Gwar

Gwar, often styled as GWAR, is an American heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984, composed of and operated by a frequently rotating line-up of musicians, artists and filmmakers collectively known as Slave Pit Inc.

Easily identified by their distinctively grotesque costumes, Gwar's core thematic and visual concept revolves around an elaborate science fiction-themed mythology which portrays the band members as barbaric interplanetary warriors, a narrative which serves as the basis for all of the band's albums, videos, live shows and other media. Rife with over-the-top violent, sexual, and scatological humour typically incorporating social and political satire, Gwar have attracted both acclaim and controversy for their music and stage shows, the latter of which notoriously showcase enactments of graphic violence that result in the audience being sprayed with copious amounts of fake blood. Such stagecraft regularly leads Gwar to be labeled a "shock rock" band by the media.

Beyond Hell

Beyond Hell is the tenth studio album by Gwar. It was released on August 29, 2006, the album was originally announced through the band's official website on February 23, 2006. Unlike the band's output since 2001, it is a concept album and a rock opera, centering on Gwar's journey to Hell as they escape from the attacking armies of humanity.

Overview

The concept of this album is the closest thing to a rock opera that Gwar has done since RagNaRok. Most of the albums after RagNaRok either didn't follow any plot, or followed it too loosely. The concept revolves around the band's journey to hell and their epic battle with the Devil. The album follows the sound Gwar set with Violence Has Arrived and perfected with War Party.

This album had previously been tentatively titled Go To Hell! and Greetings From Hell!. Beyond Hell is one of the two albums by Gwar to have no other lead vocalist than Oderus Urungus (the other being Violence Has Arrived).

A single for Gwar's cover of Alice Cooper's classic song School's Out was released for radio play previous to the release of the album, and a video for it was shot in August, premiering on MTV's Headbanger's Ball on August 19.