Faraz Anwar (born 15 July 1977) is a Pakistan

Pakistan

Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...

i guitarist, known for his solo instrumental work and his band Mizraab

Mizraab

Mizraab is a progressive rock band from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, formed in 1997...

. He has been called "Pakistan's master of progressive rock."

Biography

Faraz Anwar was born on 15 July 1977 in Karachi

Karachi

Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...

. In 6th grade he decided to pick up a guitar after seeing a video of guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen on TV. Faraz got his education from St. Paul and St. Andrews, but left after his matriculation because he wanted to pursue a career in music. At the age of 11, he won Pakistan's national music competition, and at 14 he became a full-time musician. Most of his work consisted of touring with top-tier acts and studio collaborations.

One of his projects is a collaboration with Imran Raza, which combines classic rock with such Eastern musical influences as "South Asian flutes and classical Sufi singing"; according to The Weekly Standard

The Weekly Standard

The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative opinion magazine published 48 times per year. Its founding publisher, News Corporation, debuted the title September 18, 1995. Currently edited by founder William Kristol and Fred Barnes, the Standard has been described as a "redoubt of...

, it was President Pervez Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...

 of Pakistan who brought the two together.

Own projects/bands

• Mizraab (pop-rock/hard rock, progressive metal)
• Dusk (black metal)
• Yasir & Faraz (Eastern neo-classical)

Abstract Point Of View (2001)

His solo album, Abstract Point of View, was released in 2001 on Gnarly Geezer Records, the label owned by Allan Holdsworth

Allan Holdsworth

Allan Holdsworth is an English guitarist and composer. He has released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played many different styles of music over a period of four decades, but first drew attention for his work in jazz fusion...

. It is only the second guitar-based instrumental album to have been produced in Pakistan.

Track listing

1. "Through the Passage of Time" – 12:44
2. "Maze" – 4:53
3. "Prophet" – 6:56
4. "Don't Let Your Spirit Die" – 5:30
5. "Last Summer" – 4:46
6. "Why?" – 10:28

Untitled (Internet release)

This album was recorded in 1995-96, when Anwar was 16, but was only released, through Mizraab's fan site, in 2004.

Track listing

1. "Don't Know" – 6:32
2. "Show Me the Way" – 5:30
3. "Reason" – 3:57
4. "Hearts of Darkness" – 5:28
5. "Spanish Eyes" – 2:27
6. "Strong Believe" – 2:42
7. "Where Am I?" – 4:54
8. "Invasion" – 4:35
9. "Roshni" – 4:58
10. "Aankhon Main" – 4:21
11. "No Where to Go" – 5:52

Videos

• Faraz Anwar - "Through The Passage Of Time" (2001)
  • Directed by Babar Sheikh
• Faraz Anwar - "Autumn Madness" (2009)

External links

• Official Fan Site