LINKS:

testamentlegions.com

desertrockfestival.com

click here for photo gallery from desert rock

I recently returned from a 5 show run with Testament.

We went to Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Dubai. And I would like to share some of what I saw and learned.

I’ve traveled through much of the world over the years. I’ve spent lots of time in Europe, made a few trips to Japan and South America, and traveled extensively through the US, but like most Americans, I had no firsthand knowledge of the Middle East. I had never been to an Arab or an Islamic country before.

And Dubai itself isn’t like anywhere else in the region. Playing Desert Rock is more like being in Las Vegas than Baghdad so I can’t proclaim to having seen any heavy shit. We were never in any kind of danger.

That’s not where I’m going with this. The experiences that affected me weren’t so much about where we were, they were about the places some of the people I met called home and the attitude that many Americans have toward them. I met metalheads from Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and more. And you know something? They were just like us.

I met a group of about 40 guys that came from Iran.
They were over on Eric’s side of stage [stage left] when we were playing. Afterwards, I walked over to the side to check out the crowd and these guys start yelling to me. So I walk up to the barrier and start shaking hands, signing autographs and taking cell phone photos with them. I hung out for a few and talked to them and I couldn’t help but trip on the opinion most Americans have of their country. Now this isn’t a political piece and I have no intention of debating policy here, I’m just calling it as I see it.

Most Americans have a negative perception of Iranians and here I was surrounded by about 40 of them. They were pretty much on top of the world at the time. I was blown away by how appreciative they were that Testament was playing in Dubai and they were equally appreciative of the fact that I took a few minutes to talk to them, sign a few things and lean over the barricade to take a few pics. They didn’t seem to have any ill-will about me being an American. They loved me. They told me Testament has a large following in Iran. Who would have thought?

But you know, it was so basic, in many ways they were just like us [just a little more humble than most Americans I know]. And that’s what I think a lot of people are starting to forget, People are pretty much the same everywhere. And most ‘common’ people don’t really care about politics and just want to live their lives. Sometimes military action is necessary but sometimes it’s not. The one thing to remember, to kind of put things in perspective, is that there are actual people not stereotypes that inhabit every nation in the world. And no matter how hard the media [and press] try to demonize people, we still have to remember that they are exactly that – people. Sure there are some bad ones but I’d be willing to bet that more are good. No matter what region or country you’re talking about.

I don’t think there is any better way to learn about people from other countries and cultures than to speak directly to them. You can watch all the TV you want and read all you want in the papers and online but that all pales in comparison with going there and talking to the people. And there’s a flip side to this too.

After returning, I received an email from someone I had met in Turkey. She said that she, like most people in Turkey, thought of Americans as arrogant and uncultured but meeting us had changed her opinion. I know this is small. But if there are a few people in Turkey that now think maybe all Americans aren’t so bad after all and there are a few people in California that think maybe all Iranians aren’t so bad after all and maybe if they tell two friends and they tell two friends and so on and so on, well, maybe just maybe, the world will be a little less screwed up.

Nations will always have conflicts of interest. While I doubt there will ever be another war in North America or Western Europe, unfortunately I think there will still be wars in other parts of the world for many years to come. And it seems like the lands containing the oil fields will often be the focus of attention. That’s reality. But we should always try to keep in mind that people are people and before we put ANY people in harm's way and cause ANY people to be dead – we should be sure of what we are doing and if there are alternatives to subjecting innocent civilians to the machines of war – let’s try whatever we reasonably can to avoid causing undue grief. I've never been to Iran, but I'll venture a guess that most of the common people already have plenty to contend with. Things that we take for granted, like being able to go to a metal show from time to time--I could see it in their eyes--they were so stoked to be at the concert. It's not rocket science to see that this wasn't an everyday event for them. And I can't help but wonder if attending something like this abroad might cause them some kind of grief back home. I don't know. But I certainly hope not.

At the moment Iran seems to be heading for a showdown with the west. I don't know what's going to happen but I hope people on all sides can keep their cool and work it out. And I hope none of the guys I met at Desert Rock end up dead over this. That would really suck. On that same note, I hope none of my fellow countrymen [or women] in the armed services end up dead over this either. I may disagree with many of the decisions of their bosses but I do have the utmost respect for the men and women of our Nations Armed Forces. I understand that they put themselves in harm’s way so I can sit here and talk shit. I understand and respect the sacrifices you all make. Believe me, I want to see you all make it back in one piece.

God Bless The World and thank you for your time.