Mizraab

Mizraab are a progressive Rock band formed by Faraz Anwar in 1996 in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Their music is difficult to categorize, being associated with both heavy metal and progressive rock. Since their inception, the group has released a collective total of three albums: two studio albums; and one live album.
The band's lineup (centred on guitarist Faraz Anwar) has persistently altered throughout its existence, with eight musicians passing through the ranks.
The band are noted for being one of the few bands to have brought progessive rock in Pakistan, thus being one of the few heavy metal bands to receive significant acknowledgment by the press. Mizraab released their debut album Panchi in January 1999. Their debut album was conceived as being a fusion of classical/rock and was probably a first in the local scene, but due to lack of concerts Faraz Anwar, left with the name "Mizraab" and went on to release his solo ablum Abstract Point of View in 2001 through Gnarly Geezer Records, the label owned by Allan Holdsworth. The album being the only second guitar-based instrumental album to have been produced in Pakistan. In March 2004, Faraz Anwar came back with a new lineup and Mizraab went on to release their second album Mazi Haal Mustaqbil, which was the first ever progressive/experimental concept album released in Pakistan.
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 in the Pakistani scene. The individual who immersed the brick was none other than Pakistan’s guitar-theurgist Faraz Anwar. Mizraab, the name was chosen by Faraz Anwar's father who himself is an artist.
Panchi (1999-2004)
Igniting the metal flame in the Pakistani music industry, Mizraab released their first album "Panchi" in January 1999. The album was conceived as being a fusion of classical/rock and was probably a first in the local scene. Due to obliviousness in the local industry stemming from a disorganized release, Panchi couldn’t make an impression however the album did get a lot of air play on local Radio stations. Due to lack of Concerts Faraz, left with the name "Mizraab" carried on the journey to conquer the value of musical sovereign.
Mazi Haal Mustaqbil (2004-present)
In March 2004, the band's new lineup led by Faraz Anwar was in the spot light yet again, unleashed their second and highly acclaimed album "Mazi Haal Mustaqbil", which was to be the first ever Pakistani progressive/experimental concept album. The album was signed by Sadaf Stereo and was quickly sold out in the market. The album was released after 3 years of struggle because no record label was interested in releasing a Progressive Rock format album. The release cracked the roots of the homogeneous traditional ear and was greatly criticized and loved. The album sold more than 30,000 copies in Pakistan and the album sales surprised the record label and was forced to printed out more copies because of its demand.
Discography
;Studio albums
*Panchi (1999)
*Mazi Haal Mustaqbil (2004)
;Live albums
*Live & Rare (2010)
Band members
;Current
*Faraz Anwar - vocals, lead guitar
*Yusuke Iwahashi - rhythm guitar
*James Hobday - bass guitars, backing vocals
*Matthew Curr - drums
;Former
*Khalid Khan - bass guitars
*Jamal Mustafa - rhythm guitar
*Akhtar Qayyum - Percussion
*Shahzad Naseem - rhythm guitar
*Rahail Siddiqui - bass guitars

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