AvoidRafa's “Bhaar” released

To anyone who has followed the rock music scene of Bangladesh over the last decade, Rafa is one of the most distinctively recognizable names. From his early days as a heavy metal drummer to adding a fresh burst of energy to local rock juggernaut Aurthohin and being a fantastic record producer, he has done a great deal, but that has not come without a cost: an album of his own.

Finally, that weight got off his chest, when “Bhaar”, the debut album of his solo project AvoidRafa, was released on Friday at the Russian Cultural Centre. ABC Radio FM 89.2 – where Rafa also hosts his show HotBox –partnered with HotBox Entertainment for the event that featured album signing and a live concert. ABC Radio's COO Daniel Afzalur Rahman and popular ad and TV filmmaker Shafayet Mansur Rana were present at the ceremony. A number of rockers from other bands also joined Rafa on stage for a portion of his live set.

The double-disc album had earlier been available for a free stream on AvoidRafa's site, which it still is, and is also available on the music streaming app Gaan, aside from the physical CDs. Rafa's musical prowess shines through in the 21 songs (plus a bonus track), that mixes up powerful progressive rock with funky pop-rock styles that his audience come to associate him with.