Heavy Metal in Baghdad

(see you've got me going. My last words for today.)

I watched a documentary on bbc last night about 4 Iraqi musicians trying to carve a career for themselves with their heavy metal band ACRASSICAUDA (it means black scorpion in latin). It has been (and still is) an up-hill struggle for them since they started in 2001. They had the war in Iraq to worry about, civil strife, the danger of roadside bombs, cultural police who find their music controversial, keeping themselves and their love ones alive and well, etc. A poignant example of the obstacles they had to put up with is when their rehearsal space was destroyed by a missile during an air raid. Through out this battle, they have managed to find ways to bring their music to their fans and new listeners, providing people with a temporary haven from all the chaos that was going around them. They are still trying to live their dream. A documentary was done about them and it has won a number of awards at international film festivals. This gave them a bit of publicity and they have since left Baghdad. 2 of the band members are in New Jersey, USA, and 2 others are in Turkey (I think). Their story is still unfolding and I hope the band will be reunited soon. See their website:

http://www.heavymetalinbaghdad.com/uk/