page_title: Bangladeshi heavy metal
section_title: Foundation: 1980-1993
hierarchical_section_title: Bangladeshi heavy metal / History / 1980s and 1990s (Origins) / Foundation: 1980-1993
caption_attribution_description: English: Rock Strata first lineup.
context_page_description: Bangladeshi heavy metal or Bangla heavy metal was originated from the evolution of British and American heavy metal bands of 1980s. Bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth have had the greatest influences on Bangladeshi heavy metal musicians. Other 70s bands to influence are bands like Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Motörhead. First bands to deploy heavy metal in Bangladesh are bands like Warfaze and Rockstrata. The most prominent era for heavy metal movement was between early 90s to early 2000s. Warfaze, Rockstrata, Aces and In Dhaka are often considered as the "big four founders of heavy metal". Other 2000s metal bands are bands like Artcell, Aurthohin, Cryptic Fate, Powersurge, Mechanix, Metal Maze, Vibe and Stentorian. Alternative bands like Nemesis, Arbovirus and Black also played some alternative metal songs over the years. Warfaze, Artcell and Aurthohin together is the most popular rock/metal trio of Bangladesh.
context_section_description: The 1980s was the most important decade for foundation of heavy metal in Bangladesh. heavy metal and hard rock became very popular among young music fans. The young musicians picked up their instruments and started to cover hard rock and heavy metal songs. They also followed the styles of English and American metal bands styles - growing long hair, forming bands with English name, wearing tight jeans, t-shirt, boots etc. However, due to cultural impact and strictness many boys weren't allowed to grow long hair until they became famous. Back in the '80s, there wasn't any internet connection or much broadcasting facilities in Bangladesh for foreign heavy metal bands. But there was also a local shop called, "Rainbow", in Dhaka, which used to distribute foreign metal bands' albums. The shop played an important role for inspiring Bangladeshi musicians with foreign metal acts. The shop is still activate. Primarily drawing influences from NWOBHM bands such as Iron Maiden and Motörhead with an early influence of 70s traditional heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, many underground hard rock and heavy metal bands were formed in Dhaka from early 80s to mid 80s. It was an immediate response of New Wave of British Heavy Metal music from Bangladeshi musicians. Many psychedelic rock and blues rock artists of Bangladesh also inspired them to go forward. While some young guitarists at that time were also impressed by the guitar playing of neoclassical metal artists such as Ritchie Blackmore, Randy Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker and Paul Gilbert. The first ever Bangladeshi heavy metal band to be formed was "Waves" on 25 December 1981, Frankfurt, Germany. The band was formed by three Bangladeshi teenagers - Iftekhar, Mahmud and Mithu living in the Germany. Their early influences include hard rock and metal bands like AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, Thin Lizzy and Van Halen. They returned to Bangladesh in 1983. In 1984, Waves recorded 3 songs for BTV for its upcoming Eid show but BTVs GM called the entire show an "Opo-Shankscrity" and decided not to air Waves. Following that incident, Waves was banned from performing at the venues in Bangladseh including BTV. Many line up changes happened while some of the members moved abroad. They covered "Heaven and Hell" of Black Sabbath in 1985. A video footage can be found on YouTube about their lead singer asking their audiences if it was right banning Waves from performing on BTV and if they (the audience) would want to cut Iftekhar's (their bassist) long hair. Waves disbanded in 1985. And after almost 10 years they released their only album, Purono Smriti. They have been inactive for ever since after 1996. In 1984, Warfaze was formed. They were young heavy metal fans from St.Joeseph. At the time heavy metal wasn't yet mainstream music in Bangladesh. Mainstream music included genres such as pop, folk and blues. So, Warfaze started as a cover band. They used to cover English hard rock and heavy metal songs of bands such as Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and Dokken. After multiple line-up changes and 7 years later of their formation they released their self-titled debut album, "Warfaze", in 1991 under Sargam records. The album is considered one of the most influential heavy metal albums of Bangaldesh. Songs like "Boshe Achi" and "Ekti Chele" were big hits. Warfaze continued working on their following albums - "Obak Valobasha", "Jibon Dhara" and "Oshamajik" in the '90s. Although at the time, there were few bands who played heavy riffs and solos, but there were no bands who had a singer like Warfaze's first singer, Sunjoy. Most of the metal/hard rock bands' vocalists where singing in melodic vocals with heavy riffs. But Sunjoy's powerful high-pitched screaming voice helped developing the idea of heavy metal singing. He was inspired by and often followed the singing style of Ian Gillan. His screams in "Ekti Chele" is a perfect example of it which lasts for about 20 seconds. Sunjoy has been the most influential heavy metal vocalist of Bangladesh. On the other hand, Wa
caption: Rockstrata was one of the pioneering metal bands of Bangladesh along with Warfaze. They disbanded soon after their influential debut album, "Rockstrata"