The Association for Bangladeshi Students and Scholars at WSU welcomed Warfaze, a popular heavy metal band from Bangladesh, on Oct. 28 at WSU.

Every year, ABSS hosts a Bangladeshi Night. This year, Warfaze headlined the event. As the band celebrated 40 years together, ABSS saw an opportunity to bring them to Pullman during their U.S. tour.

ABSS President Mohammad Mezbah Ul Hoque said fans traveled nationwide to attend the concert.

Warfaze began its tour in early September at Purdue University, traveling across the East Coast, Midwest and finally to the West Coast. The concert in the Senior Ballroom at the Compton Union Building sold all 250 tickets, drawing fans from Montana, Portland, Seattle, Texas and Idaho.

“The concert in Pullman was the last stop on Warfaze’s American tour and their only stop in the Pacific Northwest,” Hoque said.

As ABSS planned Bangladeshi Night, they learned about Warfaze’s U.S. tour and reached out to invite them. The booking was confirmed by mid-September, giving ABSS only a month to plan. While some were skeptical, Hoque, treasurer Nishad Muhammed and Vice President Tazin Rahman were confident they could pull it off.

The CUB, the Center for Student Organizations and Leadership and ABSS collaborated to make the event possible.

“We were like, ‘We can do this,’” Hoque said.

ABSS funded the concert by partnering with Gesa Credit Union, the Center for Student Organizations and Leadership and alumni. Hoque and Muhammed said volunteers work year-round to promote ABSS events.

“We doubled our budget from last year to accommodate Warfaze,” Hoque said.

Hoque and Muhammed, both international doctorate students from Bangladesh, personally welcomed the band at the airport.

“They are wonderful people,” Hoque said.

Warfaze, one of Bangladesh and Southeast Asia’s most popular bands, also has a strong following in the U.S. ABSS reported that the band’s tour merchandise sold out within the first two stops.

Bringing Warfaze to WSU was a significant way to unite the Bangladeshi community and Pullman. Alongside the concert, ABSS hosted a cultural program for Bangladeshi Night featuring dance and other performances.

CUB Catering provided food for Bangladeshi Night, impressing Hoque and Muhammed with authentic Bangladeshi flavors.

“People don’t realize CUB Catering can deliver the spicy, authentic flavors we’re used to,” Hoque said.

ABSS fosters community among students while sharing Bangladeshi culture with Pullman and beyond. As a cultural association, they aim to expand by hosting guest speakers, academic programs and research initiatives.

“Our main goal is to build a community and showcase Bangladeshi culture to the broader WSU community, as well as to connect with alumni,” Muhammed said.