Acrassicauda is an Iraqi thrash metal band formed in 2001 in Baghdad and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. It is widely recognized as the first heavy metal group to emerge from Iraq.
Overview
The band's name is derived from the Latin name of a species of black scorpion common in Iraq, Androctonus crassicauda (the Arabian fat-tailed scorpion). The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Waleed Moudhafar, guitarist Tony Aziz Yaqoo, bassist Firas Al-Lateef, drummer Marwan Hussein Riyadh, and vocalist-guitarist Faisal Talal Mustafa. Moudhafar left in 2003, after which Talal assumed lead vocal duties.
History
Iraq (2001–2006)
The band formed after members met at a Baghdad school where they were studying fine arts. Under Saddam Hussein's regime, they were permitted to perform but faced censorship restrictions, including being required to write a song praising the president and a ban on headbanging. After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the band gained international attention through a 2004 profile in Vice magazine. In 2006, the building where they practiced was bombed, destroying all their equipment. Due to death threats from Islamic militants and escalating violence, the members fled individually to Syria.
Syria and Turkey (2006–2009)
In Syria, the band performed under restrictive conditions, including being prohibited from advertising concerts as "heavy metal." When Syrian immigration policies changed, the band relocated to Turkey to apply for refugee status. Vice magazine raised approximately $40,000 to support the band during this period.
United States (2009–present)
The U.S. government granted the band refugee status. Members arrived in early 2009 and were placed in New Jersey by the International Rescue Committee. Shortly after arriving, they attended a Metallica concert in Newark, where James Hetfield presented them with a signed guitar. The band's first official release, the EP Only the Dead See the End of the War, was released on Vice Records in 2010, produced by Alex Skolnick of Testament. Their debut studio album, Gilgamesh, was released in 2015, funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $37,000.
Documentary
The band's story is the subject of the feature-length documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad (2007), directed by Canadians Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi. The film premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2008. The New York Times praised it as "an intrepid, unlikely and altogether splendid feat of D.I.Y. reportage."
Musical Style and Influences
The band's music is described as thrash metal with elements of heavy metal and groove metal. Their influences include Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Rage Against the Machine, and Slipknot. Their lyrics deal with themes of war and suffering but are intended to be apolitical.
Current Members
- Marwan Hussein (born c. 1984) – drums, lyricist (2001–present)
- Faisal Talal Mustafa (born c. 1983) – lead vocals (2001–present)
- Firas Al-Lateef (born c. 1981) – bass (2001–present)
- Muhammed "Moe" Al Ansari – guitar (2011–present)
Discography
Studio Albums:
- Gilgamesh (2015)
EPs:
- Only the Dead See the End of the War (2010)
Singles:
- "Flowers in the Desert" (2009)
- "Garden of Stones" (2009)
Demos:
- Black Scorpion Demo (2004)
- Damascus Demo (2006)
- KEXP Demo (2011)
