Synopses & Reviews
andlt;bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;documentary andlt;iandgt;Heavy Metal in Baghdad andlt;/iandgt;featuring the members of Iraqand#8217;s only heavy metal bandand#8212;Acrassicaudaand#8212;and their daily struggle to survive and rock on even as their country fell into a bloody insurgency.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Acrassicauda (Latin for a deadly black scorpion) is Iraqand#8217;s only heavy metal band. Inspired by groups like Metallica, Slayer, and Slipknot, the band began writing and playing metal in 2001, performing a handful of shows before the war started in 2003. With increased security precautions throughout Iraq, it became difficult to practice or even get through a show without serious problems. When they began receiving death threats from insurgent groups and religious fundamentalists accused them of Satan-worship, they became a band on the run. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;As recently seen in the feature film documentary of the same name, Iraq disintegrated around them while Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and stay alive, always refusing to let their heavy metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis, and it became a race-against-time humanitarian effort, irrevocably transforming everyoneand#8217;s lives in the process. Going beyond the documentary to explore all the playersand#8217; unique perspectives, andlt;iandgt;Heavy Metal in Baghdad andlt;/iandgt;features new information about one of the most dramatic and unique stories in modern music.
Review
"What an awesome story. This inspires me a lot." -- James Hetfield, Metallica
Synopsis
The electrifying book based on the acclaimed documentary, "Heavy Metal in Baghdad" features the members of Iraq's only heavy metal band and their daily struggle to survive and rock, even as their country falls into a bloody insurgency.
Synopsis
documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad featuring the members of Iraq's only heavy metal band--Acrassicauda--and their daily struggle to survive and rock on even as their country fell into a bloody insurgency.
Acrassicauda (Latin for a deadly black scorpion) is Iraq's only heavy metal band. Inspired by groups like Metallica, Slayer, and Slipknot, the band began writing and playing metal in 2001, performing a handful of shows before the war started in 2003. With increased security precautions throughout Iraq, it became difficult to practice or even get through a show without serious problems. When they began receiving death threats from insurgent groups and religious fundamentalists accused them of Satan-worship, they became a band on the run.
As recently seen in the feature film documentary of the same name, Iraq disintegrated around them while Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and stay alive, always refusing to let their heavy metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis, and it became a race-against-time humanitarian effort, irrevocably transforming everyone's lives in the process. Going beyond the documentary to explore all the players' unique perspectives, Heavy Metal in Baghdad features new information about one of the most dramatic and unique stories in modern music.
Synopsis
The inspirational story of Acrassicauda, an Iraqi heavy metal band, whose members' struggle to stay alive as their country fell into bloody insurgency echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis.
Born out of a basement rehearsal space in Baghdad and inspired by western bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Slipknot, Acrassicauda (Black Scorpion) played only three live shows in Iraq before the country began to disintegrate around them. Rebels and religious fundamentalists accused them of Satan worship. Eventually it became impossible to find any venue where they could safely perform. Still, they refused to let their dreams die.
In their internationally acclaimed, award-winning documentary, Suroosh Alvi and Eddy Moretti's raw, uncensored portrayal of daily life in war-torn Iraq struck a chord with music fans around the world. Featuring never-before-seen photographs, Heavy Metal in Baghdad is the untold story behind the film, picking up with the band where the documentary left off and revealing how its extraordinary story -- and the humanitarian efforts it inspired -- changed the lives of everyone who helped to tell it.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Vice Media, andlt;/bandgt;is founded by Eddy Moretti, who holds an Hon. B.A. in English and Cinema Studies from the University of Toronto. He is currently completing his Ph.D. at NYU. Since 2000, he has served as director of Vice Films, coauthoring original screenplays for Brad Pittand#8217;s Plan B. In 2007, Mr. Moretti co-founded the broadband video network VBS.TV (with Spike Jonze as creative director), where he serves as Executive Producer and a correspondent. He has directed television spots for the National Legacy Foundationand#8217;s Truth anti-smoking campaign, and he oversees content production for Virtue, the in-house marketing and creative-services agency at Vice. andlt;iandgt;Heavy Metal in Baghdad andlt;/iandgt;is Eddyand#8217;s feature film directorial debut. Eddy lives in New York City.