metal band from Pakistan. Mizraab means "A plectrum made by hand from a continuous strand of iron used to strike the strings of the sitar".

1 History
2 Band Members
3 Discography
- 3.1 Albums
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History

Mizraab, born in late 90’s, is a revolutionary name in the Pakistani music industry. The idea was to break the silence and inaugurate the influential genre of progressive rock/metal in the Pakistani scene. The individual who immersed the brick was none other than Pakistan’s guitar-theurgist Faraz Anwar.

Igniting the metal flame in the Pakistani music industry, Mizraab released their first album Panchi in January 2000. But, due to musical obliviousness in the local industry, Panchi couldn’t make an impression and the band was torn apart. Faraz, left with the name "Mizraab" carried on the journey to conquer the vale of musical sovereign.

From there Faraz began working on a solo project. He put together a couple of songs and in the summer of 1999 he went to Lahore to record his project at Digital Fidelity Studios. The compositions shocked everyone at the studio because they felt the material was good. But after Faraz unleashed his new work, all notions of keeping the old one were silenced. "It totally blew me away," says Jamie who was working at Mekaal Hassan's Studio at that time. It was sometime around the year 2000 when Faraz recorded and released An Abstract Point of View on Gnarly Geezer - an American based record label owned by well-known guitar player Allan Holdsworth. The album got rave reviews from musicians all over the world hailing Faraz as a great guitar find from Asia.

In march 2004, the band's new lineup with Faraz under the spot light yet again, unleashed their second and highly acclaimed anthology titled Mazi Haal Mustaqbil, which was to be the first progressive/experimental concept album by any musical entity in Pakistan. The release cracked the roots of the homogenous traditional ear and was greatly criticized and loved. Being the first true metal-fusion release in the industry, Mizraab soon became the force that stimulated and awakened the senses of those with passion and energy for the philosophy of music.

Mizraab Live in Concert.

To date, Mizraab has lightened the screen with six music videos including the mega-hits “Kitni Sadiyaan” and Panchi. Kitni Sadiyaan has also been played at MTV Asia through which the band has gained enormous appreciation and a strong fan following in India, UAE, UK and USA. Ever since “Mazi Haal Mustaqbil” was released, the band has attracted a huge audience through their breath taking and energetic live performances all over Pakistan and UAE.

Currently the band has locked themselves in the studio preparing to introduce another phrase in the South Asian music history by writing new material for their long awaited next album. Currently the production phase has almost been done and the band is nearly finished with the process of encrypting another masterpiece to be gifted to the listeners. The anticipated time of release is early 2007 and the fans are keeping their fingers crossed expecting the unexpected from the musicians they worship.

[edit] Band Members

Faraz Anwar - Vocals & Lead Guitars

Faraz Anwar is recognized internationally for his guitar playing. He is also one of the best progressive rock/metal vocalist in Pakistan. He has worked with more than 48 different artists as a session player.

Faraz Arshad - Rhythm Guitars

Faraz Arshad was a student of Faraz Anwar. He later joined the band as a bass player when Khalid Khan left the band. Now he performs as a Rhythm Guitarist for Mizraab.

Irfan Ahmad - Drums

Irfan a.k.a Charlie has been with the band since it was formed. He has worked as a session player for different artists ex. Strings, Sajjad Ali etc and is perhaps the most experienced percussionist in Pakistan today.

Shahzad Naseem - Bass

Shahzad, the newest addition to the line-up has been a part of Karachi Underground scene for over a decade and a half now. With a diverse line of influences from 80’s rock to the new metal, he brings another bounce to the sound to help broadens the existing wave length of the band by putting in another pinch of a boost. Shahzad has worked with several underground bands in Karachi, UK and Germany and is an addition of a technical ear in the Pakistani music industry.