_Heavy Metal in Baghdad_: The _Heeb_ Review

By Jed Oelbaum

Acrassicauda – the only metal band in Iraq – may not be very good, but what they lack in talent, they more than make up for in balls. You see, being a headbanger in Baghdad ain’t easy, what with all the blowing up and the killing, and these guys have continuously and courageously fought to exercise all of the rights (wearing Slipknot t-shirts, rockin out, etc…) that we, as Americans, take for granted.

Awesome dedication of the subjects aside, the best moments in Heavy Metal in Baghdad (Arts Alliance America/ VBS.TV/ Vice Films) have nothing to do with metal, or even the band, but with candid imagery and unsettling words. Like when we’re convincingly told by one member of the band that sectarian violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims does not exist: He and his wife are from opposite sides of the aisle, and that the whole thing is a media creation. Could this possibly be true? Who knows, but a real Iraqi in a Metallica shirt says that it is.

Entertaining as it is at times, the film suffers from boring narration and uncertainty of purpose. The guys in Acrassicauda seem amazed that a bunch of crazy Americans bothered to come all the way to Baghdad, just to ask them about their band, and the filmmakers wander around, amazed to be in such a fucked-up place. The last bit of the film is shot in Syria, and if you check the movie’s website, finds the band having since fled to Turkey to escape being sent back to Iraq. Visa problems are ongoing, so if there are any metal fans out there with some pull at the state department…

Heavy Metal in Baghdad hits theaters in Los Angeles and New York for one week only starting May 23. The DVD is available starting June 10.

What do you think?

About The Author

Josh became an editor-at-large after accruing exorbitant legal fees as the publisher of Heeb in his efforts to trademark the word "irreverent." Follow him on Twitter @joshuaneuman.

22 Responses

  1. mrnhghts

    Like when we’re convincingly told by one member of the band that sectarian violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims does not exist: He and his wife are from opposite sides of the aisle, and that the whole thing is a media creation. Could this possib

    Reply
  2. iconic

    actually working out so perfectly in Iraq ,
    they are making plans now for Iran .

    Reply
  3. Hesed

    We keep parking our Battlegroups on their coastline, several shots have already been fired. Our patience must be wearing pretty thin, if there isn’t an outright attack soon my bet is that there will be another Gulf of Tonkin-esque transgression for our po

    Reply
  4. iconic

    Since it seems so important to you Hesed, look again.
    He is NOW wearing a lapel pin.
    Now has Super Powers….

    Reply
  5. Hesed

    That’s a relief. Because I knew when I got into the voting booth that it wouldn’t be problem reminding myself that he is also half-white, it was just the dilemma of him not wearing that lapel pin which would give me pause. OK, I guess I’m fresh out of exc

    Reply
  6. iconic

    agree that many people will be afraid to vote for a “secret Muslim.” these people see nothing scary about McCain’s talk of 100 years in Iraq.
    ( I think we may be on the same side here.) ……… mostly

    Reply
  7. Hesed

    I’m being absurd. Rome is burning and the racist assholes in this country are concerned about Obama’s lapel.

    Reply
  8. iconic

    I understood that you were “being absurd,” because I have read many of your posts.. and you don’t sound like a racist moron.
    Sadly, the Swiftboat guys will be back and will target their messages to these assholes.

    Reply
  9. Puck

    Obama’s pastor alone has provided enough ammunition for 100 anti-Obama ads.
    Here goes another 4 years of The Republicans…bah.
    *sigh*
    Ah well, Hillary 2012!!

    Reply
  10. Hesed

    That shit has been going on for 4-5 weeks now, he has already weathered that storm and come out the other side relatively unscathed. I’m not worried about that at all.

    Reply
  11. Puck

    Yes, but then liberals aren’t really who the Republicans will be targetting with their attack ads, Obama has about as much chance of becoming President as my nan does :P
    You can rest assured that the Pastor’s comments will be played, ad nauseum, during th

    Reply
  12. iconic

    agree they won’t vote for a “black guy.”
    but they will say that what they are voting against, is a dangerous Muslim.

    Reply
  13. Hesed

    LOL, Obama’s baggage is a fucking carry-on compared to what Hillary brings with her. Conservatives have been gearing up for a Hillary ticket for years. They want Hillary to run because Hillary is the one they know they can beat…and they’re probably righ

    Reply
  14. Puck

    According to the Dems polling, Hillary could ‘easily’ beat McCain whereas Obama would be “a bit tight”,
    I want the Dems to win, but they wont…fucktards that they are :P
    Obama can get Democrat votes, but he can’t get enough uncommitted or ‘swing’ voters

    Reply
  15. iconic

    all that talk about Change …… nah, it will be 4 years of “Mc Bush .”

    Reply
  16. Puck

    Hmmph, a cynic is just an optimist with all the facts ;)
    I’ll be happy to be proved wrong…but I doubt it.

    Reply
  17. iconic

    cynical though we may be…..
    I’m having to agree with Puck here.

    It.s not just the “Muslim” “Black guy ” thing with voters-
    McCain also has Rove (aka Turd Blossom) working for him.

    Reply
  18. Puck

    Mmmhmm…those “bitter Americans” comments will make fantastic attack ads :P
    We have an Obama style leader (without the substance and honesty) here in Australia now…he was smart enough to keep his (justifiable) contempt for the electorate in check.
    Hist

    Reply
  19. iconic

    yeah I’m cynical.
    The Rovian way is to turn negatives into positives. McCain ,establishment / old , said this weekend that he needs to “educate” Obama.

    Reply

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