The New Dark Ages
The New Dark Ages is a 2022 studio album by American heavy metal group Gwar. The album has received positive reviews and was promoted by a tour and the comic book Gwar in The Duoverse of Absurdity, released by Z2 Comics.[2]
| The New Dark Ages | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 3, 2022 | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 66:30 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Pit Records | |||
| 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]
Reception
Sam 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
- "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
Gwar
- 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"
- "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
References
- "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.
External links
- The New Dark Ages at Discogs (list of releases)
- The New Dark Ages at MusicBrainz (list of releases)