Acrassicauda 'Only The Dead See The End Of The War' album

On March 9th 2010, VICE Records will release their debut EP Only The Dead See The End Of The War, recorded in 2009 following their final relocation to the US. Produced by Alex Skolnick of Testament and mixed by engineer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Hatebreed, System of a Down), Acrassicauda's four song debut explodes with ferocious war metal.

For the past six years, VICE has documented the story of Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda in their struggle to stay alive and continue the band while enduring the disintegration of their own country throughout the war.

Also in stores now is the inspirational book, Heavy Metal in Baghdad: The Story of Acrassicauda (VICE/MTV Books). Expanding on the internationally acclaimed, award-winning VBS.TV/VICE Films documentary produced and directed by Suroosh Alvi and Eddy Moretti, VICE editors Andy Capper and Gabi Sifre extensively cover the history of Acrassicauda, beginning at their youth in Iraq and culminating in their eventual relocation to the US in 2008. Featuring never-before-seen photographs, set lists, posters, and flyers, the book tells the real story of life during wartime in Baghdad.

"Whether you love or hate metal, Acrassicauda's struggle to stay together-and alive-will rock you." – NEWSWEEK

"While in their heart and sound they walk beside Mastodon, Slayer, and the rest of us, in their spirit and soul they are much more akin to people like Malcolm X, Bobby Sands, and all people who stand up righteously in the face of tyrants." – SCOTT KELLY, NEUROSIS

"The guys in Acrassicauda value metal enough to face insurmountable odds just for the freedom of playing it." - ALEX SKOLNICK, TESTAMENT

Acrassicauda biography
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 moved to 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 proving extremely hard for them, but the band continued to soldier on. They were literally a band on the run. As of February of 2009 all members of Acrassicauda currently live in the New York City area.

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Acrassicauda - Only The Dead See The End Of The War

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