Acrassicauda



Acrassicauda is an Iraqi Thrash Metal band formed in 2001. It is often credited as being the first heavy metal group to emerge from Iraq. The band consists of three Arab members and one Assyrian (Tony Aziz Yaqoo). The band formed and played concerts under the regime of Saddam Hussein. It became well known outside of the local Iraqi metal scene after Vice magazine did a profile of the band. It received even greater coverage when it was profiled in a feature-length documentary about the band and its troubles in Iraq called Heavy Metal in Baghdad. The band's first album was released on March 9, 2010.

Because of it increased fame after the Iraqi regime change, the band started to receive death threats from Islamic militants who thought that the band was worshiping Satan. Due to this and the icreasing violence in Baghdad the members of the band fled first to Syria and then Turkey before being granted refugee status in the United States of America. Most of the band settled in New Jersey, but Tony Aziz decided to live with family in Michigan, before moving to Richmond, Virginia. They now reside in Brooklyn, New York.

Current:

 * Faisal Talal Mustafa - Lead Vocals, Rythm Guitar (2001 - Present)
 * James Al Ansari - Rythm Guitar (2011 - Present)
 * Tony Aziz Yaqoo - Lead Guitar (2001 - Present)
 * Firas Al-Lateef - Bass Guitar (2001 - Present)
 * Marwan Hussain Riyadh - Drums (2001 - Present)

Past Members:

 * Waleed Moudhafar - Lead Vocals (2001 - 2003)

Releases
CD: (EP's) CD: (Demo's) Video's:
 * Only the Dead See the End of the War - 2010
 * The Black Scorpions - 2004
 * The Damascus - 2006
 * Flowers in the Desert - 2009
 * Heavy Metal in Baghdad - 2007

Tours

 * First USA tour - 2011

Associated Acts

 * Metallica