The Blood Of Gods

October 20th, 2017, the band released their 14th album, The Blood of Gods. This is the first album without Dave Brockie, and the album is also the first to feature Michael Bishop since We Kill Everything, portraying the newest character, lead singer Blöthar the Berserker, as opposed to his role as the original Beefcake the Mighty.

In a departure from GWAR’s heavier thrash metal style, which had been built upon since 2001’s *Violence Has Arrived*, *The Blood of Gods* features tracks that experiment with hard rock, classic rock, viking metal, hardcore punk, and power ballad influences. Also notable is the re-introduction of guest vocalists, with every member of GWAR singing at least one line on the album, as well as a character played by rapper mc chris. Longtime villain Sawborg Destructo (Matt Maguire) also makes his debut appearance on the album.

## Story

The album’s story involves the armies of Earth joining forces to destroy GWAR (“War On GWAR”), successfully bombing the band’s Antarctic fortress. Unbeknownst to them, GWAR survives the attack and, after reflecting on their time on Earth (“Auroch”, “Fuck This Place”), take their revenge on humanity (“El Presidente”, “Swarm”, “Death to Dickie Duncan”, “Crushed by the Cross”). Along the way, the band’s manager, Sleazy P. Martini (Don Drakulich), convinces them to write a radio friendly song (“I’ll Be Your Monster”) in an attempt to make as much money as possible. The album’s penultimate track, “Phantom Limb”, serves as a tribute to both Dave Brockie and his Oderus Urungus character.

## Track Listing

* "Fuck This Place" contains an unlisted orchestral reprise of "War on Gwar" after the main song concludes. Vinyl pressings of the album feature a re-ordered track listing and place the reprise at the end of side C, following "Crushed By the Cross."

## Personnel

* Mike Bishop (Blöthar the Berserker) – lead vocals, bass on "Viking Death Machine" and "Crushed By the Cross"
* Brent Purgason (Pustulus Maximus) – lead guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Crushed By the Cross", additional vocals on "El Presidente" and "Death to Dickie Duncan"
* Mike Derks (Balsac the Jaws of Death) – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, additional vocals on "El Presidente"
* Jamison Land (Beefcake the Mighty) – bass, backing vocals, additional vocals on "El Presidente" and "Fuck This Place", glockenspiel
* Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da Gusha) – drums, percussion, additional vocals on "El Presidente" and "Fuck This Place"
* Matt Maguire (Sawborg Destructo) – lead vocals on "The Sordid Soliloquy of Sawborg Destructo"
* Bob Gorman (Bonesnapper) – spoken words at the end of "If You Want Blood"
* MC Chris (Dickie Duncan) – additional vocals on "Death to Dickie Duncan" and "Fuck This Place"
* Jenna Ottinger – additional vocals on "War on Gwar" and "Crushed By the Cross"
* JW Adkins – orchestral arrangement on "War on Gwar" reprise
* Danny T. Levin – all horns and horn arrangements on "El Presidente"
* Jonah Kane-West – B3 organ on "Viking Death Machine", "I'll Be Your Monster", and "Phantom Limb"
* Nicole Roberts – additional percussion, tambourine, vibraslap, and Tibetan chimes
* Mark Kilborn – additional sound design
* Ronan Chris Murphy – production, keyboards, additional percussion, and backing vocals

## Charts

 US Top Hard Rock Albums (*Billboard*)
 US Top Rock Albums (*Billboard*)