Kaoteon and Death Tribe guitarist Anthony Assaker reflects on Beirut explosion one year on with new single featuring Jo Quail
‘Some Things Never Change (Words of a War Child)’ video streaming now
Death Tribe album / movie Beyond The Red Light District: A Canal Experiment out now
Anthony Assaker, guitarist and songwriter of Lebanese breakthrough metal bands Kaoteon and Death Tribe, has released a solo acoustic song ‘Some Things Never Change (Words of a War Child)’, reflecting on the devastating Beirut explosion one year on.
Featuring Jo Quail on cello, watch the lyric video here:
Anthony commented “Today marks one year since the massive non-nuclear explosion in Lebanon that took the lives of 218 people, injured 7,000 and left 300,000 homeless. My house in Beirut was damaged beyond repair, the streets I played in as a child changed forever beyond recognition. This event rendered the Lebanese hopeless as the situation seems helpless. This is what Lebanon has been ever since I saw the light.
“We always try to comfort ourselves and look at the positive side of things. My parents are “at least” alive, our houses were destroyed but “at least” we are all still here, we lost all our hard earned life savings but we “still” have our body parts.
“This is the result of a corrupt regime that has paralyzed a nation and knocked out its rebellious spirit into a coma of numbness – One year later and there is still no one to blame and no hope of a better tomorrow. On the contrary, the situation worsens each day, the Lebanese are fighting for basic supplies: from simple medicine to gasoline. This is heart-breaking. What hurts even more is knowing that many other nations that suffered and made news headlines are still suffering in silence and the world goes on.
“This is an exemplary life of a war child who did not chose the land nor the race nor the religion they were born into. George Carlin once said: “Pride should be reserved for something you achieve or obtain on your own, not something that happens by accident of birth. Being Irish isn’t a skill… it’s a … genetic accident. You wouldn’t say I’m proud to be 5’11”; I’m proud to have a pre-disposition for colon cancer.”
“This works the other way around too, some people are cursed for a lifetime of troubles and hardship because they hold the scars of the nation they were born into. The difference between you and them is just destiny.
“Thank you to all those who helped and continue to help make the world a better place for future generations. We are all one nation sharing one planet floating in the vast dark space – together we are stronger.”
This follows his politically-charged solo acoustic song, ‘Who’s To Blame’. Highlighting issues such as discrimination, racism and social injustice in the world, an unlisted version of the song went viral within the Middle-Eastern community during the US election, racking up over 70k plays whilst still unlisted. The video was filmed in Amsterdam, where Anthony now resides. Now officially released, watch ‘Who’s To Blame’ here:
Anthony Assaker has had a busy year so far, not only with his solo work, but he also released his critically acclaimed Death Tribe album, Beyond The Red Light District: A Canal Experiment, and completed work on a new Kaoteon record. More news soon.
Purchase Beyond The Red Light District: A Canal Experiment here: https://bfan.link/beyond-the-red-light-district-a-canal-experiment
Anthony Assaker online:
https://anthonyassaker.bandcamp.com
