Update

dear brothers ..fans ..and of course the hard core motherfuckers
we are sorry to tell you that we will not be able to live one of the greatest moments
of our lives (again) for the second time in one year we have been unable to attend one
of the most important film festivals in the world, the Berlin film festival, this is where they will show
our documentary film (heavy metal in baghdad). It was hard for me and the rest of the guys
to sit down back here and write this message for the blog and be unable to be there among the
rest of the world sharing the story of our lives, 8 years of struggle, ambitions, and standing for what
we believed its true. It was so close this time the guys from Berlin film festival tried their best
to help us out through the process with German embassy and the visa thing as well and the guys
from the Vice been busting their asses off as well trying to help to attend this festival but this
time the problem was with our passports serial issue or something like that and yes, it was one
of these days for us were we felt like (....) and (......). We almost nailed it this time but we lost it,
but after all we still got our music and the hope to make it someday and be able to fucking rock.
We still here in Istanbul, fighting our war to survive, luckily we were able to make three concerts here and
it was amazing (that what the ppl said) and we hope we will get to continue together in spite
of all what’s happening along in this journey.
Thanx for your support, it’s what keep pushing us further beyond every limits, AcrassicaudA salute you all.
PS: for any question or comments after the film screening we will be back home eating, practising or sleeping

hey man hope you like it sorry for delaying alot of wrong spealing say hi to every body
breack a'leg tonight
marwan

Comments

[Ralf Mischnick]

Hey guys - Firas, Tony, Marwan, Faisal and Waleed,

I wish you good luck and I hope you will goin you're way. I was very impressed about the movie I saw yesterday at the Berlinale. You are so nice motherfuckers and you deserve to growin your hair long...

metal rules!

Ralf

[Christine]

Hey dudes,
this is Christine from Berlin. By coincidence I saw the documentary about your lifes yesterday. I´m working on the “Berlinade” and I try to see as many movies as possible but there are so many that it is hard to decide what is interesting and what isn´t. Actually I am far from being a metal fan. That´s why it first didn´t come to my mind watching your movie. And I have to confess: yes I am one of those foreigners who are tired of all that Iraq theme... So it was that coincidence that brought me to your film and opened my mind again.
Here in Germany you can hear about the violence and attemts in the Iraq every day for so many month now that indeed it is tiring. You never know what´s right or wrong. You do not really understand what´s going on and what is who fighting for and it seems to be so far away… If you don´t have any relation to a theme it makes it hard to concentrate on and to not ignore it besides all the other news falling down on you every day. This is really bad but I think it´s a normal way of selection you have to make for not getting mad in this world.
But watching your movie, watching you guys, quite my age, living in conditions like that, frightening for me just as the one who is sitting save in the cinema, touched me and made me think a lot. What are all that violence and all that restrictions for? When will it stop? Will it ever stop? Is there anything we can do about it? ...
As far as I can think, I do not find any answer. For not feeling too helpless I at least wanted to let you know that there are people far away from your country noticing what´s going on and feeling with you. For me the only thing I can do is on the one hand talking about it and on this way fighting against the growing ignorance and on the other hand wishing you all the best. I wish you that you can hold to your music, gain power and make a success out of it. But most of all I wish you and us all that this nightmare in your country will come to an end as soon as possible!
Don´t let them steel your hope and hold on to your dreams!

Greetings from Berlin where you unfortunately were not allowed to come to …

Christine

[Adrian Lang]

Greetings to Istanbul!

't is a great, emotional movie. I hope the best for you and I will be the first to buy a ticket when you play a show in Germany!

Until then, I keep doing my work at wikipedia (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrassicauda, http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Metal_in_Baghdad) and spread the message.

Metal forever!
Adrian

[Col. Kurtz]

Hey Guys!

Your are legend! I love your movie and your sound because you are probably the toughest and most real Heavy Metal Band on earth.
For western kids like me Heavy Metal was just style (I am 30 now..), a message. Its symbol should shock our friends and parents, we tried to be different.
And now seeing you guys doing exactly the same thing in such a screwed country were any kind of unnormal behaviour (and even normal behaviour for f**ks sake!) can result in REAL death is just .... I don't have a word for that.
I totally respect you. I feel sorry for your fans who got killed or disappeared just because of loving your music.
You give me hope, guys! Keep it up! Music is the key, tell that your sick Islamic shitheaded brothers who dare to thread you because all they can think of is honour but having not a SHIT clue about dignity.
You rule!

[pete]

glad to hear from you guys again...three concerts into your new lives...eat hearty boys you got some good rockin to do tonite...may peace and love come to you all...rock on!

[Jo]

hi!

pitty you couldn´t be at the berlinale!! but i was there to watch the movie. a great movie!!! although big parts of the story are nothing else than so damn fucked up! i had the impression the crowd liked it(the movie!), even hardly anyone left smiling.

i really wished you could have been there - for you to watch the movie and for myself, maybe to ask some questions and hear about the actual situation.

man, the end of the movie was really hard stuff! seeing you guys watching the material for the movie so far and getting totally pissed off. and when the movie was over there was written, that some or all? of you had to sell the instruments to survive.

we planned to go to a party afterwards and after the movie i was close to cancel it as i much more felt like going home and mybe hit my head against some wall a few times.

you know what? sure we went to the party and i tried to have as much fun as i could - although they played haddaway (...) and i thought damn, you would have gone, too. there´s still plenty of time to hit my head against the walls...

most of all i think, well, i can´t say you´re lucky - far from that - but you´re still alive and with your music you are able to get some attention. but what about all the "small people" in irak, like a fuckin normal bricklayer or something. they have no fuckin chance.

i´m quite happy to read now, that you changed from below cero to istanbul and had 3 concerts, which means you must have some instruments again. that´s good news.

i hope you are all right and that your families are all right and that one day those bastards who are responsible for all that shit that happened to your contry and the people - well, i was about to say get what they deserve, but i really don´t give a shit about what happens to them - neather good nor bad. i just hope all those idiots will die out one day. unfortunately the dinosaurs made it alreay but i hope those fuckers will follow one day!

keep on, guys, you can be quite proud of what you achieved so far and i´m sure you are giving lots of hope to some people and by the way - your music rocks!!!

see ya!
Jo

[Bea]

Hey Guys,

My friend and I just got back from the premiere of "Heavy Metal in Baghdad" at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, USA. We were truly moved by what we saw - you are all brave, intelligent, talented, passionate, and determined young men, and it broke our hearts to see what you've gone through and are still enduring today. It is so beautiful and inspiring to see a group of people strive to pursue a dream, even in the midst of such hardship. You guys are really amazing. I know your albums will be in stores someday.

Please take care of yourselves, your families, and each other, and never stop believing in your dream. You all deserve wonderful things. It's good to know that you're in Istanbul where it's safer, but I'd like to know that you're all not only safe, but happy and free to make great music. Our prayers are with you. Never give up. You guys ROCK!

Best of luck,
-Bea

[Bea]

Hey Guys,

My friend and I just got back from the premiere of "Heavy Metal in Baghdad" at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, USA. We were truly moved by what we saw - you are all brave, intelligent, talented, passionate, and determined young men, and it broke our hearts to see what you've gone through and are still enduring today. It is so beautiful and inspiring to see a group of people strive to pursue a dream, even in the midst of such hardship. You guys are really amazing. I know your albums will be in stores someday.

Please take care of yourselves, your families, and each other, and never stop believing in your dream. You all deserve wonderful things. It's good to know that you're in Istanbul where it's safer, but I'd like to know that you're all not only safe, but happy and free to make great music. Our prayers are with you. Never give up. You guys ROCK!

Best of luck,
-Bea

[Alex]

Hey guys,

I just saw your movie at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece yesterday. It made such an impact on me I had to see if I could find out more online. You're fucking AMAZING! I'm relieved to hear you're still rockin out. You're truely inspirational. Stay safe and healthy. And for God's sake, keep the dream alive! The world needs your energy and music!

Holding you and your families in the light,
Peace,
Alex

[Cody Sharpe]

Dudes,

Hello! I just saw your film here in Lethbridge, Alberta. It blew me away. Your story is amazing and your heart and determination a true inspiration.

I do a heavy metal show on CKXU, the University of Lethbridge's campus station, and I'm going to be playing the tracks you've got posted to your MySpace on tomorrow's edition. Everyone needs to know about you guys and your struggle. I'll gladly do whatever I can to assist in this.

I look forward to your first EP. ;D

Hails and Horns!
- Cody

[Cody Sharpe]

Dudes,

Hello! I just saw your film here in Lethbridge, Alberta. It blew me away. Your story is amazing and your heart and determination a true inspiration.

I do a heavy metal show on CKXU, the University of Lethbridge's campus station, and I'm going to be playing the tracks you've got posted to your MySpace on tomorrow's edition. Everyone needs to know about you guys and your struggle. I'll gladly do whatever I can to assist in this.

I look forward to your first EP. ;D

Hails and Horns!
- Cody

[dmx]

Cant wait till the films shown in Australia guys.

Hey, maybe that film will get you guys a record contract and some tours. Wouldn't that be ace?

Perhaps when Iraq finally becomes normal and safe, you'll return heros. How fucking metal is that?

Rock on guys,
DMX

[Dabelaar]

Hey Dudes & hello from Switzerland!

I just saw a documentary about you and the movie on german tv and as die-hard metalhead for many years i really have to tell you: you guys fucking rock!!

I immediately started thinking for myself, that it must be possible for the huge worldwide metal community to help you fellows in any way.

I'd love to get in contact with you guys to learn more about your current situation - maybe there's something beyond donating (which i'll do of course) i can do for you!

don't hesitate to write me - even if it's only a short message - on my email dabelaar@bluewin.ch or on the email i entered for this comment.

all the best and keep defending the metal faith!

dabelaar aka rené

[Jay]

I just saw the film in New York and I was amazed. You are the embodiment of all things metal. I work for www.metalreviews.com

Email me jay @ metalreviews.com and let's talk.

P.S. I might be going to Istanbul later this year. If I go, I want to meet you all in person.

[catdawg007]

Awesome to hear someone is doing a full blown doco on The Black Scorpians.

We met the band in 2004 and featured you in Michael Franti's visit to your tiny, sweaty, choked out, diesel-fueled rehearsal room in Baghdad in our documentary "I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE" about our trip into the warzones of Iraq, Palestine and Israel.

One of the best parts of our film is the clip where you explain how you use 'telephone wire' to make guitar strings.

We often times wonder what has happened to the Iraqi's and USA soldiers in Baghdad that we met and hooked up. Our film has done well and continues to play at festivals and events (This Summer is Taiwan and Dubai IFF's.) We have news on occasion.

Glad to hear The Black Scorpians are alive and well! Stay in touch and how awesome would it be if The Black Scorpians supported some shows for Michael Franti & Spearhead!

Catherine/Guerrilla Management

[Koyot]

Best regards from Poland, guys. I'm very impressed 'bout your way. I hope that you finally will be able to make career in Europe. You deserve much more than you have, and I belive that all will be easier for you from now.

[Robert]

Hi,

i'm very disappointed about our german embassy. my friend from serbia had the same problems with visa when he want to visit me in germany. fuck bureaucracy here!

i wish you good luck and continuing hardiness!
Robert

[Christopher]

I just stumbled across the story of your band and I am extremely interested in writing a review and featuring you guys on my soon to be website Metal Tome, which will be launched within the month. It is a one stop gateway to all genre's of Heavy Metal featuring videos, forums, reviews, news, and so forth. I would be more than happy to advertise your band and ways to donate to your cause. Get back to me if you are interested and I can set you up with a login to the site (which is currently not visible to the outside world). I realize you guys are most likely extremely busy trying to make it right now, in life and as a band. Get back to me when possible. The offer stands eternally for Metal brethren.