The New Dark Ages is the fifteenth album by thrash metal band Gwar. It was released on June 3, 2022 through the band's own label Slave Pit Inc., making it their first record to not be released through Metal Blade Records since Beyond Hell in 2006. It also marked the band's first album to feature bassist Casey Orr since Bloody Pit of Horror and the last album to feature guitarist Pustulus Maximus (Brent Purgason) before his departure from the band in 2023.
| The New Dark Ages | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 3, 2022 | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 66:30 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Slave Pit Inc. | |||
| Producer | Ronan Murphy | |||
| Gwar chronology | ||||
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"This is the greatest rock record of all time. These are the songs for a new age, a New Dark Age, when men live by the dimming light of a technology destined to betray them. Listen, as we have a rock and roll orgy in the ruins of the world to celebrate humanity’s descent into an age of darkness, disease, ignorance, and death."
—Blöthar the Berserker on the significance of this album and Gwar's mission.[1]
Since its release, the album has received positive reviews for the social commentary featured on its lyrics and Michael Bishop's vocal performance. It was promoted by a tour and the comic book Gwar in the Duoverse of Absurdity released by Z2 Comics.[2]
Reception
editSam Law of Kerrang! rated this album a 3 out of 5, stating that "rather than dulling the overall mood, the focus on seriousness in some parts emphasises the silliness of others" and declaring that Gwar "remain the sickest band in the universe".[3] Writing for Metal Injection, Max Heilman gave this album an 8 out of 10, praising it for the band's social commentary and new vocalist Michael Bishop.[4]
Track listing
edit- "New Dark Age" – 4:17
- "Blood Libel" – 3:36
- "Berserker Mode" – 4:08
- "Mother Fucking Liar" – 3:12
- "Unto the Breach" – 4:19
- "Completely Fucked" – 3:55
- "The Cutter" – 4:01
- "Rise Again" – 5:18
- "The Beast Will Eat Itself" – 3:13
- "Venom of the Platypus" – 4:36
- "Ratcatcher" – 4:08
- "Bored to Death" – 4:00
- "Temple Ascent (Death Whistle Suite)" – 1:43
- "Starving Gods (Death Whistle Suite)" – 5:11
- "Deus Ex Monstrum (Death Whistle Suite)" – 10:53
Personnel
editGwar
- Michael Bishop (Blöthar the Berserker) – lead vocals, bass guitar
- Mike Derks (Bälsäc the Jaws o’ Death) – rhythm guitar, electric ukulele
- Bob Gorman (Bonesnapper the Cave Troll) – backing vocals
- Matt Maguire (Sawborg Destructo) – co-lead vocals
- Casey Orr (Beefcake the Mighty) – bass guitar, kazoo, backing vocals
- Brent Purgason (Pustulus Maximus) – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da Gusha) – drums, percussion
Additional personnel
- Alex De Jong – assistant engineering
- Lzzy Hale – vocals on "The Cutter"
- Hey Steve – rapping on "Rise Again"
- Alex Horley – cover art[5]
- "Divebar" Steve Kramer – harmony vocals on "Ratcatcher"
- Ronan Murphy – keyboards, vocals, sound design, mixing, production, mastering
- Arlan Oscar – Hammond B3 on "Rise Again", Mellotron on "Rise Again"
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "GWAR To Release 'The New Dark Ages' Album In June". News. Blabbermouth. January 25, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ LaPierre, Megan (January 25, 2022). "Gwar Announce New Album 'The New Dark Ages'". Exclaim!. ISSN 1207-6600. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ^ Law, Sam (May 31, 2022). "Album review: GWAR – The New Dark Ages". Kerrang!. ISSN 0262-6624. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ Podhosen, Jeff (May 31, 2023). "Album Review: GWAR The New Dark Ages". Reviews. Metal Injection. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ Horley, Alex (n.d.). "CD Art". Alex Horley Art. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
External links
edit- The New Dark Ages at Discogs (list of releases)
- The New Dark Ages at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
