ACRASSICAUDA, LIVIN’ THE DREAM
Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 1:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
At Relapse Records’ CMJ showcase last month, I had the privilege of briefly meeting Tony from Acrassicuada, a.k.a. “that band from Heavy Metal in Baghdad.” I introduced myself and told him I run a site called MetalSucks; to my incredible shock and joy, he knew what MetalSucks is. See, we’d sent the band a care package way back in 2007, which included some MetalSucks stickers; he told me that he’d kept one of those stickers on his guitar for some time. And while it’s entirely possible that he was just blowing smoke up I ass, I don’t think he was – I didn’t prompt him about the care package or anything, he just brought it up. So that was pretty awesome.
ANYWAY, after an incredible amount of struggle, the likes of which I can’t even imagine trying to overcome, Acrassicauda are here in the U.S. and, according to their MySpace page, are getting ready to release an EP:
Obstacles seem to find their way into everyone’s lives. Some people falter the moment they come across them, others push through and overcome anything that stands in their way. Over the course of six years, we’ve been able to connect with a band that has faced difficulties that most bands could never fathom. While other bands dealt with creative differences and arguments, Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda faced death threats, bombings, and had to worry about the safety of their families and relatives. Now residing in the states, the band is proud to announce their first release, Only The Dead See The End Of The War, which will be available March 9, 2010. The four-song debut EP explodes with intensified war metal that could only be fueled by the frustration of a band struggling to continue their passion for over a decade of rejection. Recorded at Spin Studios in Long Island City, NY under the watchful eye of Nik Chinboukas, Alex Skolnick of Testament joined the band in the production process while Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Hatebreed, System Of A Down) mixed the EP. Everyone here at Vice is proud to see how far this band has come and can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear their monumental release. For now you can hear the first song, “Garden of Stones.”
You pretty much have to be happy for these dudes, right? They worked so hard and look at them now, living the dream. Awesome.
“Garden of Stones,” is a really good song, too – so at least you’re not rooting for some no-talent ass clowns who happened to have found themselves in a politically-motivated spotlight. You can download the track here.
-AR
Thanks to Cody Barrick for the tip!
these guys kick ass! they are like Anvil only from a warzone. keep up the good work. great story but also great music.
I hope they get a chance to do some touring, but immigration laws may fuck them hard in that manner.
If any of you havent seen the dvd, I definitely recommend it. Good for them, I hope they do well.
I’m stoked for them, they may not be the greatest band in the world but I’m stoked that at least they got to grow their hair out like they wanted to.
good for them, been rooting for them since i had seen the film.
they must’ve been stoked to work with Skolnick, I would be. great to see their dedication and work finally paying off, awesome story.
Always happy to hear from them. And it sounds like they’ve come a long way from what they were playing in the movie. I used to think “great story, lackluster band,” but I’m genuinely looking forward to picking this up.
suddenly i feel very pathetic compared to those guys
and i know im not the only one
i mean goddamn, the things they have been through, shit that most of us couldnt even imagine
i aint got shit on them
probably never will
It’s good to see these guys heading for better days. The end of that movie was really depressing.
awesome to see these guys going somewhere! That song’s pretty sweet too, the middle eastern influences are very cool!
this movie was so eye opening- im happy to see that these poor dudes are gonna go somewhere, and that they made it out of everything alive
loved the movie. just finished listening to the single. sounds awesome.
Great stuff! Just listened to GoS a couple times, not bad at all! Though March 9 seems way too far off to hear the rest! Hoping all the best for these guys!
good for them and wow these dudes have been practicing man! great movie and i wish these guys the best
I will definitely support these guys anyway i can… Hopefully they do ok. Their story is amazing
I was a fan from the time I saw the movie. These guys are probably more metal than most metal bands out there simply due to all the shit they have to go through.
I must admit, I had kind of written these guys off before even listening to them and I now regret that. Garden of Stones is a great track, with a unique style. I’ll get their album.
The song kicks ass! They have certainly honed their craft, no doubt due to being able to practice more regularly. Even though I’ve liked Anvil since I was five, and I found that documentary to be really inspiring, it could’t hold a fucking candle to Heavy Metal in Baghdad. I mean, seriously…these guys had motherfuckers trying to kill them and their families on a pretty regular basis! The fact that they not only stayed together but stayed alive long enough to see this day is really something incredible. And very very fucking metal in every way.
I’ve been wondering lately whatever happened to these guys. I’m really looking forward to this release when it comes out, I bought into em hook, line, and sinker when I saw that movie. Glad to hear things are starting to happen for them.
Out-fucking-standing. The new track is impressive. I can’t wait to hear what they sound like in 5 years. I’m very impressed with Marwan’s drumming compared to what it was in the film. Actually, everybody has improved immensely. FUck yeah boys.