RSVP ..
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.
hey guys. i watched your movie (which is how I discovered you). Hope things are brighter for you all today. What are you all up to today? Still living in Syria?
Thanks for adding me. Your story is amazing. You guys kick ass. Please add more songs on your myspace and keep rocking. Never give up. Spreading the metal word to everyone to come and listen to you guys.
Hey guys... I heard about you in my history class at school. Crazyy right. Yup we read an article about you guys and everything. Needeless to say your music awesome..
All I can say is WOW to Heavy Metal in Baghdad...You guys go through so much and you just keep going, it's fucking insane. LOVEDDDDDD YOUR PITS THOUGH!
What's up Faisal, Marwan, Tony and Firas! I watched Heavy Metal in Baghdad, and I want to tell you that I have never been so inspired. You are true METAL WARRIORS, and the entire Heavy Metal world loves you.
Since the movie, I've been dying to hear ~any~ of your music -- I LOOOVE the track on your myspace, it's fucking KICK ASS!!!
Online Now!
