Mizraab
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Mizraab

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan | MAJOR

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan | MAJOR
Band Rock Folk

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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Discography

Panchi (1999)
Mazi Haal Mustaqbil (2004)
Live & Rare (2010 Internet Release)

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Bio

Mizraab was formed in Karachi, Sindh, in 1997 by vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter Faraz Anwar, The name of the band was given by Faraz's father, the word being Persian for a piece of metal worn on the finger while playing sitar.[1] The trio then after a struggle of two years went on recording and releasing the band's debut album, Panchi, in April 1999. The album included fast tempos, instrumentals, and aggressive musicianship that placed them as one of the pioneers of progressive metal music in Pakistan. The release of the album also earned the band a growing fan base in the underground music community and critical acclaim and thus the album was regarded as the first progressive rock album in the country.[3]

Formation (1997-2001)
Faraz then, keeping the name of Mizraab, began his solo project. In the summer of 1999, he went on recording his solo album at Digital Fidelity Studios in Lahore, Punjab, where his work was well received. Faraz then recorded and released his instrumental solo album, An Abstract Point of View, through the American based record label Gnarly Geezer Records, owned by Allan Holdsworth, in 2001.[4] It is only the second guitar-based instrumental album to have been produced in Pakistan. The album got rave reviews from musicians all over the world hailing Faraz as a great guitar find from Asia.

However, the album sold more than 30,000 copies upon release and the album sales surprised the record label and was forced to print out more copies because of its demand. Maazi Haal Mustaqbil is credited to be the first proper Urdu metal album released and the first ever progressive concept album released in Pakistan. Due to the success of the album, at the Lux Style Awards 2004, the album was nominated for the "Best Music Album" award.[9] On August 13, Mizraab paid tribute to the most successful pop band of Pakistan, Vital Signs, by covering a heavy metal music version of the famous patriotic song "Dil Dil Pakistan". On October 13, Mizraab performed live at The Geo Applause at National Sailing Club in Karachi.

Mizraab performed at the music festival "Carnival de Rock" held at Karachi Arts Council. On April 30, Mizraab were nominated for the "Best Alternative Track" award for "Kitne Sadian" at the Indus Music Awards. On 25 May, Mizraab performed at a concert in the capital city, Islamabad held in City School. On June 11, On September 13, Mizraab released it's fifth single "Panchi" music video directed by Murtaza Chaudry from their second studio album. The band then went on giving an interview at local music channel like Play TV. In October, Mizraab released the music video of the single "Meré Khuda" dedicating the song to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake victims.

New era (2010-present)
On January 1, 2010, Mizraab released a live album Mizraab - Live & Rare from their live performances on MTV Pakistan. [19] On February 6, Faraz Anwar and Irfan Ahmed were invited as guests at the television programme The Azfar Mani Show on Aag TV where Faraz Anwar discussed about the future of his band, Mizraab and the band's upcoming third studio album, which will be released soon when the country's political situation will be better.On October 17, Mizraab performed at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture.

On March 19, 2011, Mizraab performed live at National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences in Karachi. On April 1, Mizraab performed their first ever unplugged performance at the MTV Unplugged live sessions, held at V-Sel Outlet in Karachi. On May 11, it was confirmed that Mizraab will be performing at Coke Studio season four, which will be aired on May 22, through a Coke Studio television promo of the first episode.[20] On May 14, in a behind the scenes video of Mizraab performing at a Coke Studio session, Faraz Anwar discussed about performing a middle eastern classical track "Kuch Hai" at Coke Studio.[21] On May 22, Mizraab performed "Kuch Hai", from Maazi, Haal, Mustaqbil, featuring Mannan Ali Khan, adding Eastern classical infusion of vocals into the band’s signature rock sound, with backing vocals by Zoe Viccaji and Rachel Viccaji at Coke Studio fourth season first episode.[22][23] On May 24, in a review of the Coke Studio fourth season, first episode, The Express Tribune newspaper gave the song a 9/10 rating claiming it to be the best performance of the first episode.[24] On May 31, Mizraab were interviewed at Hum TV programme, Morning with Hum hosted by Noor Bukhari, where the band discussed about their musical journey and talked about their upcoming third studio album.