A message from Rodrigo Y Gabriela

22nd August 2007

This summer while we were in Japan I got an e mail from my friend Alex Skolnick (testament / alex skolick trio) urging me and Gab to look up for a documentary called HEAVY METAL IN BAGHDAD, it took me a few weeks to get it since we were in the middle of our summer tour playing
all over the place but finally watched it and that's the reason I'm writing this.....

Away from political view stands I speak here as a sentient being and as a musician too. This documentary is about the pain, the
difficulties, the courage and the love for music from an Iraqi band called Acrassicauda who despite their life situation are determined to find their freedom based on their passion for music.

It turns out that the music that moves them is HEAVY METAL which in reality in the end it doesn't matter that much, what matters here is the realization of how lucky are those who don't have to put up with this kind of life , (if we can call this a life), and the reminder of being thankful of what we have and better yet, to remember that this shit happens everyday not only in Iraq but in many other places around the world and that we can do something about it!

By remaining aware, we remain awake. As fellow musicians we extend our support to this brave people. If you watch this documentary and you still feel that nothing can be done, I assure you that they have
already done something for you. I hope to get together along with other musicians to help these guys somehow. Thoughts and actions of taking them to a place where they can finally expand, grow and develop
their potential as musicians are happening. They made it out of Iraq but this is just the beginning of the story...........
For more info visit: www.heavymetalinbaghdad.com

Rod Y Gab