AKKAD

A brief history of AKKAD: 1995: Loki approaches Muk to collaborate on a new project that would try to resurrect Gangsta-Rap.Late '95- Early '96- Muk works tirelessly on music tracks to compliment Loki's lyrics.1996- Richie is confronted and requested to produce the first EP. Soon after, this project is named AKKAD, after Moustapha Akkad, the main force credited with keeping the Halloween movie franchise going. The recording is done in one night consisting mainly of gangsta-rap tunes, one go-for-broke heavy metal song, and a couple of experimental tracks, showing a glimpse of what's to come. AKKAD I becomes an underground hit. Filled with controversial lyrics, political commentary, and a general distaste for modern society, this EP is a true classic.1998- After 2 years of no activity, AKKAD get back in the studio to follow-up their first release. Anticipation is high from the fans. Muk puts together some more challenging, but accessible tracks. They are taken from old progressive rock bands to put a different spin on the Gangsta-Rap genre. Loki has a difficult time coming up with lyrics and vocal rhythms. The recording equipment even starts to fail. What could of been another creative masterpiece turns to disaster. AKKAD II is shelved indefinitely. Still, bootleg copies managed to get out to the public. The fans hear the potential more than actual good tracks. A similar formula to the first EP endures. Mainly gangsta-rap tracks with now a Death-Metal song, and some experimental ramblings. The one stand-out surprise is the love-ballad, "Vagina," an interesting dichotomy between blatant sexism and sweet, sincere romanticism.September 1999 - At a Haddonfield show, AKkad decides to regroup. Richie has songs ready to have lyrics added. It is agreed to unite. An idea of a man having his head ripped from its body with the killer holding the head on what is like corn cob holders is also presented for the cover. 10/30-11/6 1999- The Synth Sessions take place. AKKAD ditches the Gangsta-Rap for a more complete original sound. This "new" sound comprises of a lot of guitar synthesizer and MIDI sampling to accompany their new vision: No style of music is off limits. These sessions prove very fruitful and the fans are intrigued. Incorporating more straight ahead rock beats with guitar synthesizer mayhem gives AKKAD a very original sound that is best demonstrated on the title track, Season Of The Witch. Another standout is "Killer Train", a psychotic meditation on what could happen while riding the Amtrak. AKKAD once again goes very experimental with tracks, "Welcome to Eternity" and "Asylum." Filled with eerie, atmospheric synth, these tracks feature Muk's voice literally taking you on a journey to hell and back. Loki is at his best on "The Changing/Happy Halloween", an uncompromising look into the mind of a disturbed killer, and "Death (Is Sweet)", a macabre, moody ballad that features Loki's tendency to sound like Glenn Danzig. It works great here. 10 songs in raw demo form were recorded 10/30/99 with no rehearsal. Muk is brought in a week later for further sessions, including final versions of Killer Train and Season of The Witch. 2000- Final versions of some of these songs are realized and released. Included is a new version of "Everyday", the metal classic from the first EP. Fans and unfamiliars alike are impressed with this, AKKAD's first ever full length release. They find it fresh, original, exciting, dark, twisted, and funny. The band feels that this is the first release to fully realize their vision. The first EVER performance of AKKAD occurs in April of this year. "Death (Is Sweet)" , "Season Of The Witch", and a new track, "The Uplifter" are performed to a small crowd in a rehearsal space. Nobody knew what hit them.2002- Another 2 year hiatus goes by, and the boys are ready to warp people's minds again. They get together one night. The equipment fails, tensions run high, and this session becomes a train wreck. Nothing comes out of it. Muk had worked on a Gangsta-Rap track in LA to bring for Loki to work on, but Richie's studio wasn't ready yet, after recent construction. AKKAD breaks up again.2007 Akkad embarks on a new era with Big Daddy joining Loki to bring the world "Endless Night" a haunting peek in o the future od the allmighty AKKAD!