Heavy Metal in Baghdad is a fascinating documentary based around the Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda, influenced by the war in Iraq and struggeling with lifethreatening situations.

A team of New York´s lifestyle Magazine "VICE" took the trip to Iraq in 2003, risking their own lives.


A trailer can be viewed at this location

ACRASSICAUDA BIO

Born out of a basement rehearsal space in Baghdad, Acrassicauda (Latin for “Black Scorpion”) is Iraq’s only heavy metal band. Tutored by music instructor and guitar virtuoso Saad “Yngwie” Say and inspired by western bands like Metallica, Slayer and Slipknot, they began writing and playing metal in 2001. They soon learned that their dream of performing live in Iraq was going to be no easy task.

Original members Firas (bass), Tony (lead guitar), Marwan (drums), Faisal (rhythm guitar) and Waleed (lead vocals) were only able to play 3 shows before the war started in 2003. Soon after, Waleed retired from the band and fled the country, leaving Faisal to fill the void of lead singer. Due to increased security precautions throughout Iraq, it became difficult to practice or even get through a show without serious problems. As the situation worsened in Baghdad they began receiving death threats from insurgent groups and religious fundamentalists accusing them of Satan-worship. Eventually, it proved impossible to find any venue that was safe to perform in.

Thanks to generous donations made on their behalf, the band now resides in Turkey after living a year as refugees in Damascus, Syria. In their seven years as a band they have managed to play only 6 concerts in Baghdad, 2 in Syria and one in Turkey. The war has all but destroyed their dream to live in peace, grow their hair long, bang their heads and play metal as loud as they want. Life in Turkey is proving extremely difficult for them. Acrassicauda is literally a band on the run.

26.06.2010 - Montabaur, Mach 1-Festival
27.06.2010 - A-Wien, Arena
28.06.2010 - A-Kufstein, Kulturfabrik
29.06.2010 - CH-Zizers, Event Stage
04.07.2010 - Essen, Devilside Festival
06.08.2010 - Weinheim, Cafe Central
14.08.2010 - Köln, Underground
19.08.2010 - Dinkelsbühl, Summer Breeze
20.08.2010 - Leer, Zollhaus
21.08.2010 - Leipzig, OFT
25.08.2010 - Göttingen, Musa
26.08.2010 - Alsfeld, Hessenhalle
27.08.2010 - Köln, Underground

22.05.2010 - A-Wels, Airfield
25.05.2010 - Hannover, Messe
13.06.2010 - Stuttgart, Canstätter Wasen
20.06.2010 - Dresden, Ostragehege
22.06.2010 - Berlin, Olympiastadion

13.11.2010 - Trier, Arena
14.11.2010 - Freiburg, Rothaus Arena
16.11.2010 - Mannheim, SAP-Arena
19.11.2010 - München, Olympiahalle
20.11.2010 - Nürnberg, Arena
22.11.2010 - Berlin, Max Schmeling Halle
23.11.2010 - Rostock, Stadthalle
24.11.2010 - Braunschweig, Volkswagenhalle
26.11.2010 - Oldenburg, Weser-Ems-Halle
27.11.2010 - Hamburg, Sporthalle
28.11.2010 - Essen, Grugahalle
30.11.2010 - Stuttgart, Schleyerhalle