'Beyond Hell'

By: Mark Farias

Posted: 9/20/06

Turns out that Gwar has released a new album called "Beyond Hell" which was released on August 29.

Their main tracks are "Eighth Lock," "Go to Hell," and "War Is All We Know," along with a cover of Alice Cooper's "Schools Out."

They stick and stay true to their lyrical style and content; addressing important issues like cops who beat you with huge sticks and going to hell on a roller coaster, with its additional and common main dose of violence and gory content.

Although "Beyond Hell" is an impressive album, it doesn't come close to attaining the brutality of "The Violence Has Arrived" or even to their second latest album called "War Party"

The most attractive attribute to this CD is located in the inside booklet, which comes with an introductory mini-story, which serves as a program with background information to the setting of the song, of an endless and treacherous saga.

For example, their song "Tormentor" begins with the introduction of the members of GWAR being met by their Archenemy of the album, "Jitler," like so many others pseudo-character based and revolving around historical figures and their caricatures, he serves as the chauffer through the abyss, leading them to their new challenges, this one being the battle against "The Tormentor."

The introduction to the song begins with:

"The only way to re-conquer the fortress of GWAR is by clearing hell of it's demons, gathering their power as you slay them, until you have the might to face the Dark Lord himself!"

"It is said he once cracked a smile, it was said his blood was made of bile, it is said that his thews are mighty, it is said his views are righty, his loins heave with sap - Tormentor"

Give the lyricist (Dave Brockie) credit for this song, not only does he use the term "festooned" lyrically, which means to be highly decorated and covered with ornate emblems, but aside from that, he also uses the word "filigree" which means ornamented with gold and silver twisted wire, and properly if I may add, most impressive is that the song uses the term "thew" which is a well developed sinew or muscle, GWAR must be one of the most eloquent and articulate metal bands around

GWAR has matured a lot since their "Hell-O" album where they talk about being "Americanized" in a land of "drugs and guns" that runs on "nine tons of crack a day," and being in love with a "Dead Dog."