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Warfaze (Bengali: ওয়ারফেইজ) is a Bangladeshi heavy metal band formed in 6 June 1984 in Dhaka by Kamal, Meer, Helal, Naimul, and Bappy. They are one of the early heavy metal bands in Bangladesh. The band had numerous line-up changes since 1984. Since its inception, the band has released seven studio albums, one compilation album, and several singles.

Warfaze ওয়ারফেজ
Background information
Origin	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Genres	Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
Years active	1984–present
Labels	G-Series Ektaar Soundtek Sargam
Members	Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal Shams Mansoor Ghani Naimul Haque Roger Palash Noor Samir Hafiz Soumen Das
Past members	Sunjoy Babna Karim Balam Mizan Rahman Oni Hasan Fuad Ibne Rabbi Sazzad Arefeen Russell Ali Romel Ali Iqbal Asif Jewel Saidus Sumon
Website	www.warfaze.rocks

The band has experimented with different sub-genres of rock and heavy metal over the years.

History

First decade and breakthrough – Warfaze and অবাক ভালোবাসা (Obak Bhalobasa) (1984–94)

The first lineup of Warfaze in 1984 consisted of Bappi on vocals, Mir and Naimul on guitars, Kamal on bass, Helal on drums. This initial line-up underwent the first of many changes with Helal, Mir, and Bappi having to leave the band for personal reasons. By that time Kamal met Tipu in early 1986 and Tipu joined Warfaze as the drummer and co-founder. The band was far from breaking through to the mainstream music scene in Bangladesh. Heavy metal music was not much popular in Bangladesh back then.[1]

In 1986, Kamal took up lead guitar duties, Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu as a drummer, and Kamal and Tipu took Babna Karim as the bassist, and Reshad as the vocalist. This second lineup had to be discontinued when Naimul emigrated to the US. At that time, there were three other Dhaka-based metal bands: Rockstrata, In Dhaka, and Aces. Mashuk Rahman from In Dhaka and Fuad from Aces volunteered to help Warfaze as guest members (guitarist) and Warfaze introduced Keyboard position in the band and Russell took the position. At the time, Warfaze was mostly a cover band, covering bands such as Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Dokken, Iron Maiden or Guns N' Roses.[2]

In 1988, Reshad had left the band for some personal reason and his place was filled by Sunjoy. Kamal had made arrangements for further education in the US by 1991. However, inspired by Maqsud, former vocalist of Feedback, the band performed their own Bangla songs at a concert arranged by BAMBA at the University of Dhaka on 26 April 1992. The band at this concert decided to make a mixed album, but as it turned out Warfaze had enough songs to be able to release a solo album. The band went to release their self-titled album, Warfaze, on 21 June 1991. The album featured the songs "Boshe Achi Eka" and "Ekti Chele". At the time, Bangladeshi music listeners were still new to metal. Any lyrics other than those inspired by romanticism or patriotism were rare. It took several months for the album to gain popularity but later succeeded.

The album was followed up by a concert on 7 January 1992 at the Rawa Club. The next album, Obak Bhalobasha, was released by Sargam in 1994. Obak Bhalobasha featured songs with heavier sounds. Warfaze's sound got developed on this album. Obak Bhalobasha, the titled song from the album was a big hit. This song was composed with soft melodic structures in a progressive way. The song is one of the earliest progressive rock songs in the history of Bangladesh. The song was sung by Babna Karim (Warfaze's bassist), instead of their lead singer, Sunjoy. Obak Bhalobasha is one of the fewest Warfaze's hit songs which weren't sung by their lead singers. Obak Bhalobasha is also one of the longest tracks recorded by Warfaze, spanning for 8 minutes and 37 seconds. After completing Obak Bhalobasha Russel Ali left the band at this stage to start a music career in the United States later that year.

"জীবনধারা (Jibon Dhara)" and "অসামাজিক (Oshamajik)" (1996–1998)

The band released the album Jibondhara in 1996 December, with a line-up of vocal- Sunjoy, guitar- Kamal, bass & vocal- Babna Karim, drums- Tipu, and guest keyboardist Fuad played together on the same album. Iqbal Asif Jewel joined as guest backup vocal and Ruchi backup vocal (guest).

Iqbal Asif Jewel joined as a guitarist and second vocalist from another rock band, Legend. Babna had to leave for his career and study in the U.S.A. therefore he was replaced by Saidus Sumon who played for Oshamajik 1 April 1998. After completing Oshamajik Sunjoy left for his personal career.[3]

Sumon left to pursue a career both as a solo artist with his band Aurthohin and Biju joined replacing Sumon. Iqbal Asif Jewel left the band to join miles. Fuad Ibne Rabbi also left the band for his personal career.

"আলো (Alo)" and "মহারাজ (Moharaj)" (2000–2003)

The band underwent many changes in line-up over the next 8 years. Their guitarist Balam, replaced Iqbal Asif Jewel.[4] Mizan replaced Sunjoy on vocals while Shams became a keyboard player from 1999 and Biju as bass. Tipu and Kamal stood in their position still. This line-up released the album আলো (Light) in 2000.

However, 2002 marked changes in the line-up once again with Mizan leaving the band for personal reasons and Kamal leaving the band for his personal and family issues. Kamal joined Sumon's band Aurthohin in 2006. Balam, who had already sung three notable songs in the album 'Alo' took up vocal & guitar duties as Mizan left and Sazzad was recruited from Metal Maze as the lead guitarist replacing Kamal. Bass player Biju left for Canada for his study and career. All the while, Tipu solely held the band together for its existence and recruited Cézanne as the bassist of the emerging progressive metal band Artcell. Later Balam departed to pursue a solo career as a commercial pop artist.[5]

Kamal rejoined the band in 2007 and the band recruited Oni Hasan from the band Vibe, resulting in a major change in their sound, with neoclassical metal influences especially in live performances.

"পথচলা (Pothchala)" (2009)

Following the release of a compilation album (sponsored by Nokia) which includes re-recorded versions of their songs along with a couple of new singles titled "Tomake" and "Omanush", the band began touring extensively. With a new and stable lineup since 2007 that had stayed together for almost more than 5 years then, the band went on to celebrate their silver jubilee at a gala concert, which featured performances from both past and present members of Warfaze at the Winter Garden, Hotel Sheraton, Dhaka.[6] Tipu announced that a live concert recording album was planned, along with a new studio album which later came out in 2012 titled Shotto.

The band continued to experiment with their sound with the release of a fusion album entitled Somorpon, merging elements of heavy metal with traditional Bangladeshi folk music as a tribute to Hason Raja, Lalon, and Baul Shah Abdul Karim working with Sumon's band Aurthohin and solo artist Habib Wahid. Warfaze tributed the songs of Lalon, Aurthohin tributed the songs of Hason Raja and Habib Wahid tributed the songs of Baul Shah Abdul Karim.[7]

"সত্য (Sotto)" (2012)

Shotto, the new album was released on 21 October 2012 featuring the same line-up as in Poth Chola. Tracks from the album include "Agami", "Na", "Purnota", "Shotto", "Jedin", "Rupkotha", "Jonosrot", and "Projonmo". The album also included an unreleased single from the early 2000s called "Protikkha".[8][9]

With Oni Hasan taking a break for his studies in the United Kingdom and Kamal recovering from surgeries, the band asked Faisal (from Metal Maze), Samir (from Powersurge), and Shrapnel Method to perform as guest members on live shows.[10]

With Oni playing lead guitar in the band, the sound of the album got significantly changed. Along with Kamal's shredding, Oni's heavy groove metal riffs were introduced. As well as his jaw-dropping dive bombs, whammy pedal uses, melodic fast arpeggiated solos with sweep picking can be heard.

At midnight on 13 February 2013, Warfaze performed at the Projonmo Chattar to show their support for the Shahbag protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in demand of capital punishment for Abdul Quader Mollah and all the other accused war criminals of the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. It also marked the return of Kamal with his solos.[11] In late 2014, Oni Hasan left the band to pursue higher education.

Warfaze has performed their mega reunion Legacy Concert on 30 January 2015 to celebrate 30 years of music-making, The legacy concert took place at Gulnaksha Hall, International Convention City in Bashundhara Residential Area, Dhaka. The celebration has brought together four of its past members – Babna Karim, Sunjoy, Balam, and Romel Ali – with its current line-up on the stage. On their Facebook page on 7 April 2016 they announced that Mizan has left the band.[12] Later they announced Palash Noor as their new vocal.

Musical style and influences

The band has been consistently cited as an inspiration by most active heavy metal artists today in Bangladesh as one of the first bands to introduce metal to Bangladesh.[2] The band used to play cover versions of bands like Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Scorpions, Guns N' Roses and Dokken, etc. in their early years.[2] Throughout their career, the band has experimented with multiple genres of Rock & Metal.

Discography

Studio albums

• First album : Warfaze (1991)

Distibuted by Sargam, this 55 minute album has 10 tracks which were a completely new genre for the Bangladeshi audience. It was initially launched as an audio cassette then later on as CDs.

Warfaze (1991)

Track No.	Song	Translation	Duration
1	Ekti Chele	One Boy	6:51
2	Boshey Achhi	I'm Sitting	5:48
3	Bicchinno Abeg	Detached Emotions	5:30
4	Shadhikaar	Rights	4:47
5	Nistobdhota	Silence	4:50
6	Koishor	Boyhood	5:47
7	Asha	Hopes	5:13
8	Ratri	Nighttime	4:23
9	Brishti Nemechhey	It's Raining	6:10
10	Shondha	Evening	6:24

• Second album : Obak Bhalobasha (Surprising Love) (1994)

Distributed by Sargam, this 50 minute album consists of 10 tracks. It doesn't stream on any streaming platforms but it's uploaded on YouTube. It's available in cassettes and CDs.

Obak Bhalobasha (1994)

Track No.	Song	Translation	Duration
1	Ondho Jibon	Blind Life	4:59
2	Onno Bhubon	Another World	6:08
3	Obak Bhalobasha	Surprising Love	8:39
4	Bondi Niyoti	Prisoner of Fate	4:14
5	Jokhon	When	3:34
6	Keu Nei Eka	No One's Alone	4:24
7	Nirbashon	Exile	5:55
8	Neel Shopon	Blue Dreams	4:46
9	Ek + Ek ${\displaystyle \neq }$ Dui	One + One ${\displaystyle \neq }$ Two	2:53
10	Shekhano Bornona	Learned Explanation	5:09

• Third album : Jibondhara (Lifestyle) (1996)

Distributed by Soundtek, this 59 minute album consists of 12 tracks. It was introduced as an audio cassette and CD, later put on online streaming platforms.

Jibondhara (1996)

Track No.	Song	Translation	Duration
1	Jibondhara	Lifestyle	4:36
2	Mounota	Silence	3:51
3	Dhupchhaya	Incense	4:08
4	Rupachaad	Silver Moon	4:51
5	Kromosho	Gradual	4:29
6	Tumi	You	4:19
7	Heyali	Cheater	4:01
8	Pothchola	Walking Paths	6:09
9	Jononi	Mother	5:36
10	Nisshobdey	Quietly	5:43
11	Din Bodol	Changing Days	5:58
12	Ojantey	Unknowingly	6:01

• Fourth Album : অসামাজিক (Unsocial) (1998)

Distributed by G-Series, this 59 minute album consists of 11 tracks. This album was the last album for Sunjoy as vocals and he left the band. It was introduced as cassettes and CDs.

Oshamajik (1998)

Track No.	Song	Translation	Duration
1	Oshamajik	Unsocial	4:55
2	Nei Proyojon	Unnecessary	3:52
3	Rupali Srotey	In the Silver Flow	4:58
4	Oshoni Shongket	Astrological Sign	4:40
5	Bondhu	Friend	4:52
6	Dhushor Manchitro	The Gray Map	6:00
7	Proticchobi	Reflection	5:45
8	Jatisshor	National Memory	5:18
9	Mohanogor	The Capital City	8:04
10	Emon Diney	In a Day Like This	4:17
11	Keu Nei Adharey	No One's in the Darkness	6:55

• Fifth album : আলো (Light) (2000)

Distributed by Soundtek, this 60 minute album consists of 10 tracks. This is the album where Mizan gave his vocals for the band as well as Balam as his Warfaze debut as lead guitarist.

Aalo (2000)

Track No.	Song	Translation	Duration
1	Hotasha	Disappointment	5:43
2	Jotodurey	As Far	5:48
3	Bewarish	Disinherited	8:00
4	Aar Kotokaal	How Long	6:09
5	Sritigulo	The Memories	4:36
6	Brishti	Rain	7:07
7	Mrittu Eliji	Death's Coming	5:26
8	Shomoy	Time	5:28
9	Aalo	Light	6:03
10	Nei Tumi	You're Absent	5:35

• Sixth album : মহারাজ (Your Majesty) (2003)

Distributed by Ektaar Music, this 49 minute album consists of 10 tracks. This album's main vocalist is Balam which he included in his mixed albums as well.

Moharaaj (2003)

Track No.	Song	Translation	Duration
1	Bangalira Aar Koto Dekhbe	How Much Will The Bengalis See	6:25
2	Boshonto	Springtime	4:52
3	Hariye Tomake	Losing You	5:04
4	Herechho	You Lost	4:04
5	Shopno Tumi Naw	You're Not A Dream	5:00
6	Moharaaj	Your Majesty	4:50
7	Oteet (Mone Pore Kromosho)	Past (Remembering Gradually)	5:30
8	Shesh Prohor	Last Moments	4:50
9	Shukh	Happiness	4:25
10	Cyclone

• Seventh album : পথচলা (Walking Paths) (2009)

Distubuted by G-Series and Asha Audio, this 74 minute album consists of 14 tracks. It's remastered compilation album with the biggest hits of Warfaze, so that the newer generation can get a taste of some classic songs.

Track No.	Song	Translation	Duration
1	Boshey Achhi	I'm Sitting	5:28
2	Tomakey	You	5:29
3	Omanush	Inhuman	6:14
4	Obak Bhalobasha	Surprising Love	7:20
5	Hotasha	Disappointment	5:17
6	Nei Proyojon	Unnecessary	3:44
7	Shadhikar	Rights	5:02
8	Jotodurey	As Far	5:58
9	Dhushor Manchitro	The Gray Map	6:04
10	Asha	Hopes	5:30
11	Shomoy	Time	5:30
12	Oshamajik	Unsocial	4:48
13	Pothchola	Walking Paths	6:09
14	Moharaaj	Your Majesty	4:37

• Eighth album : সত্য (Truth) (2012)

Distributed by Deadline Music, the 53 minute album consists of 9 tracks. This was the first album which was initially launched as a CD format and as well as digital mediums.

Shotto (2012)

Track No.	Song	Translation	Duration
1	Agami	Tomorrow	6:17
2	Na	No	4:51
3	Rupkotha	Fairytale	6:38
4	Purnota	Fullness	6:00
5	Jedin	That Day	5:19
6	Shotto	Truth	5:05
7	Projonmo 2012	Generation 2012	7:12
8	Jonosrot	Flow of People	6:49
9	Protikkha	Await	5:29

Compilation albums

• Best Collection – 4 in 1(1999)

Mixed albums

• Dhun – 6 Band Mixed Album (ধুন) (1997)
• Hit! Run! Out! (1998)
• 6 Band "99" '(1999)
• Tribute Album- Somorpon (সমর্পণ) (28-08-2011)

Members

Present members

• Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu – drums, percussions, Band leader (1985–present)
• Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal – lead guitar (1985-2003,2007-present); bass (1984-1985)
• Palash Noor – vocal (2016-present)
• Samir Hafiz – lead guitar (2015-present)
• Soumen Das – rhythm guitar (2018-present)
• Naim Haque Roger – bass guitar (2003-present)
• Shams Mansoor Ghani – keyboard (1999-present)

Past members

• Sunjoy – vocal (1990–1998)
• Babna Karim – bass, vocal (1986–1996)
• Balam – vocal, guitar (1999–2007)
• Mizan Rahman Mizan – vocal (1999–2002, 2007-2016)
• Iqbal Asif Jewel – guitar, vocal (1997–1999)
• Sazzad Arefin – guitar (2001–2007)
• Oni Hasan – guitar (2007-2014)
• Saidus Sumon – bass guitar, vocal (1997–1998)
• Biju – bass guitar (1999-2002)
• Cézanne Ahmed – bass guitar (2002–2003)
• Russel Ali – keyboard, guitar (1990–1994)
• Romel Ali – keyboard
• Fuad Ibne Rabbi – keyboard, guitar (1994–1999)
• Helal – drums, (1984–1985)
• Bappi – vocal (1984–1985)
• Mir – guitar (1984–1985)
• Naimul – lead guitar (1984–1988)
• Reshad – vocal (1985–1990)

Timeline

See also

• List of hard rock musicians (N–Z)
• Music of Bangladesh

References

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