Entity Paradigm

Entity Paradigm, sometimes shortened to [E.P], is a rock band from Lahore, Pakistan, formed by Fawad Afzal Khan (vocals) and Ahmed Ali Butt (keyboards). Entity Paradigm is one of the pioneer mainstream rock bands in the Pakistani music industry, and its music. Musically, Entity Paradigm are heavily influenced by Tool, and Linkin Park, amongst other Western music rock artists.

The band disbanded in 2007 and on March 12, 2009 Entity Paradigm announced their official comeback with Fawad 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.

History

Formation and the Battle of the bands (2000–2003)

Initially, Entity and Paradigm were two separate bands that were active in Lahore’s underground music scene.During the early 2000s Ahmad Ali Butt from Entity and Fawad Afzal Khan from Paradigm were working on a popular TV sitcom called Jutt and Bond (which originally aired on Indus Vision), when the program’s director suggested that the actor’s bands do a title track for the show. Led by Paradigm’s guitarist, Xulfi, the two bands collaborated and within a week came up with the Jutt and Bond’s title song, called “Humain Aazma”, which was played at the beginning and end of the show.

It was during this time when adverts for Pepsi’s Battle of the Bands began to air on television; the competition called upon entries of aspiring bands from all over Pakistan. Since neither Entity nor Paradigm had any of their independent compilations on record and time was running out, they decided to send off “Hamein Aazma” to the Battle of the Bands as a collaborative effort. It was at this point that Entity Paradigm officially came into being.

Entity Paradigm got together for the battle of the bands competition and flew off to Karachi and took part in the digital round of the Battle Of The Bands in which they went head to head with twenty hundred bands from across the four provinces of Pakistan. It included names such as Mekaal Hasan Band.

Some speculate that it was during this time that they initiated the composing of two brand new and improved tracks never heard before, “Kahan Hai Tu” and a cover of the late, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Eddie Vedder’s, “Face Of Love” for the Battle of the Bands campaign mode. Then a 16½-month hiatus came during which the Battle of the Bands programs were being aired on national, local, cable, and satellite television and viewers were being polled on their favorite bands. It was during this break Abid Khan left the band for England to fulfill certain filial obligations. This paved with cement and sand the way for backstage entry of a brand new member, Sajjad Ali Khan.

And so it was told that the two bands that had made it to The Battle of the Bands Grand Finals were Entity Paradigm and Aaroh. The band once again took off to Karachi for the finals where they lost out to Aaroh by a narrow margin, but managed to entertain a strong audience, of what some claim to be exactly 4,000 and not one more, at the NRA Golf Club where the final round was held.They released their debut album, “Irtiqa”, in 2003.

Irtiqa (2003–2006)

On October 1, 2003, after recording for the duration of the summer, Entity Paradigm’s full-length debut album was released which was slated for a 25 September 2003 release date. Irtiqa, produced by Zulfiqar J. Khan, Fawad A. Khan and Mekaal Hasan, was a critical accalaim in Pakistan. Irtiqa saw top-ten singles including “Waqt” ^. “Hamesha”, “Aghosh” and “Kahan Hai Tu”.

“Irtiqa” was the first mainstream concept album to be released by a Pakistani artist. “Irtiqa” means “progress” or “evolution” in Urdu, and the album revolves around this theme. The sound of Irtiqa was very melodic and doom paced, influenced by heavy metal and progressive rock, heavily relied on fast keyboards and drums and heavy guitar riffs.

Entity Paradigm travelled throughout the country to promote Irtiqa.

Disbanding and subsequent projects (2007–2008)

On January 9, 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 Irtiqa is the only album to be released by Entity Paradigm which is distributed by Lips Records.

After the group’s breakup, Xulfi and Waqar joined Call and Xulfi directed a new single, “Shayad” which top the charts and Call released their debut album Jilawatan. Later on Waqar subsequently left the band.

Fawad 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 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.

Entity Paradigm in Karachi at Ramada Hotel, 2009.

Reunion (2009)

On March 12, 2009, Entity Paradigm announced its official return by performing for first time in over four years. The performance was held at LUMS 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 2009 where the band debut their new song “Shor Macha”. They also announced that their second album will be released in December, 2010. On June 28, 2009, Entity Paradigm were going to make the long-awaited comeback, did not play at their gig at the concert held at Lok Virsa Theater, Islamabad, 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.

Coke Studio (2010-present)

On February 13, 2010, Entity Paradigm along with Bilal Khan performed at Lahore Grammar School (Defence Phase V Branch) in Lahore. In February 2010, 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 February 20, 2010, 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 February 26, 2010, Entity Paradigm again performed at Lahore Grammar School (Johar Town Branch) in Lahore. On March 21, 2010 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 May 15, 2010, 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 June 8, 2010, it was confirmed that EP will perform at the Coke Studio second episode along with Noori, Zeb and Haniya, Amanat Ali, Fakir Juman Shah and Rizwan & Muazzam. On June 20, 2010, EP paid tribute to Sajjad Ali by performing the song “Bolo Bolo” at the Coke Studio third season second episode, “Will”.

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 rock, 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 and Oleander and System Of A Down.

Band members

Current

• Fawad Afzal Khan – vocals, backing vocals (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 – rhythm guitar, bass guitars (2000–2007, 2009–present)

Former

• Abid Khan – bass guitars (2000)
• Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan – lead guitars, vocals (2000–2007)
• Sajjad Ali Khan – bass guitars (2000–2007)