Search - Faraz :: Abstract Point of View

Unbelievable Guitar Wizardry

Joel Israel | Cedar City, UT United States | 11/07/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Pakistani guitarist Faraz Anwar is one of the gifted few,prodigies whose talents are seemingly unlimited in scope. This album came out of nowhere for me; I picked it up on a whim after reading many positive reviews. I have listened to instrumental guitar albums since their heydey back in the eighties, but this is so creative, restless, and different from anything else in the genre. Faraz Anwar obviously has the chops, from fluid legato solos to outrageous arpeggio fills and staccato speed picking, but many guitarists do. What really sets him apart is his almost genre-defying avant-garde creativity. Jazz, rock, electronica, and just about every kind of musical expression you can imagine come out on this wonderful album. A seemingly inexhaustible supply of melodic ideas and imaginative explorations flow out of this guy like a flood. Sophisticated chord progressions and time changes, interesting us of effects and dynamics, and did I mention the dude has chops? There is enough crammed on this release for four albums. Recommended, but requires attention and patience."

Not to be overlooked among other progressive rock bands and

Mohsin Khan | California | 06/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The renowned progressive metal band Mizaar's guitarist and vocalist, Faraz Anwar is a man who seems to be above the pack in Pakistan's metal scene. He is back with a solo guitar instrumental album. This album displays not only amazing guitar technique and catchy riffs and hooks and is precise on the technical aspect, but what makes this album unique and inspiring is it is unafraid to explore and incite imagination. It is a more artsy sort of progressive rock and much better than your average knockoffs in the metal world who try to imitate John Pettuci, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, etc (although the original guitarists themselves are brilliant and as excellent as they get). Some of the artsy merit comes from the nifty blending of quite prominent keyboards and good bass playing. Unlike a lot of proficient guitarists out there Faraz Anwar must understand there is a difference between being creative with the guitar and being technically adept and he was clever enough to merge both these strong qualities into a fine album."