Review by Sheri Bicheno for MPM
The planet’s most loved Scumdogs GWAR return with their new offering The New Dark Ages!
It doesn’t disappoint! GWAR bulldoze through fifteen humongous tracks spanning 67 minutes of pure intergalactic filth and fun.
The songs on this album are packed full of twists and turns and the band combine a multitude of different styles of punk, thrash, groove metal and doom elements, a twist of sci-fi with a catchy and fun vibe, to create an extremely entertaining experience.
Each track has something a little diverse and powerful to offer, whether it’s instrumental, or even in melody and lyrics. However, that’s not all this album puts on the table, as GWAR have blended this concoction of tracks together to create something that bounces off each other during our tuning in.
The concept of the album tells a story in a graphic novel called GWAR In The Duoverse of Absurdity, in which the band are vortexed off into an alternate dimension to do battle with their evil twins and the Spector of Rogue Technology.
We start out with the title track The New Dark Age which introduces us to the album in a fast tempo, heavy drifting, lyrically hilarious light. Thumping and riffing waves keeps this track upbeat and then you’re sucked into this bonkers journey…
Blood Libel is next with a disgustingly heavy riff and maniacal laughing and the most ridiculously dark humored lyrics featured in a track – as is true GWAR style.
Though, almost a doomy vibe to this track. Here, i find that new vocalist Blothar sets an example of exactly why he fits so well with GWAR. Rolling, thunderous lyrics soar through this album – older GWAR fans i expect will enjoy his vocals as much as he smashed it on the last.
Motherfucking Liar and Venom of the Platypus are the definite stand out’s – Definite tracks that have made their ways of anthems on The New Dark Ages. BUT then along comes a track like Bored to Death which completely pulls the rug from under your feet.
Chugging riffs, thrash vocals, and the thunderous drums in time…. When you hit around 02:50 – the BEAUTIFUL ethereal strings come into your senses and then you’re taken down this brutal fall of a rabbit hole even further. This track absolutely rivets your senses.
Though Temple Ascent is an instrumental, it’s still none the less, thrilling and enticing…easing you into the slow and misty moods of Starving Gods – which is probably my favourite track on this album. I like a track that can be heavy, yet hugely ambient. And this is my fix of it totally.
The New Dark Ages is a killer album – fun, vibrant, imaginative (as you would expect with these Alien Lords) and kicks us back into touch after the brutality of the last couple of years.
To ensure you see the blood spewing, messy theatrics of this gargantuan band, GWAR are touring the UK this year:
8/8: Dover, UK – The Booking Hall
9/8: Brighton, UK – Chalk
10/8: Bristol, UK – Fleece
12/8: Catton Park, UK – Bloodstock
13/8: Norwich, UK – Waterfront
14/8: Leeds, UK – Key Club
16/8: Glasgow, UK – Garage
17/8: Manchester, UK – Club Academy
18/8: London, UK – The Dome
Track Listing
- New Dark Age
- Blood Libel
- Berserker Mode
- Mother Fucking Liar
- Unto The Breach
- Completely Fucked
- The Cutter
- Rise Again
- The Beast Will Eat Itself
- Venom of the Platypus
- Ratcatcher
- Bored to Death
- Temple Ascent (Death Whistle Suite)
- Starving Gods (Death Whistle Suite)
- Deus Ex Monstrum (Death Whistle Suite)
Pick up or stream the album at https://lnk.to/GWAR_TNDA.
