Arbovirus (band)
Arbovirus is a Bangladeshi rock band formed in 2001 in Dhaka. They have released three Studio Albums, one EP, and twelve singles through various mixed albums.
ARBOVIRUS | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Background information | |
Origin | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Genres | |
Years active | 2001–present |
Labels | |
Members |
|
Past members |
|
History
Formation and early years (2001-2005)
Suharto Sherif formed the band with Asif Asgar Ranjan on guitars, Ishtiaq Ahmed Shobhon on vocals and Ahsanur Rahman Himel on drums in 2001.
Around mid-2003, Ishtiaq Jishan and Farhan Tanim joined as bassist and drummer respectively. In the same year Sufi joined as a vocal to complete the lineup.
Band's early releases include singles like "আর্তনাদ (ARTONAD)" in the mixed album "আগন্তুক-২ (AGONTUK-2)", which earned them their first record deal with the label G-Series.
64m 53s (2006)
Band released their debut album 64m 53s on July 20, 2006, under the banner of G-Series.
On 26 January 2006, Arbovirus performed their first international show at the Salt Lake Stadium on the eve of Indian Republic Day along with Warfaze, Artcell, Metal Maze, Lakkhichhara, Cactus (Indian band), Insomnia (band), and Fossils.
Struggle with the line up (2008-2011)
In 2008 Jishan moved abroad to pursue higher education. Tanim followed the same path in 2009. Aldnane Alam joined shortly after Jishan left. Shuvo (Ex Aurthohin) joined as a drummer, but he also left the band in 2001
In 2012 drummer Nafeez Al Amin joined the band.
Montobbo Nishproyojon (2012-2013)
In 2012 - partnering with Livesquare, and Apex Footwear Sprint as a sponsor - band signed a deal[1] for the second album.
In December 2012 the band performed in the "Urban Youth Festival".
They made two collaborative tracks with Beatbaksho, rapper Amewu and one of the Voice of the Germany producer DJ Werd. They also performed the entire set on the Ekushey TV, including their title track "Raise Your Voice", and "Grime Time".[2]
Arbovirus released their second album Montobbo Nishproyojon on 5 July 2013 at the Russian Cultural Center.[3] The album consists of eight tracks. In order to bridge the seven years gap with their audience the band decided to give it away as a free digital download, and never released any physical version of it until the release of Bishesh Droshtobbo.
Bishesh Droshtobbo (2017)
Their third album, Bishesh Droshtobbo, was initially planned as a B-side album of the second album with the left over tracks from their second album. But later on the band decided to add more songs to it and release it as a full-length album which now consists of nine tracks.[4]
Band organized their first ever solo concert since their foundation to commemorate 15 years of the band and the launching of their third album. The concert was held on 13 January 2017 in Russian Cultural Center. The album was released on their YouTube channel, and double CD of both Montobyo Nishproyojon and Bishesh Droshtobbo was made available through pre-order home-delivery.[5] Since the band did not sign up with any record label, they took over the CD production and packaging among the teammates. All the packaging were personally done by the band members and associated teammates.
Republic of Arbovirus (2023)
Republic of Arbovirus is the fourth studio album of Arbovirus. The first song of this album, "Onubhuti", was released on March 30, 2023. This album was recorded with the new vocalist Shahan Kamal (Uday).[6]
Lyrics
All of the lyrics are written in Bangla, and written by Ranjan, except for 'Artonad' by Shobhon, 'Ja Ichhe Tai', and 'Shottogatha' by Sufi and 'Shopnadishto' by Rumman.
Associated acts
Guitarist Ranjan has been contributing to different bands as a lyricist for quite a long time, even long before he formed the band. He has contributed lyrics to many prominent musicians including Miles, Artcell, and Aurthohin. Besides – he has an experimental project named Purple Haze, Lare Lappa, and recently Offend My Ego.
On 15 January 2015, Sufi along with Polash from Warfaze, Shakib from Cryptic Fate, Jamshed from Powersurge performed at the curtain closing show of Rockstrata, one of the pioneering Heavy Metal bands of Bangladesh.[7]
Bassist Aldnane also has been playing and writing lyrics for the experimental rock band Kral. He is also a part of the Progressive Instrumental supergroup Air and Air who has released its first studio album in 2014.
Drummer Nafeez has previously played for Dethrow, Breach, Kronic, Elita Karim and Friends, and Jazzy Chopsticks. In 2019 Nafeez got the endorsement from Soultone Cymbals.[8]
One of the songwriters/Producer and Guitarist Suharto has solely contributed to the band ARBOVIRUS only.
Discography
Studio albums
- 64m 53s (20 July 2006)
- Montobbo Nishproyojon (5 July 2013)
- Bishesh Droshtobbo (13 January 2017)
- Republic of ARBOVIRUS (2023)
Extended play
- Otopor (14 April 2019)
Singles (in various mixed albums)
- Aartonad in Agantuk 2 (2003)
- Obhishap in Din Bodol (2004)
- Shopnadishto in Lokayot (2004)
- Shohor in Boka Manushta {ft. Sumon 'BassBaba' of Aurthohin} (2007)
- Shurjo Shontan in Live Now (2007)
- Prayoshchitto in Bonno {ft. Fuad Almuqtadir} (2007)
- Addhek Kotha in Rock 101 (2008)
- Keu Karo Noy in Rock 202 (2009)
- Prarthona in Rock 505 (2010)
- Bangladesh Gori in Gorje Uttho Bangladesh (2011)
- Agontuk in Rock 606 (2011)
- Goal in Rock 808 (2015)
Band members
Current members
- Suharto Sherif – Guitars, Vocals (2001–present)
- Montasir Mamun Shopno - Guitars (2021-present)
- Sayemul Islam Riyad - Drums (2021-present)
- Shams Alim Biswas - Bass (2021-present).
- Shahan Kamal (Uday) - Vocal (2022- Present)
Former members
- Ishtiaq Ahmed Shovon – Vocals (2001–2003)
- Ahsanur Rahman Himel – Drums (2001–2003)
- Asif Asgar Ranjan – Lyrics, Guitars (2001–2020)
- Ishtiaq Hossain Jishan – Bass (2003–2008)
- Farhan Tanim – Drums (2003–2009)
- Sufi Maverick – Vocals (2003–2022)
- Aldnane Alam - Bass (2009–2017)
- Muntasir Mamun Shuvo – Drums (2010–2011)
- Nafeez Al Amin – Drums (2012–2020)
- Fasihuddin Ahmed - Guitars (2016- 2020)
- Mong Sai Marma - Bass (2016-2021)
Timeline

References
- "Arbovirus signs deal with Apex Sprint". The Daily Star. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
- "Urban Youth Festival at Goethe-Institut". The Daily Star. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- "Montobyo Nishproyojon: Essentially infectious". The Daily Star. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- আর্বোভাইরাসের 'বিশেষ দ্রষ্টব্য .... Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- "#infected by Arbovirus". The Daily Star. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- Arbovirus releases first song without Sufi. the daily star. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- "Rock Strata: One Last Live". The Daily Sun. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- "Nafeez Al Amin endorsed by Soultone Cymbals". The Daily Star. Retrieved 14 March 2019.