METALLICA Frontman Meets Iraqi Heavy Metal Band ACRASSICAUDA

According to The New York Times, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield surprised ACRASSICAUDA — the band featured in the "Heavy Metal In Baghdad" documentary — this past Sunday night (February 1) backstage at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey by presenting them with by handing over one of his guitars, a black ESP, and signing it "Welcome to America."

"That's for keeping the faith," Hetfield said, adding as he disappeared with his entourage down a corridor, "Write some good riffs."

The United States government has granted ACRASSICAUDA refugee status, which allows them to apply for green cards in a year, and the International Rescue Committee has placed them in a modest one-bedroom apartment in Elizabeth, N.J., where there are as yet no METALLICA or SLAYER posters on the walls but a bundle of guitars are piled in one corner.

"This is more than we ever could have expected or dreamed of," said Firas Al-Lateef, 27, the bassist, who arrived four months ago.

Read more from The New York Times.