by Irum Yousuf

Entity Paradigm (EP) has finally hit the masses with their yearned awaited new single “Shor Macha”, sponsored by Djuice. This is one of the biggest booming and victorious come backs for a band in the chronicle of Music especially in our fragment of the sphere. This single is deemed upon as heavily patriotic and immensely provoking one, while making the audience to cogitate over various issues and relating our radiant antiquity, gloomy present and a gleaming future subsequent. Entity Paradigm disclosed their come back in 2009 while playing live at the reputed event of Lums Olympaid.

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A Million Dollar FAKE!

Tere Bin Laden, starring, Prince of Pop, Ali Zafar has garnered generally positive reviews all over the world. The film earned $20,000 on Thursday night in Dubai, and it has become a smash hit in Dubai and in Mumbai, India. So Muslims and Pakistanis abroad love it, and did not find anything offensive in it. It’s a comedy film and it caters to the general psyche of the society. Banning the screening of the film in Pakistan on grounds that extremists could use it as a pretext to launch attacks, made every Pakistani sad and also excited to look for the illegal pirated version of it over the internet. Luckily I found the version within the next 24 hours of the release of the film and thankfully it has been shot quite nicely by the unknown director (pirate) sitting inside the cinema. Throughout the film I never felt that its an anti-Pakistan film. “It’s ironical that Indians are supporting a Pakistani (actor and character), while elements of our local Establishment are apathetic at best and regressive at worst.”, says a renowned musician ‘Shahvar Ali Khan’. A former member of parliament, said the ban was political posturing by the government. “They did not ban the movie because of security concerns. Nonsense,” Mr Yousaf Salahuddin said. “It is an anti-American film that exposes the Americans” and their double-standards. He said the Pakistani government did not want to offend the Americans. I don’t see a point why the movie should be banned here as its a pro-Pakistani film and being a Pakistani I thoroughly enjoyed the film and would highly recommend people to watch this rare gem in theaters. The movie is a very subtle, humorous remark on the war on terror. I think we needed a movie like that. So here goes the first Pakistani review. {Read More…}

By Hasan Faridi

After the mood swinging number named “Chahat” and various bits and piece releases, Ureed are back with a new album called Aaeina. It has been a long wait, but definitely worth it.

Ureed is an Arabic term and means “Desire”. Eddie takes care of the lyrics and composition, while Jonathon masters the guitars, bass and drums sequencing. Both members have had tonnes of experience in the music industry. The capability of these only 2 members is limitless in the new album, with the help of a few talented others including Yasir Jaswal, Hammad Safdar, Naseer Chaman, Aashir Ghafoor, Salman Zaidi and Saqib Nasir.

The debut album Aaeina was recorded at Tritone Studio in Islamabad and is produced by the band itself. {Read More…}

By Hasan Faridi

We’ve all heard the sarcastic but notorious name of The Kominas. Hailing from Boston, MA, the famed Islamic punk rockers are back with the 7-track Escape To Blackout Beach.

The Kominas means ‘the scoundrels’ and compromises of Basim Usmani, Imran Malik and Shahjehan Khan. The band is considered to be one of the first to use the genre of Taqwacore music. To the dismay of the religious Mullah’s, Taqwacore is the genre of punk music mixed in with the culture, traditions and beliefs of Islam.

The Kominas play on US expectations and media perceptions of Muslims and Asians alike. Songs such as “Sharia Law in the USA” and “Suicide Bomb The Gap” sarcastically give a message out towards the reader and what they expect to hear from Muslims. The Kominas unlike many religious bands, don’t preach. They blend Islam and music together for the good and enjoyment of others, through comical lyrics and infectious tones. {Read More…}

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

The second episode of Coke Studio 3 aired on June 20^th. The episode featured five tracks out of which only two proved to be extremely amazing. Coke Studio is famous for maintaining its style of fusion and diversity in music, this time flavored a bit experimental and mind-numbing. It was nice to see EP performing together but they could not maintain the real essence of the beautiful song “Bolo Bolo” by Sajjad Ali.  A very famous song from hit album “Babia” of Sajjad Ali, which was released in early 90’s, had “Bolo Bolo” as the second most favorite song, after “Babia”. The vocalist Fawad did little justice with this legendary and gorgeous song of Sajjad Ali. The bona fide quintessence of the song wasn’t felt at all. Upon asking Ahmed Ali Butt about the Coke Studio sessions, he shared, {Read More…}

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

After “Paimona”, Zeb & Haniya steal the show with their highly applaudable “Bibi Sanam”, with Dari derivation and saccharine Dari accent. The Coke Studio sessions are really worth appraising and hold a touch of classy knack to them. The original song, sung by Wahid Qasemi (Vaheed Kaacemy; Persian) sounds with a different set of tune and harmony. {Read More…}

By Hasan Faridi

Behind the violence and daily struggles that undergo throughout Pakistan, one of the most popular Pakistani rock musician, Salman Ahmad, is now in the spotlight with a brand new album, Rock & Roll Jihad.

Each day of Salman Ahmad’ life has been a chapter in a new book. Being raised in a British school in Lahore and graduating, he later joined the musical group Vital Signs of patriotic “Dil Dil Pakistan” fame. After leaving due to musical differences, Salman formed Junoon, also known at the time as the “Beatles of South Asia”. Junoon were the biggest and most long-lasting band in South Asia.

Salman is an activist, a UN Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS and has helped relations between Pakistan and India. {Read More…}

By Atif Azhar Meer

In the summer of 08 , we got one of the most finest TV productions from COKE. The first season of Coke Studio was a great success both among the masses and the critics. It was a great production, very esthetically designed artwork : the set and the lights, a great house band featuring very fine musicians and above all, a great producer, Mr. Rohail Hyatt at his best. Since then, Coke studio has come a long way. In summer 09, the second season of Coke Studio was launched. It was even better in almost all aspects. One thing I will like to mention here, that we should all feel very proud of the fact that we have achieved something very big in the form of Coke Studio. Recording Live music is not an easy task. It’s a lot of hard work.

Today, on the 6th of June, 2010, the first episode of Coke Studio’s yet another glorious return was aired on TV.  Yes, welcome to Coke Studio – Season III. {Read More…}

by Hasan Faridi

Ear-pounding aggression, one characteristic of thrash metal. Hailing from Islamabad, Pakistan, the band named I See Insanity, or otherwise known as ISI, brings with it a unique sound that strikes listeners with awe as they listen to the raging track “False Gods”.

The band consists of Ali on vocals and bass, Hasham and Umair on rhythm and lead guitars, and Shahab on drums. These talented individuals create the brain-splitting band.

“False Gods” starts off with great Middle-Eastern style riffs, complimented by additional raging vocals by Ali, somehow perfecting the English language unlike many other Pakistani acts. Like a poet on fire, Ali rages on while fueled riffs burn and blasting drums beat behind. The whole essence of the song captures an essence of Pakistan and the Arabian-style guitar solo certainly finishes the job. Bollywood begs for mercy. {Read More…}

by Hani Arif

After the energetic Humain Kiya Hua in Coke Studio Season 2, a song that Atif had sung about to change oneself in order to change society, comes Ab Khud Hi Kuch. Atif’s solo track talked about self screening while Ab Khud Hi Kuch as the title suggests, apart from sharing the same ideology also tells to take collective actions towards a common goal. With Atif collaborating with Strings on this track, it is only natural that there be mutuality in this track. With Atif being a part of the Ab Khud Hi Kuch it is easy to say that this is a sequel to the Coke Studio song. And this is just the clever beginning to a song that has innovation written all over it.

If the total essence of the song is taken into view, it is completely apt to this time where and what Pakistan is passing through at the moment. It is a progressive song but the same sentiment lies within the slowly increasing population of real Pakistanis. {Read More…}

by Hasan Faridi

It’s not anything new when a band comes out in favour for Pakistani cricket. It’s all been done before by the likes of sensations CALL and Strings. But now rockers named Azal have hit the Stadium to show what its all about.

Signed by Times Music of India, Fire Records of Pakistan and Sangeet Records of USA, Azal compromise of 4 talented and passionate musicians: Rajab Ali Khan and Ehtesham Hameed Khan on vocals, Shahbaz Ali Khan on keyboards and Sameer Ahmed on bass.

With the T20 World Cup over the horizon, and all hopes high for the success of Pakistan’s cricket team, “Saari Duniya Hill Jayegi” was made. The song isn’t as mellow as CALL’s “Badal Do Zamana” and Strings “Hai Koye Hum Jaisa”, but that’s a good thing. This song is fuelled rock, with distorted guitar riffs, heavy drumming and a hard attitude. Perfect for representing passion and enthusiasm to succeed. Even though the music may sound Western, the vocals still capture the essence of Pakistan. Pakistan has a strong foot in the ground with this number, now cricketers England and Australia have to keep up. {Read More…}

by

Sadaf Fayyaz

He knows what to make music about. We see something rocking this time by this startling guy. All we are talking about is the brand new video “Go Saabjee Go”, from his album “Haroon ka Safar”. Whether it is a patriotic song like “Dil Se Maine Dekha Pakistan”, or romantic song like “Jao Tum”, or a typical family kind naughty song like “Mehendi”, Haroon has really done something remarkable this time. Remembering his “Mr. Fraudiye”, that reflected societal loopholes and social deceptions. Haroon has come up with something quite avant-garde this time. The stimulus behind the video is wretchedness and daily life problems of an ordinary local citizen.  The eccentric and unfathomable maestro Haroon is a true enigma. {Read More…}

As almost 6 years painfully pass while fans wait for more news from a big group, expectations of a comeback diminishes. Even 6 years is a long time for bands in Pakistan, and its rare to find a group that has kept a strong foot in the ground. But now the influential group named Karavan is back from the blue with a brand new album, “Saara Jahan”.

Formed in 1997 by guitarist Asad Ahmed (also known for guitaring on Coke Studio), the band lineup is Tanseer Daar on vocals, Asad Ahmed on guitars, Sameer Ahmed on bass and Allan Smith on drums and percussion.

Karavan have revolutionized the Pakistani music scene by fusing Eastern melodies with the power of modern Western rock. Fusion and combinations between East and West is always done, but these guys perfect it. The band has released 3 studio albums and 1 live album racking up sales of 2 million copies worldwide. {Read More…}

by Hasan Faridi

Track leaks are normally godsends, but it’s a sticky situation with Pakistani Pop Singer Annie where people are feeling a mix of confusion, shock and awe. Most of Annie’s upcoming album hasn’t even been scheduled for release, yet most of it has made its way over the Internet by an unidentified sneaky source.

Growing up with a passion and desire to pursue in the field of music, Annie took up extra-curricular activities related to music to achieve her dream. To kick-start her passion, she wrote a song named “Mahiya” at the age of 18, a song sung in English and Urdu. The mix of languages can also be seen in her songs today, combining East with West. {Read More…}

By Hasan Faridi

Say Pak-Pop-Punk 5 times aloud really fast, the genre you may describe when listening to Pakistani band ICU’s new released track entitled “Rebound”. The band ICU has hit the scene again after “Chuhay”, with their infectious, humorous and eccentric music.

You may think ICU comes from “I See You”, but supposedly it stands for non-stop partying and non-stop fun. You get the realisation when you listen to the talented band, which create positive tracks filled with energetic and upbeat music to bring fun and happiness through our nerves. The band consists of Adil on vocals and guitars, Umer also on vocals, Sarim on guitars, Ovais on bass and Sheroz on drums. These talented individuals form ICU, one of the most eccentric bands from Pakistan to reach our ears today. {Read More…}