Shocking! Positively shocking
Do You want a quick history of Gwar? Formed in 1985, Gwar are a thrash metal, hardcore punk and shock rock band. The band are best known for their elaborate sci-fi/horror film inspired costumes; raunchy, obscene, politically incorrect lyrics; and graphic stage performances, which consist of humorous re-enactments of scatology, sadomasochism, necrophilia, paedophilia, bestiality, fire dancing, pagan rituals, executions, and other controversial violent and political themes. Their costumes are even more elaborate than Finland's Euro kings Lordi, but Gwar's are slightly more comical, especially Balsac the Jaws of Death, whose huge shark style head dress can surely only hinder his ability to play guitar.
The band broke into the metal conscious with 1990's 'Scumdogs of the Universe', and a hilarious appearance on ITV's Raw Power show (or Noisy Mothers, whatever it was called at the time) was my first brush with the band. I have to say I wasn't impressed (except when one band member pulled Oderus's brain out of his head). It was obvious the band were show over actual musical content, yet the band has regularly released new material. Eight albums and two live recordings since 'Scumdogs...' we arrive at 'Beyond Hell', and I think the band have learned a few things over the years, one of them being, 'how do write a decent tune'.
After listening with a curious ear to Gwar vocalist Oderus Urungus's guest appearance on Strapping Young Lad's album 'The New Black', it wasn't a great surprise to see Devin Townsend claim the production credit on this album. Perhaps it's his genius influence that have made this collection of crazed tunes extremely listenable, but then again maybe all the credit should go to Gwar themselves, but I can't help think that Devin has had a lot to do with the shaping of 'Beyond Hell'.
I won't beat around the keyboard; the first half of this CD is pure quality. 'War is all we know' and 'Murderers Muse' are great chaotic heavy metal, with enough strain on the leash to make them enjoyable without them becoming just plain silly. 'Go to Hell' is a mammoth track and perhaps the pick of the bunch. This is illustrated when the layered backing vocals arrive to add depth to the overall sound. 'Tormentor' is just too damn catchy and 'Eighth Lock' is perhaps a Megadeth song re-written.
The production is superb. It's crisp and crystal clear with a guitar sound so sharp that it could chip Christmas trees into a thousand pieces. Devin's trademark backing vocals appear on 'Tormentor' and 'Back in Crack,' and even with the chaotic music going on all around them, they never seem out of place because all the way through this album is a strange sense of warped melody and twisted hooks.
It doesn't last forever however. The second half of this long player is considerable weaker than the first half. 'The one that will not be named' and 'The Ultimate Bohab' just lack a couple of good ideas, and seem to be riding on the tailcoats of the songs gone before them. You either love the lyrics or you hate them. There aren't many bands that can sing, "I hate you! Weeeeeee Everyone's sucking their cocks," and the trashy, "Stricken with gout, if you don't have any drugs get the fuck out. Bohab! Bohab, your pock-marked face makes her sick..." and so on. Make up your own mind.
Personally I couldn't give two huge dollops of crap about the band's image and lyrical murmurings, it's about how good the songs are. This album is impressive and would be impressive if 4 kids from a garage in Chepstow had written it. The only question left to ponder is it healthy for a group of men, who must be pushing forty, to be dressed up as gory aliens and writing songs about sucking cocks? Everyone's got to make a living I suppose.