Pure, Live GWARNAGE!
When a band like Gwar gain success, a Grammy and a 10 year career for being, basically, a piss-take you have to ask how on earth they become this popular. They're good, dirty fun and they make enjoyable music to top it off.
Finally, Gwar have released an official live album supposedly from Mt. Fuji although it wasn't actually recorded anywhere near there- all we know is that they recorded it in Japan somewhere. Opening with track 'The Salaminizer' in which lead singer, Oderus Urungus introduces it by crying "This isn't a f**king rock 'n roll show…this is a war!" before the first almighty riff kicks in. And a sweet riff it is too! Although, one thing you immediately realise about this album is the somewhat sloppy production. The drums sound pretty thin and you can barely hear Oderus' vocals. But there is one thing you must remember, this is Gwar, their fans don't care about production, they just want to hear their favourite band on a live recording for once! This album treats us to many Gwar classics such as 'Immortal Corruptor', 'Sick of You', 'Have You Seen Me?' and more.
This album is worth buying purely for the amusing in-between song banter from Oderus Urungus who mentions everything from being Osama's gay lover to a beast that lurks under the pentagon that combines the worst aspects of Japanese giant robots and President Reagan. It's…different to say the least and it is all in good fun but if you are easily offended, stay well away from Gwar. The performance from the actual band is not too bad, like all bands, they screw up occasionally, but unless you're a complete nonce who sits at home examining each note of each song, then you won't realise.
The definite highlight of this album has to be 'Have You Seen Me?' where the band brings out some woman from an American TV channel that seemed to have been drowned by her lover; at least that's what I picked up. "We brought out this next whore, because she's a fat slut, with cottage cheese for a vagina, frankly, it's the most tasteless thing we could think of". But it's not the somewhat disturbing banter that makes this song such a standout, what makes it standout is that it's the most diverse song on the album, a great performance of a great song.
Despite the sloppy production, this is a fun, enjoyable live album. Although when you hear that Gwar's live shows include gallons of blood, sperm and gunk that is sprayed all over the audience, the fact that they dress up as aliens from another planet and the fact every few songs they bring out a model of a celebrity and destroy it might make you think that a DVD may have been a better choice...