Entity Paradigm (eP)
Encyclopedia
Entity Paradigm is a Pakistan
i rock band
, formed by vocalist,Fawad Afzal Khan and keyboardist, Ahmed Ali Butt in Lahore
, Punjab
in 2000. Their music is categorized as being associated with both progressive metal
and progressive rock
, yet having been influenced by nu metal
, symphonic rock
and psychedelic rock
. The band is also heavily influenced with western bands like Metallica
, Megadeth
, Limp Bizkit
, Rage Against the Machine
, Tool
, Linkin Park
and Oleander
, amongst other western music
rock artists.
The band are noted for being one of the pioneer mainstream rock bands in the Pakistani music industry. Their debut album, Irtiqa
, released in 2003, is the first mainstream concept album to be released by a Pakistani artist. The album produced by Zulfiqar J. Khan, Fawad A. Khan and Mekaal Hasan
, was a critical acclaim in Pakistan
.
In 2007, Entity Paradigm had an interview with a local newspaper in which they announced that the band would disband due to various members aiming to pursue different projects. Early reports from the band hinted towards an album release in late 2004. In 2009, the band announced their official comeback with Fawad Afzal Khan and Ahmed Ali Butt in leading positions. However, two of the main members of the band, Zulfiqar J. Khan and Sajjad A. Khan, decided not to make a comeback due to work on different projects.
underground music scene. During the early 2000s, Ahmed Ali Butt, lead vocalist of Entity and Fawad Afzal Khan, lead vocalist of Paradigm, were working together for a popular television sitcom Jutt and Bond aired on Indus Vision, it was then when the programme's director suggested that the actor's bands collaborate and do a title track for the show. Led by Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, lead guitarist of Paradigm, the two bands collaborated and within a week recorded the title song "Hamein Aazma
", which was played at the beginning and end of the show.
Battle of the Bands
advertisement began to air on television; the competition called upon entries of aspiring bands from all over Pakistan
. Since neither Entity nor Paragidm had any of their independent releases or compilations on the record, they decided to send "Hamein Aazma" to the competition as a collaborative effort. It was during this time Entity Paradigm officially came into being.
Entity Paradigm got together for the Battle of the Bands and went to Karachi
, Sindh
, to take part in the competition. The band first took part in the digital round of the competition, where the band went on head to head with twenty hundred bands from across the four provinces of Pakistan
. The competition included competition bands like Aaroh
, Mekaal Hasan Band
and Mizmaar, which also later on became popular mainstream rock bands coming from the underground music scene. By then it was speculated that the band initiated the composing of two brand new and improved tracks never heard before, "Kahan Hai Tu" and a cover of the late sufi singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The band also performed a cover of "Face of Love" American musician Eddie Vedder
at the competition.
After a 16½-months hiatus, during which the competition was being aired on national, cabel and satellite television programmes, viewers polled for their favourite band in the competition. During this break, Abid Khan, bassist of the band, left to band to travel to England and fulfil a certain filial obligations. Bassist, Sajjad Ali Khan was recruited as a replacement for Abid Khan. By then the results of the Battle of the Bands came out and it was told that two bands who made to the finals were Entity Paradigm along with Aaroh
. The band again went on to perform in Karachi to compete at the finals of the competition. Although, the band lost to Aaroh by a narrow margin, the band did managed to entertain a strong audience of around 4,000 at the NRA Golf Club, where the finals were held.
opening for Strings
. On 20 September 2002, the band made their live debut at the Lahore Grammar School
, Gulberg. The boys were met by a very vocal and receptive crowd that stayed on their feet during the entire performance which lasted for more than an hour. On 1 October 2002, Pepsi
signed Entity Paradigm on a year deal. On 6 October, after their explosive live debut performance at Lahore Grammar School, Gulberg, the band rocked a crowd of more than 600 at the Defence Auditorium. The concert was held under the auspices of Lahore Grammar School, Defence. On 13 October, the band announced that they will be recording their new songs in the studio after a week. The name of both the songs were called "Waqt
" and "Rahguzar
On 2 November 2002, the band headed off to Karachi to perform at the College of Business & Management. On 6 December 2002, Entity Paradigm released samples of "Waqt" and "Rahguzar". On 7 December, the music video of "Kahan Hai Tu
" was shot at Walton Airport
, Lahore directed by Ahmed Ali Butt, which was attended by a crowd of 150 people for the shooting. On 14 December, the band performed in Karachi again at the PAF Yacht Club. On 27 December, the band along with Call performed at Lobelia School System, Gulberg in Lahore. On 28 December, Entity Paradigm performed at the Rock Music Festival, the biggest rock music event of Pakistan, held at Alhamra in Lahore.
On 11 January 2003, Entity Paradigm performed along with nine other underground bands at the National Rock Festival 2003 held at the Model Town Club, in Lahore. On 1 October 2003, after recording songs during the summers, the band released their debut full-length studio album, which was slated to be for a 25 September 2003, release date. Irtiqa
, produced by Zulfiqa J. Khan, Fawad A. Khan and songwriter-producer Mekaal Hasan
, became a critical acclaim in Pakistan
and became one of the first mainstream concept album released by a Pakistani artist. Singles like "Waqt
", "Hamesha", "Aghosh" and "Kahan Hai Tu
" all topped the local music charts. The single "Waqt" also charted at top in India. Irtiqa, meaning progression, revolved around a theme of evolution. The soun of the album is very melodic and doom paced, influenced by heavy metal
and progressive rock
, heavily relied on fast keyboards and drums and heavy guitar riffs. The band also went on a tour all across the country to promote their debut album release.
On February 2, 2005, Entity Paradigm performed a charity concert for the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami victims along with Junoon, Call and Jal
at Alhamra Auditorium
in Lahore
.
is the only album to be released by Entity Paradigm which is distributed by Lips Records.
After the group's breakup, Zulfiqar J. Khan and Waqar A. Khan joined Call
and Zulfiqar J. Khan directed a new single, "Shayad" which top the charts and Call
released their debut album Jilawatan
. Later on Waqar subsequently left the band. Fawad A. Khan continued his acting career. He first appeared in the second highest grossing film of Pakistan
, Khuda Kay Liye and there was tremendous curiosity around the film. All the critics gave it a positive review. Salman Albert, Waqar A. Khan and Hassan Khalid accompanied Ahmed Ali Butt to form a new band, Rubberband and released a new single "Chall". Ahmed Ali Butt continued working on other projects like Rubberband and worked for different television channels like AAG TV
, Wikkid etc.
and was attended by an enthusiastic audience. Without Xulfi and Sajjad A. Khan, the current formation of the band includes Fawad Khan on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Ahmed Ali Butt on keyboards and vocals, Hassan Khalid on bass, Salman Albert on lead guitars, and Waqar Khan on drums. Unfortunately, the reunion did not make big news in the press and media.
Shortly after their reunion they went on performing in Karachi
at Ramada Hotel on 1 May, where the band debut their new song "Shor Macha
". They also announced that their second album will be released in December 2010. On 28 June, Entity Paradigm were going to make the long-awaited comeback at Lok Virsa Theater
, Islamabad
, but did not play at their gig at the concert which created a chaos among fans. In response to the violence, Fawad Afzal Khan, the lead vocalist of the band, responded that it was due to mismanagement of the organizers the band was not able to perform at the concert.
(Defence Phase V Branch) in Lahore
. In February, news broke about Entity Paradigm taking part in the Coke Studio
third season and were found jamming with Arif Lohar
at Coke Studio in Karachi. It was also reported that they are going to perform a song together. On 20 February, the band announced that they will be shooting the video of their new single "Shor Macha
" and through facebook invited fans to take part in the shooting of the music video. On 26 February, Entity Paradigm again performed at Lahore Grammar School
(Johar Town Branch) in Lahore. On 21 March, EP performed at the Battle Field Arena and then on Pakistan Day, 23 March, the band performed at LUMS
one year after their reunion there.
On 15 May, the lineup for Coke Studio confirmed that Entity Paradigm will feature in the third season along with many well known artists and bands like Noori
, Aunty Disco Project
, Karavan
, Abida Parveen
and many other successful musicians. On 8 June, it was confirmed that EP will perform at the Coke Studio second session along with Noori
, Zeb and Haniya
, Amanat Ali
, Fakir Juman Shah and Rizwan & Muazzam. On 20 June, EP paid tribute to Sajjad Ali
by performing the song "Bolo Bolo" at the Coke Studio third season second session, "Will".
On 24 July, Entity Paradigm performed at the Saint Mary's Academy, it was the first time that the band performed after their reunion, in Rawalpindi
, Punjab
. On 2 August, the band went on to perform at BMUN (Beaconhouse Model United Nations) 2010 held in the capital city, Islamabad
. On 7 August, the band performed at the Carlton Hotel along with Overload
and Strings
in Karachi
. On 13 August, Entity Paradigm released "Shor Macha" as the first single from their upcoming second studio album, the music video of the song was a dedication to all Pakistanis. The music video of the song was sponsored by djuice
and directed by Bilal Lashari. On 7 October, the band released the first teaser of their upcoming documentary, Kuch Shor Macha - The Documentary, directed by Syed Atef Amjad Ali. Two days later, the band released another teaser of their upcoming documentary. On 26 December, in an online poll by Dawn News the band's video for their single, "Shor Macha", was voted as the second best music video of 2010.
On May 24, 2011, Entity Paradigm confirmed, through their facebook
page, that they are working on new tracks and will release a new track "Ajab Tamasha" soon. In September, EP's music video for their single "Shor Macha" directed by Bilal Lashari was nominated for the "Best Music Video" award at the Lux Style Awards
.
, rapcore
and progressive rock
, all of which merge in unique consonance to create a raw, new sound, never heard before in Pakistan
. In this regard their tracks are considered to be highly experimental within the boundaries of commercialism since the sound manages to appeal to the new generation of Pakistani listeners that have cut their teeth on bands like Linkin Park
, Staind
and so on and so forth.
The band works on the belief that their music, their lyrics, should tell a story, tender a philosophy and above all else – inspire and instigate change. Inducing metamorphosis in thought and perception is what the band aims for through its music. The band's tracks are characterized by dark, melancholy, ambient preludes and interludes, pulsating drum beats, electronica, like scratches and other sound-effects, reverberating vocals and raw, scathing guitar riffs backed up by delicate string work on the rhythms. All of which makes for a very magnified soundscape – a creative effort that thrives on the diversity, dissonance and varying backgrounds that each of the members of the band bring to it. Their music consisted of themes of self-reflection and existentialism.
In concerts the band has covered songs by artists as varied as Limp Bizkit
, Rage Against the Machine
, Sajjad Ali
, Justin Timberlake
, Tool
, Oleander
and System Of A Down
.
Former
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 rock band
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, formed by vocalist,Fawad Afzal Khan and keyboardist, Ahmed Ali Butt in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
in 2000. Their music is categorized as being associated with both progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
and progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, yet having been influenced by nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
, symphonic rock
Symphonic rock
Symphonic rock is a sub-genre of progressive rock. Since early in progressive rock's history, the term has been used sometimes to distinguish more classically influenced progressive rock from the more psychedelic and experimental forms of progressive rock....
and psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
. The band is also heavily influenced with western bands like Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
, Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
, Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
and Oleander
Oleander (band)
Oleander is a post-grunge band from Sacramento, California, USA. Its name is derived from the poisonous wildflower oleander, which line the highways of Northern California. In their nine years of activity, the band released four studio albums under various record labels...
, amongst other western music
Western music (North America)
Western music originated as a form of American folk music. Originally composed by and about the people who settled and worked throughout the Western United States and Western Canada. Directly related musically to old English, Scottish, and Irish folk ballads, Western music celebrates the life of...
rock artists.
The band are noted for being one of the pioneer mainstream rock bands in the Pakistani music industry. Their debut album, Irtiqa
Irtiqa
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Entity Paradigm:* Fawad Afzal Khan: lead vocals* Waqar Ahmed Khan: drums* Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan: lead guitar, vocals* Ahmed Ali Butt: vocals, keyboard* Salman Albert: rhythm, vocals, drums...
, released in 2003, is the first mainstream concept album to be released by a Pakistani artist. The album produced by Zulfiqar J. Khan, Fawad A. Khan and Mekaal Hasan
Mekaal Hasan
Mekaal Hasan is a leading Pakistani musician and record producer from Lahore. He has worked in the capacity of a guest artist and/or record producer in the music industry of Pakistan with many Pakistani bands and solo artists at home and abroad. He is also the leader and composer for Mekaal Hasan...
, was a critical acclaim in 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...
.
In 2007, Entity Paradigm had an interview with a local newspaper in which they announced that the band would disband due to various members aiming to pursue different projects. Early reports from the band hinted towards an album release in late 2004. In 2009, the band announced their official comeback with Fawad Afzal Khan and Ahmed Ali Butt in leading positions. However, two of the main members of the band, Zulfiqar J. Khan and Sajjad A. Khan, decided not to make a comeback due to work on different projects.
Early years (2000–2001)
Initially, Entity and Paradigm were two separate bands that were active in Lahore'sLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
underground music scene. During the early 2000s, Ahmed Ali Butt, lead vocalist of Entity and Fawad Afzal Khan, lead vocalist of Paradigm, were working together for a popular television sitcom Jutt and Bond aired on Indus Vision, it was then when the programme's director suggested that the actor's bands collaborate and do a title track for the show. Led by Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, lead guitarist of Paradigm, the two bands collaborated and within a week recorded the title song "Hamein Aazma
Hamein Aazma
"Hamein Aazma" is a rock-influenced song single by the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm from their debut album, Irtiqa. The single was released in 2003, and is the first single from the band's debut album...
", which was played at the beginning and end of the show.
Formation (2002)
In early 2002, during this time Pepsi'sPepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
advertisement began to air on television; the competition called upon entries of aspiring bands from all over 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...
. Since neither Entity nor Paragidm had any of their independent releases or compilations on the record, they decided to send "Hamein Aazma" to the competition as a collaborative effort. It was during this time Entity Paradigm officially came into being.
Entity Paradigm got together for the Battle of the Bands and went to 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...
, Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
, to take part in the competition. The band first took part in the digital round of the competition, where the band went on head to head with twenty hundred bands from across the four provinces of 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...
. The competition included competition bands like Aaroh
Aaroh
Aaroh was an alternative rock band from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, formed in 1998...
, Mekaal Hasan Band
Mekaal Hasan Band
Mekaal Hasan Band, sometimes shortened to MHB, is a sufi rock band formed in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan in 1999 by composer-songwriter, guitarist Mekaal Hasan...
and Mizmaar, which also later on became popular mainstream rock bands coming from the underground music scene. By then it was speculated that the band initiated the composing of two brand new and improved tracks never heard before, "Kahan Hai Tu" and a cover of the late sufi singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The band also performed a cover of "Face of Love" American musician Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums...
at the competition.
After a 16½-months hiatus, during which the competition was being aired on national, cabel and satellite television programmes, viewers polled for their favourite band in the competition. During this break, Abid Khan, bassist of the band, left to band to travel to England and fulfil a certain filial obligations. Bassist, Sajjad Ali Khan was recruited as a replacement for Abid Khan. By then the results of the Battle of the Bands came out and it was told that two bands who made to the finals were Entity Paradigm along with Aaroh
Aaroh
Aaroh was an alternative rock band from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, formed in 1998...
. The band again went on to perform in Karachi to compete at the finals of the competition. Although, the band lost to Aaroh by a narrow margin, the band did managed to entertain a strong audience of around 4,000 at the NRA Golf Club, where the finals were held.
Breakthrough era (2002–2005)
On 13 August 2002, Entity Paradigm performed live at the Race Course Park in LahoreLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
opening for Strings
Strings (band)
Strings are an internationally acclaimed pop rock band comprising two members from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The band was initially formed by four college students, Bilal Maqsood , Faisal Kapadia , Rafiq Wazir Ali and Kareem Bashir Bhoy in 1988...
. On 20 September 2002, the band made their live debut at the Lahore Grammar School
Lahore Grammar School
Lahore Grammar School is a group of private fee-paying group of academic institutions based in city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The system was established, in January 1979, at its 55 Main Gulberg campus. The institution provides education to both boys and girls until A Level...
, Gulberg. The boys were met by a very vocal and receptive crowd that stayed on their feet during the entire performance which lasted for more than an hour. On 1 October 2002, Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
signed Entity Paradigm on a year deal. On 6 October, after their explosive live debut performance at Lahore Grammar School, Gulberg, the band rocked a crowd of more than 600 at the Defence Auditorium. The concert was held under the auspices of Lahore Grammar School, Defence. On 13 October, the band announced that they will be recording their new songs in the studio after a week. The name of both the songs were called "Waqt
Waqt
Waqt is the Urdu and Arabic word for Time. It may also refer to:* the time schedule for Muslim prayers, see Salat times* Waqt, song from the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm* Waqt, a 1965 film directed by Yash Chopra...
" and "Rahguzar
On 2 November 2002, the band headed off to Karachi to perform at the College of Business & Management. On 6 December 2002, Entity Paradigm released samples of "Waqt" and "Rahguzar". On 7 December, the music video of "Kahan Hai Tu
Kahan Hai Tu
"Kahan Hai Tu" is a rock-influenced song single by the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm from their debut album, Irtiqa. The single was released in 2003, and is the third single from the band's debut album. The song is written by band members, Ahmed Ali Butt and Zulfiqar J...
" was shot at Walton Airport
Walton Airport
Walton Airport is situated near Model Town, 10 km from the city centre of Lahore, the capital of the Punjab province in Pakistan. It caters to general aviation and is used by several flying clubs...
, Lahore directed by Ahmed Ali Butt, which was attended by a crowd of 150 people for the shooting. On 14 December, the band performed in Karachi again at the PAF Yacht Club. On 27 December, the band along with Call performed at Lobelia School System, Gulberg in Lahore. On 28 December, Entity Paradigm performed at the Rock Music Festival, the biggest rock music event of Pakistan, held at Alhamra in Lahore.
On 11 January 2003, Entity Paradigm performed along with nine other underground bands at the National Rock Festival 2003 held at the Model Town Club, in Lahore. On 1 October 2003, after recording songs during the summers, the band released their debut full-length studio album, which was slated to be for a 25 September 2003, release date. Irtiqa
Irtiqa
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Entity Paradigm:* Fawad Afzal Khan: lead vocals* Waqar Ahmed Khan: drums* Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan: lead guitar, vocals* Ahmed Ali Butt: vocals, keyboard* Salman Albert: rhythm, vocals, drums...
, produced by Zulfiqa J. Khan, Fawad A. Khan and songwriter-producer Mekaal Hasan
Mekaal Hasan
Mekaal Hasan is a leading Pakistani musician and record producer from Lahore. He has worked in the capacity of a guest artist and/or record producer in the music industry of Pakistan with many Pakistani bands and solo artists at home and abroad. He is also the leader and composer for Mekaal Hasan...
, became a critical acclaim in 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...
and became one of the first mainstream concept album released by a Pakistani artist. Singles like "Waqt
Waqt
Waqt is the Urdu and Arabic word for Time. It may also refer to:* the time schedule for Muslim prayers, see Salat times* Waqt, song from the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm* Waqt, a 1965 film directed by Yash Chopra...
", "Hamesha", "Aghosh" and "Kahan Hai Tu
Kahan Hai Tu
"Kahan Hai Tu" is a rock-influenced song single by the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm from their debut album, Irtiqa. The single was released in 2003, and is the third single from the band's debut album. The song is written by band members, Ahmed Ali Butt and Zulfiqar J...
" all topped the local music charts. The single "Waqt" also charted at top in India. Irtiqa, meaning progression, revolved around a theme of evolution. The soun of the album is very melodic and doom paced, influenced by heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, heavily relied on fast keyboards and drums and heavy guitar riffs. The band also went on a tour all across the country to promote their debut album release.
On February 2, 2005, Entity Paradigm performed a charity concert for the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami victims along with Junoon, Call and Jal
Jal (band)
Jal is a pop rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The band originally consisted of song writer, vocalist and lead guitarist, Goher Mumtaz and vocalist, Atif Aslam...
at Alhamra Auditorium
Alhamra Arts Council
Alhamra Arts Council is a name in the World of Architecture in Pakistan. It is a heart of Pakistani architecture because it shows all the traditions and Architecture of Pakistan....
in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
.
Disbanding and subsequent projects (2007–2008)
On 9 January 2007, Entity Paradigm had an interview with "Images" (Karachi's Dawn newspaper) in which they announced that the band would disband due to various members aiming to pursue different projects. Early reports from the band hinted towards an album release in late 2004, thus far IrtiqaIrtiqa
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Entity Paradigm:* Fawad Afzal Khan: lead vocals* Waqar Ahmed Khan: drums* Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan: lead guitar, vocals* Ahmed Ali Butt: vocals, keyboard* Salman Albert: rhythm, vocals, drums...
is the only album to be released by Entity Paradigm which is distributed by Lips Records.
After the group's breakup, Zulfiqar J. Khan and Waqar A. Khan joined Call
Call (Pakistani band)
Call is a rock band from Lahore, Pakistan, formed by Zulfiqar J. Khan, Danish J. Khan, Khurram J. Khan and Omer Pervaiz. In 1996, the band's guitarist, Omer Pervaiz left to concentrate on his solo project, Naqsh and the band bassist, Shahzad Hameed, left to pursuit his own solo project. Ahsan Fida...
and Zulfiqar J. Khan directed a new single, "Shayad" which top the charts and Call
Call (Pakistani band)
Call is a rock band from Lahore, Pakistan, formed by Zulfiqar J. Khan, Danish J. Khan, Khurram J. Khan and Omer Pervaiz. In 1996, the band's guitarist, Omer Pervaiz left to concentrate on his solo project, Naqsh and the band bassist, Shahzad Hameed, left to pursuit his own solo project. Ahsan Fida...
released their debut album Jilawatan
Jilawatan
-Personnel:Call*Junaid Khan - lead vocals*Zulfiqar J. Khan - lead guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals*Sultan Raja - bass guitars*Waqar Ahmed Khan - drumsProduction*Produced by Zulfiqar J. Khan*Recorded & Mixed at Xth Harmonic Studio in Lahore, Pakistan...
. Later on Waqar subsequently left the band. Fawad A. Khan continued his acting career. He first appeared in the second highest grossing film of 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...
, Khuda Kay Liye and there was tremendous curiosity around the film. All the critics gave it a positive review. Salman Albert, Waqar A. Khan and Hassan Khalid accompanied Ahmed Ali Butt to form a new band, Rubberband and released a new single "Chall". Ahmed Ali Butt continued working on other projects like Rubberband and worked for different television channels like AAG TV
AAG TV
AAG TV is a youth entertainment channel in Pakistan, owned by Independent Media Corporation . The Urdu word "aag" means "fire."...
, Wikkid etc.
Reunion (2009)
On 12 March 2009, Entity Paradigm announced its official return by performing for first time in over four years. The performance was held at LUMSLahore University of Management Sciences
The Lahore University of Management Sciences, usually referred to by its acronym LUMS, is a university located in Lahore, Pakistan. LUMS was established in 1984 by a group of industrialists and people belonging to Pakistan's leading private and public sector corporations, to provide rigorous...
and was attended by an enthusiastic audience. Without Xulfi and Sajjad A. Khan, the current formation of the band includes Fawad Khan on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Ahmed Ali Butt on keyboards and vocals, Hassan Khalid on bass, Salman Albert on lead guitars, and Waqar Khan on drums. Unfortunately, the reunion did not make big news in the press and media.
Shortly after their reunion they went on performing 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...
at Ramada Hotel on 1 May, where the band debut their new song "Shor Macha
Shor Macha
"Shor Macha" is a song by the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm. It is the overall seventh single release by the band, and also being the first single since their comeback in 2009...
". They also announced that their second album will be released in December 2010. On 28 June, Entity Paradigm were going to make the long-awaited comeback at Lok Virsa Theater
Lok Virsa Museum
Lok Virsa Museum is situated in Islamabad, Pakistan. It displays the cultural heritage of Pakistani people. The living style of the different areas of Pakistan is exhibited here in statues, pictures, pottery, music and textile work...
, Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
, but did not play at their gig at the concert which created a chaos among fans. In response to the violence, Fawad Afzal Khan, the lead vocalist of the band, responded that it was due to mismanagement of the organizers the band was not able to perform at the concert.
Ushering a new revival (2010–present)
On 13 February 2010, Entity Paradigm along with Bilal Khan performed at Lahore Grammar SchoolLahore Grammar School
Lahore Grammar School is a group of private fee-paying group of academic institutions based in city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The system was established, in January 1979, at its 55 Main Gulberg campus. The institution provides education to both boys and girls until A Level...
(Defence Phase V Branch) in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. In February, news broke about Entity Paradigm taking part in the Coke Studio
Coke Studio
Coke Studio is a Pakistani television series featuring live music performances. Although it is adapted from the original Brazilian show named Estúdio Coca-Cola, it is fundamentally different from the original version where the show was a concert style show whereas the Pakistani version records its...
third season and were found jamming with Arif Lohar
Arif Lohar
Arif Lohar is a Pakistani folk singer. He usually sings with native musical instrument resembling tongs . His folk music is representative of traditional folk heritage of the Punjab...
at Coke Studio in Karachi. It was also reported that they are going to perform a song together. On 20 February, the band announced that they will be shooting the video of their new single "Shor Macha
Shor Macha
"Shor Macha" is a song by the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm. It is the overall seventh single release by the band, and also being the first single since their comeback in 2009...
" and through facebook invited fans to take part in the shooting of the music video. On 26 February, Entity Paradigm again performed at Lahore Grammar School
Lahore Grammar School
Lahore Grammar School is a group of private fee-paying group of academic institutions based in city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The system was established, in January 1979, at its 55 Main Gulberg campus. The institution provides education to both boys and girls until A Level...
(Johar Town Branch) in Lahore. On 21 March, EP performed at the Battle Field Arena and then on Pakistan Day, 23 March, the band performed at LUMS
Lahore University of Management Sciences
The Lahore University of Management Sciences, usually referred to by its acronym LUMS, is a university located in Lahore, Pakistan. LUMS was established in 1984 by a group of industrialists and people belonging to Pakistan's leading private and public sector corporations, to provide rigorous...
one year after their reunion there.
On 15 May, the lineup for Coke Studio confirmed that Entity Paradigm will feature in the third season along with many well known artists and bands like Noori
Noori
Noori is a rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, formed in 1996. The band is directed by founder, lead guitarist and songwriter, Ali Noor, and his brother, Ali Hamza, who were soon joined by bassist Muhammad Ali Jafri and drummer Salman Albert...
, Aunty Disco Project
Aunty Disco Project
Aunty Disco Project, sometimes shortened to ADP, are a boy band from Karachi, Pakistan. This band is purely inspired by boy bands from the 90's such as Nsync, Boyzone & Westlife...
, Karavan
Karavan
Karavan is a rock band from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, formed in 1997. The band is founded by former Awaz lead guitarist Asad Ahmed with the help of his friend bassist Sameer Ahmed, who were soon joined by drummer Allan Smith and lead vocalist Najam Sheraz. Karavan are regarded as one of the most...
, Abida Parveen
Abida Parveen
Abida Parveen , is a Pakistani singer of Sindhi descent and one of the foremost exponents of Sufi music . She sings mainly ghazals, Urdu love songs, and her forte, Kafis, a solo genre accompanied by percussion and harmonium, using a repertoire of songs by Sufi poets...
and many other successful musicians. On 8 June, it was confirmed that EP will perform at the Coke Studio second session along with Noori
Noori
Noori is a rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, formed in 1996. The band is directed by founder, lead guitarist and songwriter, Ali Noor, and his brother, Ali Hamza, who were soon joined by bassist Muhammad Ali Jafri and drummer Salman Albert...
, Zeb and Haniya
Zeb and Haniya
Zeb and Haniya is a pop group from Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The duo's songs are mostly in Urdu, but some lyrics are also in Pashto, Persian and Turkish...
, Amanat Ali
Amanat Ali
Amanat Ali was one of the finalists on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007. He placed third in the competition and garnered 334,314,257 votes in the final two weeks. Choreographer Farah Khan and Indian ghazal singer Jagjit Singh heralded him as a "great discovery" and remarked that he "goes beyond Sa...
, Fakir Juman Shah and Rizwan & Muazzam. On 20 June, EP paid tribute to Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali is a Pakistani semi-classical, pop singer, film actor, director and producer. He is trained in classical singing.- Early life and education :...
by performing the song "Bolo Bolo" at the Coke Studio third season second session, "Will".
On 24 July, Entity Paradigm performed at the Saint Mary's Academy, it was the first time that the band performed after their reunion, in Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
, Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
. On 2 August, the band went on to perform at BMUN (Beaconhouse Model United Nations) 2010 held in the capital city, Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
. On 7 August, the band performed at the Carlton Hotel along with Overload
Overload (Pakistani band)
Overload is a rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Founded in 2004, the band is directed by founder, vocalist and drummer Farhad Humayun, who was soon joined by Sheraz Siddiq on keyboards, Hassan Mohyeddin on percussions and dhol players, Pappu Sain and Jhura Sain...
and Strings
Strings (band)
Strings are an internationally acclaimed pop rock band comprising two members from Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The band was initially formed by four college students, Bilal Maqsood , Faisal Kapadia , Rafiq Wazir Ali and Kareem Bashir Bhoy in 1988...
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...
. On 13 August, Entity Paradigm released "Shor Macha" as the first single from their upcoming second studio album, the music video of the song was a dedication to all Pakistanis. The music video of the song was sponsored by djuice
Djuice
djuice is a youth based mobile phone plan from Telenor. It is currently available in Bangladesh, Hungary, Montenegro, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden and Ukraine. Djuice was available in Malaysia, New Zealand and Thailand...
and directed by Bilal Lashari. On 7 October, the band released the first teaser of their upcoming documentary, Kuch Shor Macha - The Documentary, directed by Syed Atef Amjad Ali. Two days later, the band released another teaser of their upcoming documentary. On 26 December, in an online poll by Dawn News the band's video for their single, "Shor Macha", was voted as the second best music video of 2010.
On May 24, 2011, Entity Paradigm confirmed, through their facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page, that they are working on new tracks and will release a new track "Ajab Tamasha" soon. In September, EP's music video for their single "Shor Macha" directed by Bilal Lashari was nominated for the "Best Music Video" award at the Lux Style Awards
Lux Style Awards
The Lux Style Awards is an award ceremony held annually in Pakistan since 2002. The awards celebrate "style" in the Pakistani entertainment industry, and honour the country's best talents in film, television, music, and fashion. Around 30 awards are given annually.The Lux Style Awards is considered...
.
Music style and influences
Entity Paradigm is one of the first bands in Pakistan to have two vocalists and two drummers and up to eight members in a band. Entity Paradigm is a fusion of different elements in music like alternative rockAlternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
, rapcore
Rapcore
Rapcore is a subgenre of rap rock fusing vocal and sometimes instrumental elements of hip hop with punk rock .-History:...
and progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, all of which merge in unique consonance to create a raw, new sound, never heard before in 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...
. In this regard their tracks are considered to be highly experimental within the boundaries of commercialism since the sound manages to appeal to the new generation of Pakistani listeners that have cut their teeth on bands like Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
, Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
and so on and so forth.
The band works on the belief that their music, their lyrics, should tell a story, tender a philosophy and above all else – inspire and instigate change. Inducing metamorphosis in thought and perception is what the band aims for through its music. The band's tracks are characterized by dark, melancholy, ambient preludes and interludes, pulsating drum beats, electronica, like scratches and other sound-effects, reverberating vocals and raw, scathing guitar riffs backed up by delicate string work on the rhythms. All of which makes for a very magnified soundscape – a creative effort that thrives on the diversity, dissonance and varying backgrounds that each of the members of the band bring to it. Their music consisted of themes of self-reflection and existentialism.
In concerts the band has covered songs by artists as varied as Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
, Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali is a Pakistani semi-classical, pop singer, film actor, director and producer. He is trained in classical singing.- Early life and education :...
, Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
, Oleander
Oleander (band)
Oleander is a post-grunge band from Sacramento, California, USA. Its name is derived from the poisonous wildflower oleander, which line the highways of Northern California. In their nine years of activity, the band released four studio albums under various record labels...
and System Of A Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
.
Band members
Current- Fawad Afzal KhanFawad Afzal KhanFawad Afzal Khan is a Pakistani actor, singer and model. He is most widely recognized for his performance in the 2007 movie Khuda Kay Liye by Shoaib Mansoor. Khan is also widely known for being the lead singer of Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm....
– vocals, backing vocals,rhythm guitars (2000–2007, 2009–present) - Ahmed Ali Butt – vocals, backing vocals, keyboards (2000–2007, 2009–present)
- Salman Albert – lead guitar, drums, backing vocals (2000–2007, 2009–present)
- Waqar Ahmed Khan – drums (2000–2007, 2009–present)
- Hassaan Khalid – bass guitars (2000–2007, 2009–present)
Former
- Abid Khan – bass guitars (2000–2002)
- Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan – lead guitars, vocals (2000–2007)
- Sajjad Ali Khan – bass guitars (2002–2007)