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Arockalypse brings heavy metal to Victory

Photo By Capt. Daniel Yarnall | Spc. Hector Munoz from Lancaster, Pa. plays guitar for the 3rd Infantry Division's...... read more read more

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.23.2010

Courtesy Story

103rd Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD – The Camp Victory stage shook like an earthquake June 23 as The Four Horsemen of the Arockalypse, a four-piece heavy metal band from the 3rd Infantry Division Army Band performed heavy metal music covers from bands like Rage Against the Machine and Killswitch Engage.

The show at Camp Victory kicked off the horsemen’s tour of Iraq. The band from Fort Stewart, Ga., is deployed to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, but plans to visit every U.S. installation in country.

Every Army band is required to have small groups that are ready and willing to perform upon request, such as a brass quintet or a classic rock group. However, at times an Army band will have a unique group, according to Capt. David Paroby, United States Forces-Iraq band programs officer.

“Depending on their personalities and the musicianship of the Soldiers assigned to those groups, you get different ensembles. For example, the 3rd ID Band has the heavy metal band,” said Paroby.

Paroby said that most Army bands, whether performing with the entire ensemble or as a small group, rarely have the the opportunity to travel outside their own division.

He said they have three missions when it comes to musical support: ceremonial, partnership and troop morale.

“I thought to expand troop moral, I would get them out of their division a little bit,” Paroby said.

The group said they formed just six months before deployment with the idea that they would play some local shows at their home station on their own time.

“We thought to ourselves, why don’t we just do this while we’re deployed for the people who really need it,” said Spc. Alan Bradley from Gulf Breeze, Fla., the groups vocalist.

They presented the idea to Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Ward, commander of the 3rd ID Army Band, and he liked it.

“Being able to play in this metal band means a lot to me, but also to those we play for,” said guitarist Spc. Hector Munoz from Lancaster, Pa. “We provide a great deal of relief to people that don’t normally get to listen to this type of music.”

Members of the crowd agreed and some are eager for another show.

“These guys were great. They sound just as good as any metal band I’ve ever heard,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Allen Stewat, USF-I communications security custodian. “I would love to see them come out here again.”