Gwar

"Violence Has Arrived"
(Metal Blade Records) 

We all knew it was coming and yet we still couldn't have prepared ourselves for the degree of devastation they'd thrust upon us. Yes there is a theme behind the title-'Violence Has Arrived" finds the Antarctic mutants in their usual foul mood and this time they've really got an axe to grind-if their cover art is any indication, blood is only the beginning. Gwar's always meant more than this march of the Neanderthals' unholy massacre with a propensity for the preposterous-the Dave Brockie Experience released last year (Gwar vocals) indicated emphatically there was indeed a man behind the stupidity-and musicality meant much more than a club to the jaw. "Violence Has Arrived" is far from the usual Gwar release-comparative to early Kiss where you knew too much of what to expect, there'd be the usual three or four key tracks while the rest were quickly forgotten-here the violence has arrived with a degree of force not realized since the days of "America Must Be Destroyed." There's a menacing sincerity to the five characters. No longer consumed by their own drool, they sport angry, ferocious looks all of which reflects in the playing, now suddenly a might more aggressive where tunes like "Battle lust," "Anti-Anti-Christ," and "Beauteous Rot" take on more significance than just your usual carnivorous carnival games… think power, think mighty riffs and mind rot where "Rotten To The Core" era Overkill flanks the warmonger of modern day Thrash cults and sonic death elements-the wrecking crew for the here and now. Before you wander off wondering if fun becomes the sacrificial lamb for this more powerfully adopted posterior, fear not, for "The Apes Of Wrath," "Bloody Mary," "Bile Driver," all offer proud proclamations that Gwar's heart still lies somewhere within their nether regions. Throw it altogether, it's another frightful and diabolical plunge into the bowels of indecency on a record that shames their previously goofy ("We Kill Everything") and one many should recognize as amongst their greatest conquests!

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