After an eight-year stint with “Warfaze,” Balam departed from the group in 2007 to focus on his solo endeavors. This year, the legendary band commemorated its 40th anniversary with a global tour that included a stop in Canada, where fans were pleasantly surprised by a reunion with their former vocalist and guitarist.
In the spirit of the milestone, “Warfaze” frontman Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu had previously disclosed plans for concerts in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, and India, alongside their shows in Bangladesh. He had also alluded to the potential participation of former members. Staying true to this vision, Warfaze took the stage in Toronto on September 26, welcoming Balam back to perform alongside his former bandmates.
Taking to social media to share snapshots from the event, Balam expressed, “I am humbled and thrilled to be part of the 40th-anniversary concert of “Warfaze” in Toronto. My heartfelt thanks to the audience, and special appreciation to those who made this reunion possible.”
Reflecting on the occasion, he remarked, “While I have previously performed solo in Canada on numerous occasions, this event was particularly meaningful as I had the opportunity to collaborate with Warfaze. Having been a part of the band for many years, reuniting with them on stage after such a long time was an immensely gratifying experience.”
Balam initially joined “Warfaze” in 1999, enjoying an eight-year tenure with the ensemble. His vocals were prominently featured on three tracks from the 2000 album “Alo” — “Joto Durey”, “Shomoy”, and “Nei Tumi”. In 2003, he lent his voice to the entire “Moharaj” album, with tracks like “Moharaj”, “Hariye Tomake”, “Cyclone”, and “Boshonto” propelling him to widespread acclaim.
Even before his official induction, Balam shared a deep connection with the band. Being a relative of founding member Babna Karim, he had been familiar with the group since childhood, often attending their rehearsals. Babna, who also participated in the Toronto concert, later expressed, “I try to attend events in Toronto whenever possible, but this one was truly special — celebrating 40 years of Warfaze and reuniting on stage brought immense joy.”