For some musicians, playing and performing depends on how far they are willing to work to pursue their passion and how eager they are to learn. But not for this band. The challenges that stood between Acrassicauda and their music is unimaginable. In 2001, when Marwan Hussein (drums), Faisal Talal (vox, guitar), Firas Allateef (bass), and Tony Aziz (former guitarist) formed Acrassicauda in Baghdad, Iraq, they faced barriers that young Western bands cannot even fathom. While the band played local concerts in Baghdad, it was a continuous struggle for them to avoid getting imprisoned by the dictatorial regime. Even after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the band continued to be harassed and falsely labeled as devil worshipers. They received countless death threats for playing “Westernized” music. Despite these threats and defamations, in 2005, in the midst of war, they performed a historically high security, live heavy metal concert at the Al-Fanar Hotel in Baghdad. But a few weeks later, a missile destroyed their practice space, alerting them to the war’s painful turn. They fled Iraq the same year to live as refugees in Syria. This gruelling adventure landed these young musicians the leading role in a documentary called Heavy Metal in Baghdad produced by VICE magazine. The documentary tells the story of Acrassicauda through their ups and downs and personal struggles. It follows them as they try to survive and play the music they want throughout a dangerous war, and it depicts their difficult journey to rebuild their lives in Syria. The documentary, which was officially, selected at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, transformed Acrassicauda overnight into a household name in the metal community. It even garnered the attention of members of Metallica who eventually invited the band to one of their shows shortly after their arrival in the United States. Eight years since Acrassicauda escaped Baghdad, the band has settled in New York, where they perform live and recorded their first EP produced by Testament guitarist, Alex Skolnick. The band toured the US from coast to coast, playing packed houses across the metal circuit. Based in New York, Acrassicauda added Muhammad Al Ansari (ex-guitar) and Marwan Grada (guitar) to their powerful lineup. The five have toured North America together as the permanent band for three years. Now Acrassicauda announces the launch of their new Kickstarter fundraising campaign for support to fund the independent production of their much-awaited LP. Fans all over the world can reach out to the band and be part of this new album. Supporters earn gifts ranging from mp3s, posters, shirts, DVDs, personalized rewards, band equipment and more.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 02:17:45 +0000
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