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CLICK POSTER TO LINK TO THE OFFICIAL HEAVY METAL IN BAGHDAD MYSPACE!
Born out of a basement rehearsal space in Baghdad, Iraq, Acrassicauda (the scientific name for black scorpion) is the country’s only heavy metal band. Tutored by local guitar virtuoso Saad Say—the Yngwie Malmsteem of the Middle East—and inspired by Western bands like Metallica, Slayer and Slipknot, they began writing and playing their own music in 2001. They quickly learned though, that their simple goal of performing live was going to be no easy task.
Original members Firas (bass), Tony (lead guitar), Marwan (drums), Faisal (rhythm guitar) and Waleed (lead vocals) played three shows together before the beginning of the war in 2003. Shortly after the invasion, Waleed fled the country, leaving Faisal to fill the void of lead singer. Because of the security situation in Baghdad, setting up shows or even just practicing together became increasingly difficult. Aside from the basic danger of walking the streets in their hometown, the band received death threats from fundamentalists and insurgent groups who thought they were devil-worshippers or simply didn’t like them playing Western-style music. Eventually, it became completely impossible to find anywhere they could safely play.
Thanks to generous donations from fans and well-wishers from around the world, the band now resides in Turkey after a harrowing year spent living as refugees in Syria. In their seven years as a band they have managed to play only nine concerts—six in Iraq, two in Syria, and one Turkey. The war has all but destroyed their dream to live in peace, grow out their hair, and rock as loud as they want. Life in Turkey is already proving extremely hard for them, but the band continues to soldier on. They are literally a band on the run.
Thank you for your help and support, and your concern.
Heavy Metal in Baghdad is a feature-length documentary that follows the Iraqi metal band Acrassicauda from the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 to the present day. Playing heavy metal anywhere in the Muslim world is a difficult (if not completely impossible) endeavor, but in the days right after Saddam’s regime was toppled there was a brief moment in which real freedom seemed possible. That hope was dashed as their country fell into bloody chaos. From 2004-2007, as Iraq disintegrated around them, Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and alive, refusing to let their metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis.
hello guys! thanks for the add! the last day i saw a program about your group and the problems that you had in bagdad, this is so hard! but the music win the war! metal rules!!!
Thanks for adding me! You guys have an awesome sound and an inspring story behind you. I can only imagine how much better you would sound with greater production...
I truly admire everything you guys been through!!! Power to you. You proved that anything is possible with desire and the will to fight for what you believe in. Always keep going. We all hope to see you in the U.S. someday and we will cheer you on !m! Metal Forever!
I hope everything turns out well for you guys. Just remember, though, that you are way more fucking metal than any band here in the USA. You guys rock so hard. Thanks for sharing your story.
For me, this documentary was amazing (and should be seen by everyone) because it was the first time we saw a human face in the context of Iraq. Never, have I seen any reporter or other media get into the lives of regular Iraqi people so poignantly. All these guys want to do is be who they want to be and not get shit for it. I hope Canada accepts them as refugees so they can be together and play their music. Acrassicauda, you may not become arena rockstars but in Canada you'll always have your instruments and your music. I know you love Baghdad, but you'll love Canada, even though it's cold as fuck in the winter.
i don't know what everybody else thinks... but for me, you guys are heroes... the vanguard of a new metal world...
when you win the hearts of the people... and the countries forget that the heart of the people is important... then you'll see the countries are losing their importance to the people... but the voices of truth are always important to the people...
Thanks for the add guys. The movie was amazing. It's sad that you had to go through so much shit to make your music. People in the U.S. should watch that movie and realize how fucking good they have it. Hope all is well with you guys and keep in touch. Cheers MetalMoe
got the movie saturday it was really eye opening seein that shit that goes on over there u guys got my support hopefully one day u can come play america or somethin
