Stentorian

Stentorian
From left to right: Rabiul Awal Real, James Kabir, Tutul Rashid, Rafiul Habib, Anabeel Sen.
Background information
Origin	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Genres	Hard Rock , Heavy Metal
Years active	2001-present
Labels	G-series
Associated acts	Aurthohin, Black, Yaatri
Website	[http://www.reverbnation.com/stentorianbd [http://www.facebook.com/stentorian [http://stentorianbd.wordpress.com
Members	James Kabir Rafiul Habib Anabeel Sen Tutul Rashid Rabiul Awal Real
Past members	Torsha Khan Golam Waise Shams Alim Biswas Bobby Khan Tanim Sufyani

Stentorian (Bengali: স্টেনটোরিয়ান) is a Heavy Metal band from Bangladesh formed in the early 2001.^[1][2][3][4] Stentorian released one commercially successful album Protimuhurtey in 2005 and several commercially successful singles. Their most notable songs include Adrissho Juddho, Bishonno Adhaar, Bidrohi, Jolosrot, Anubhuti, Mone pore na and most recently Chhobi.^[5][6] Stentorian is regarded as one of the pioneers of underground heavy metal music movement which re-energized heavy metal in Bangladesh in this current decade.^[7] Perhaps Stentorian is most notable for being led by three of the greatest Bangladeshi rock vocalists of all time, Real, Torsha and Tanim"^[8][9] and for their commercially successful single Bishonno Adhaar where they featured Sumon from Aurthohin.^[10]

Stentorian is typically classified as heavy metal, but it ranges from soft rock, power ballad to thrash metal and most recently progressive metal. Stentorian's approach has remained the same over the band's career, preferring to play what they enjoy and do best; their appreciation of early rock and heavy metal is reflected in some of their occasional cover songs.^[11] Stentorian's heavy metal lyrics typically cover such topics as war, good versus evil, abuse of power, psychological depression, social disorder and politics. Stentorian’s popular soft music lyric contains love, affection and emotional appeal.

History

2001-2003: Early years

Stentorian's first line-up had Torsha Khan (Vocals), James Kabir (guitar), Shams Alim Biswas (bass), Golam (guitar), and Bobby Khan (drum). After hard practice and patience of 10 months Stentorian got their first ever break at a concert in the Indian High Commission Auditorium, Dhaka (27 October 2001). From the very first show, Stentorian had a kick start. Torsha's vocal performance was widely praised among the critics and other fellow musicians. Around 2003, Golam left the band and went abroad for higher studies. However, the band continued performing on shows and kept on writing songs.^[12]

2003-2004: Adrissho Juddho

Stentorian got their first big break to participate in Aguntuk -2, a band mixed album coordinated by Bassbaba Sumon. Nevertheless, they had to sacrifice Torsha because that’s when he had to leave Bangladesh for higher studies (later immigration). Members somehow managed to record the vocal tracks for Adrissho Juddho & Bhoy. Both the songs were later released that year respectively in the mixed albums Aguntuk-2 and Dinbodol. Adrissho Juddho instantly became both commercial and critical success over the nation (later, a cult classic).^[13]

2004-2006: Bishonno Adhaar & Protimuhurtey

In 2004, when Stentorian’s fate was at stake and members were thinking about breaking up and forming own projects; Torsha, who was still with the band suggested his childhood friend’s name who was none other than Tanim. After Torsha’s repeated request Tanim to join Stentorian in September 2004. On the first concert with his new band Tanim literally smashed all the bands away and put a full-stop to the “just-standing-up-with-a-microphone-age” with his energetic and powerful performance. Tutul Rashid and Rafiul Habib also joined at this time.^[14]

James and Tutul’s dominant guitar playing along with Rafiul’s drums and Shams’ bass playing took Stentorian into a whole different dimension; it was not a surprise that the band had performed in more than 100 concerts in 2005 alone. During this era, Stentorian was often quoted as “The most popular band of underground” in so many places including internet forums, newspaper, magazines, etc.^[15][16][17] Stentorian took the major leap to their mainstream success as Bishonno Adhaar was released, which featured Bassbaba Sumon from Aurthohin (Bishonno Adhaar is the first ever featured song in Bangladesh). Bishonno Adhaar became an instant success all over the nation and Stentorian got their second classic. Stentorian received almost 100% positive reviews from the leading musicians and legends of Bangladesh. James gained cult following with the song as he were fondly nicknamed by his fans "Rocket Roll V" and "Riff Master" respectively. With the huge success of Bishonno Adhaar, Stentorian did their first ever national tour. After the tour, they signed up with G-Series, a major musical label of Bangladesh. Stentorian concentrated on recording of their debut album.^[18][19][20]

Torsha came back to Bangladesh only for a month in August 2005. Stentorian took a quick approach and recorded six songs with Torsha. Torsha couldn't perform any concert due to the shortage of time. After Torsha's departure, Stentorian fully concentrated on the album and on October 2005 Stentorian's debut album Protimuhurtey was released. Protimuhurtey became people's popular band with the sales of more than “way above five figures” copies nationwide (considered Gold).^[21] Songs like Jolosrot, Mone Pore na and Onubhuti became people's favorite, and they are often sung by the young generation.

2007 - Present: Come back, 2nd album & Future

After 1 year of irregular activity and ultimate departure of Torsha and Shams from the band, Stentorian restarted its journey once again with a track on the mixed album Rock 101, Choritrohin. Anabeel Sen replaced Shams on Bass. Choritrohin gained much critical attention as the song narrates secret desires of a perverted rapist. Stentorian announced that they are releasing second album soon enough. Stentorian started national tour once again and started to appear at media regularly. In 7 March 2010, a brand new song was released from the second album as an album preview, Chhobi. The song was also made available for free download. Chhobi gave Stentorian a new image, as this song was downloaded more than 45000 times from its original hosting only.^[22][23] Stentorian's 4 June 2010 live show at ABC Radio was attended by thousands of fans around Dhaka city. Till date Stentorian is working on their 2nd album and so far 8 songs have been recorded.^[24][25] In December 2011 again Tanim left Stentorian due to some personal problems. And in January 2012 another young blood "Rabiul Awal Real" joined as Tanim's replacement.

Discography

Studio albums

• 2005: Protimuhurtey^[26][27]
• 2011: Untitled second album (Announced)^[28][29]

• 

  Protimuhurtey.

Compilation tracks

• 2004: Adrissho Juddho (Agontuk-2)
• 2004: Bhoy (Dinbodol)
• 2005: Nilkal (Lokayot)
• 2005: Bishonno Adhaar (feat. Bassbaba) (Agontuk-3)
• 2007: Opomrittu (UnderGround-2)
• 2008: Choritrohin (Rock 101)

Popularity

Stentorian along with Rockstrata, Warfaze, Aurthohin, Artcell, Black, Cryptic Fate, Metal Maze, Arbovirus, Nemesis, Vibe, and Kronic are among the first and few bands in Bangladesh to popularize Heavy Metal and Hard Rock in the country.

Band members

• James Kabir — Guitars, Backup Vocals (2001–present)
• Tutul Rashid — Guitars (2003–present)
• Anabeel Sen — Bass, Backup Vocals (2008–present)
• Rafiul Habib — Drums and Percussion (2003–present)
• Rabiul Awal Real — Vocals (2012–present)

Former members

• Golam Waise - Guitars (2001–2003)
• Bobby Khan - Drums (2001–2003)
• Torsha Khan - Vocals (2001–2008)
• Shams Alim Biswas - Bass, Backup Vocals (2001–2007)
• Tanim Sufyani - Vocals (2004–2011)

External links

• Stentorian Official Site
• Stentorian's official Facebook fanpage
• Stentorian's official ReverbNation page
• Stentorian's official blog page
• Amadergaan.com, Leading online music forum of Bangladesh

Media Coverage

• CONCERT AT RUSSIAN CULTURAL CENTRE
• Heavy metal concert held at Russian Cultural Center

References