Information
Acrassicauda has a minion!
Promise the Telscion
Promise the Telscion
Acrassicauda
Legacy Name: Acrassicauda
The
Common Experiment #188Owner:
ChimeAge: 13 years, 7 months, 2 weeks
Born: September 17th, 2010
Adopted: 13 years, 7 months, 2 weeks ago
Adopted: September 17th, 2010
Statistics
- Level: 1
- Strength: 13
- Defense: 10
- Speed: 10
- Health: 10
- HP: 10/10
- Intelligence: 0
- Books Read: 0
- Food Eaten: 0
- Job: Unemployed
09/17/10
Yesterday (for it is 1:34am, 9/17/10, as I write this), I watched a documentary entitled "Heavy Metal in Baghdad," and it affected me more so than any movie or documentary I have ever seen, and probably ever will see. I can't explain the reaction I had to it - I don't even understand it myself.
The documentary is the story of the first, and only (at the time), Iraqi heavy metal band, Acrassicauda. Acrassicauda is the Latin name for the black scorpion, the most poisonous creature in the deserts of Iraq. The struggles this band has been through musically, physically, mentally, continually, is the most beautiful and the most tragic tale I have heard. I cried like a fucking baby.
About a week before I found this documentary, on 09/10/10, I happened upon Acrassicauda's EP Only the Dead See the End of the War by chance. I downloaded it, legally, listened to it, and never gave it a second thought. Then I happened upon this documentary while I'll was looking for a suitable topic to write about for my research paper for my Islam course. When I saw that the documentary featured Acrassicauda, I immediately bought it on iTunes. I have never been more glad to have purchased a documentary, or to have purchased Acrassicauda's one release, composed of only four songs.
As I was lying in bed later, trying to fall asleep, I just started crying. I was overwhelmed with hurt, with sadness, with hopelessness, with rage, with the need for justice, and so much more that I can't even put into words.
I made a promise to myself that I will do whatever I can to improve the living conditions of the people living in war zones: the civilians who didn't do a single thing, yet they are the ones who have to live with the consequences.
The black scorpion no longer just a scorpion to me. It symbolizes freedom, how absolutely fucking lucky I am to live where I do, how I will never take anything in my life for granted, how there is always someone out there who needs help, and how I promise myself that I will make a difference to those who need it.
One year later.
I've never been a patriotic person. It is genuinely hard for me to be proud that I live in a country where people are so against important policies like equal rights and immigration reform. Most days I don't even watch the local news, because I fear learning of some new disgraceful policy that is only being pushed out of hate. I need a constant reminder that I am lucky to live where I do. It is difficult for me to accept that, but it is true nonetheless. I am lucky. It hurts that so many people in my country are so angry at beautiful people they don't understand, simply because they choose not to try to. It is hard to see the good when I see so much bad. It is hard to understand why people fight the corrupt system to live in this country.
Since I have written my first reaction to this story, I have had the chance to learn more about Acrassicauda. The band members all have green cards and are living in the United States. They have finished their "Make It or Break It" tour that visited thirty-three cities nationwide, and played small festivals and few concerts before that. I, and a couple of friends, drove three hours to see the show on May 24, 2011 in Austin, Texas. It was an incredible experience. I got the meet the members, albeit briefly, and conveyed my appreciation and respect to them in what was likely an embarrassingly awkward way. I did, however, walk away with an autographed book that tells the story of Acrassicauda.
And I couldn't be happier with the real ending.
Yesterday (for it is 1:34am, 9/17/10, as I write this), I watched a documentary entitled "Heavy Metal in Baghdad," and it affected me more so than any movie or documentary I have ever seen, and probably ever will see. I can't explain the reaction I had to it - I don't even understand it myself.
The documentary is the story of the first, and only (at the time), Iraqi heavy metal band, Acrassicauda. Acrassicauda is the Latin name for the black scorpion, the most poisonous creature in the deserts of Iraq. The struggles this band has been through musically, physically, mentally, continually, is the most beautiful and the most tragic tale I have heard. I cried like a fucking baby.
About a week before I found this documentary, on 09/10/10, I happened upon Acrassicauda's EP Only the Dead See the End of the War by chance. I downloaded it, legally, listened to it, and never gave it a second thought. Then I happened upon this documentary while I'll was looking for a suitable topic to write about for my research paper for my Islam course. When I saw that the documentary featured Acrassicauda, I immediately bought it on iTunes. I have never been more glad to have purchased a documentary, or to have purchased Acrassicauda's one release, composed of only four songs.
As I was lying in bed later, trying to fall asleep, I just started crying. I was overwhelmed with hurt, with sadness, with hopelessness, with rage, with the need for justice, and so much more that I can't even put into words.
I made a promise to myself that I will do whatever I can to improve the living conditions of the people living in war zones: the civilians who didn't do a single thing, yet they are the ones who have to live with the consequences.
The black scorpion no longer just a scorpion to me. It symbolizes freedom, how absolutely fucking lucky I am to live where I do, how I will never take anything in my life for granted, how there is always someone out there who needs help, and how I promise myself that I will make a difference to those who need it.
One year later.
I've never been a patriotic person. It is genuinely hard for me to be proud that I live in a country where people are so against important policies like equal rights and immigration reform. Most days I don't even watch the local news, because I fear learning of some new disgraceful policy that is only being pushed out of hate. I need a constant reminder that I am lucky to live where I do. It is difficult for me to accept that, but it is true nonetheless. I am lucky. It hurts that so many people in my country are so angry at beautiful people they don't understand, simply because they choose not to try to. It is hard to see the good when I see so much bad. It is hard to understand why people fight the corrupt system to live in this country.
Since I have written my first reaction to this story, I have had the chance to learn more about Acrassicauda. The band members all have green cards and are living in the United States. They have finished their "Make It or Break It" tour that visited thirty-three cities nationwide, and played small festivals and few concerts before that. I, and a couple of friends, drove three hours to see the show on May 24, 2011 in Austin, Texas. It was an incredible experience. I got the meet the members, albeit briefly, and conveyed my appreciation and respect to them in what was likely an embarrassingly awkward way. I did, however, walk away with an autographed book that tells the story of Acrassicauda.
And I couldn't be happier with the real ending.
Pet Treasure
Amplifier
Stylin Vicious Guitar
Black Electric Bass
Green Drum Kit
Black Drumsticks
Boy Band Microphone
Dead Beats: From the Grave
Full Scorpio Hair Piece
Entombed Scorpion Beanbag
Desert Sand
Camouflage Bombs