Beyond Hell
Encyclopedia
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 around Gwar's journey to Hell
as they escape from the attacking armies of humanity.
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.
Beyond Hell was produced by Devin Townsend
of Strapping Young Lad
(Who also provided backing vocals in "Tormentor") and Cory Smoot. The album was demo'd and recorded in Corey Smoot's personal recording studio (christened SlavePit Studios) with the exception of Dave Brockie's vocals, which were done in Vancouver
at Devin Townsend's studio.
The album is available as a regular CD or in a limited digipack format, which also includes a bonus DVD
with various extras on it plus expanded artwork and a poster. The DVD features behind the scenes clips featuring a tour of the "Slave Pit" which is where all the costumes are made, and stored, as well as a short called "Meeting Dave Brockie" where the producers meet the man behind the Oderus mask, as well as mockumentary
footage of producer Devin Townsend
(whose name is misspelled "Townshend") meeting the band for the first time. The DVD was produced by acclaimed metal producers Metal Injection, who included a bonus sketch of Russian journalist "Metal" Misha crashing a Gwar recording session.
”, who seems to think that he is a bigger bad ass than Oderus. Along the way Gwar encounter’s a bevy of demonic dickheads and hapless victims, all ready to die for your entertainment because they're all a bunch of assholes". The line "Abandon All [Your] Hope, Ye Who Enters Here" from Dante Alighieri's Inferno is used in the last verse in "Go To Hell!"
The main outline of the album's plot is told in the lyrics, and it is expanded upon on tour by the band through skits between each song.
The story starts off with a theatrical introduction by a narrator-like figure, telling us of how the "drunken brothers" of Gwar sleep, unaware of the situation around them. The story then picks up with "War Is All We Know", telling us of the attack by the armies of humanity, led by the Nazi Pope on Gwar's Antarctic fortress. And while the band manage to put up a defense for a while, eventually they are forced to retire as the enemy army nukes
Gwar's castle, forcing them to withdraw to the underground, as is told in "Murderer's Muse".
Lost, looking for a place to escape, they come across Jitler, a cross of Jesus
and Adolf Hitler
who tells them about how the underground caverns under Gwar's keep lead into Hell
itself. Jitler agrees to lead them to Hell, however, they still get lost along the way. Balsac the Jaws of Death
tries using the Hell for Dummies manual to find their way, while Jitler uses Google
to find directions. Eventually, they make their way to Hell ("Go to Hell!") but find a very long line at the gates, along with a pig
-like demonic police officer beating up people with a club. As explained in the lyrics of "I Love the Pigs", this demon used to be a corrupt policeman while he was alive, involving himself in drug deals until the last one went wrong and he was shot (despite this, the cause of death is said to be suicide by the authorities).
Gwar murder and mutilate the demonic cop and make their way through the gates of Hell, facing the Tormentor (in the eponymous song), whom they also promptly defeat. Gwar next come across the Eight Lock
, a prison within Hell keeping some of the biggest evils in the underworld inside (On tour, several demons are released from it and fight Gwar).
However, the battle isn't over yet, and their next enemy comes off as a parody of decadent rock n roll
lifestyle, a drugged out demon of rock, named Toe E. Namel who, according to the lyrics on the song "Destroyed", killed himself by overdosing on heroin. This enemy is defeated too, and the story then tells us the tale of a nerd
y Gwar fan ("The Ultimate Bohab") who became victim of the band's antics yet remained loyal until the very end, committing suicide just to follow Gwar to Hell.
After all of these battles and obstacles, the band makes it to the palace of Satan
himself ("The One That Will Not Be Named"), first asking him to open the door, but after getting no answer, smashing through it and calling him out. It is then that the main enemy of the story, Jewcifer (a portmanteau of jew and Lucifer
, intended for satiric effect) appears and fights Gwar, eventually being defeated as Gwar summons Gor-Gor
to bite the demon's head off, allowing Gwar to conquer Hell. However, their victory doesn't last long.
Following the defeat of Jewcifer, the band finds themselves back at their destroyed fortress ("Back in Crack"), receiving a 9-ton crack
boulder from Sleazy P. Martini
, and pondering over how meaningless their quest was, as they were left with absolutely nothing but a ruined castle and the knowledge that their adventure at least "was good for some kicks".
Gwar
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
. 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
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
and a rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
, centering around Gwar's journey to Hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
as they escape from the attacking armies of humanity.
Overview
The concept of this album is the closest thing to a rock operaRock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
that Gwar has done since RagNaRok
RagNaRok
Ragnarök is the fifth album, released in 1995 on Metal Blade Records, by the rock/heavy metal/punk band Gwar.This album contains the most varied vocal stylings of any Gwar album, as the majority of the band lends their lungs to the tracklist , as well as guest villain Cardinal Syn.Ragnarök is...
. Most of the albums after RagNaRok
RagNaRok
Ragnarök is the fifth album, released in 1995 on Metal Blade Records, by the rock/heavy metal/punk band Gwar.This album contains the most varied vocal stylings of any Gwar album, as the majority of the band lends their lungs to the tracklist , as well as guest villain Cardinal Syn.Ragnarök is...
either didn't follow any plot, or followed it too loosely. The concept revolves around the band's journey to hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
and their epic battle with the Devil. The album follows the sound Gwar set with Violence Has Arrived
Violence Has Arrived
Violence Has Arrived is the 2001 album by the band Gwar. It was released on November 6, 2001.According to an interview with Dave Brockie, it was supposed to be released on Sept. 11, 2001, but Metal Blade wouldn't release it until November...
and perfected with War Party
War Party (album)
-Line-up:*Dave Brockie - Lead vocals*Cory Smoot - Lead guitar, backing vocals*Mike Derks - Rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
.
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
Violence Has Arrived
Violence Has Arrived is the 2001 album by the band Gwar. It was released on November 6, 2001.According to an interview with Dave Brockie, it was supposed to be released on Sept. 11, 2001, but Metal Blade wouldn't release it until November...
).
A single for Gwar's cover of Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
's classic song School's Out
School's Out (song)
Female pop duo Daphne & Celeste, released a cover of the song in 2000. The chorus is based on Alice Cooper's hit of the same name, and some other elements of that song have been retained, although much of the song is "original", in a pop-rap style...
was released for radio play previous to the release of the album, and a video for it was shot in August, premiering on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Headbanger's Ball on August 19.
Beyond Hell was produced by Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend
Devin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
of Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad was a Canadian extreme metal band formed by Devin Townsend in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1994. The band started as a one-man studio project; Townsend played most of the instruments on the 1995 debut album, Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing...
(Who also provided backing vocals in "Tormentor") and Cory Smoot. The album was demo'd and recorded in Corey Smoot's personal recording studio (christened SlavePit Studios) with the exception of Dave Brockie's vocals, which were done in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
at Devin Townsend's studio.
The album is available as a regular CD or in a limited digipack format, which also includes a bonus DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
with various extras on it plus expanded artwork and a poster. The DVD features behind the scenes clips featuring a tour of the "Slave Pit" which is where all the costumes are made, and stored, as well as a short called "Meeting Dave Brockie" where the producers meet the man behind the Oderus mask, as well as mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
footage of producer Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend
Devin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
(whose name is misspelled "Townshend") meeting the band for the first time. The DVD was produced by acclaimed metal producers Metal Injection, who included a bonus sketch of Russian journalist "Metal" Misha crashing a Gwar recording session.
Concept
Ever since the announcement of the release of Beyond Hell (Then known as Go to Hell), the album's main theme has been known. As quoted from an announcement on Gwar.net: "[Beyond Hell] concerns Gwar’s epic journey into the tunnels and caverns that honeycomb your world, a journey not only to escape their earthly prison “from within”, but also to find and confront this so-called “SatanSatan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
”, who seems to think that he is a bigger bad ass than Oderus. Along the way Gwar encounter’s a bevy of demonic dickheads and hapless victims, all ready to die for your entertainment because they're all a bunch of assholes". The line "Abandon All [Your] Hope, Ye Who Enters Here" from Dante Alighieri's Inferno is used in the last verse in "Go To Hell!"
The main outline of the album's plot is told in the lyrics, and it is expanded upon on tour by the band through skits between each song.
The story starts off with a theatrical introduction by a narrator-like figure, telling us of how the "drunken brothers" of Gwar sleep, unaware of the situation around them. The story then picks up with "War Is All We Know", telling us of the attack by the armies of humanity, led by the Nazi Pope on Gwar's Antarctic fortress. And while the band manage to put up a defense for a while, eventually they are forced to retire as the enemy army nukes
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
Gwar's castle, forcing them to withdraw to the underground, as is told in "Murderer's Muse".
Lost, looking for a place to escape, they come across Jitler, a cross of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
and Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
who tells them about how the underground caverns under Gwar's keep lead into Hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
itself. Jitler agrees to lead them to Hell, however, they still get lost along the way. Balsac the Jaws of Death
Balsac the Jaws of Death
Balsac the Jaws of Death is the rhythm guitarist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a humanoid creature with a face resembling a bear-trap. Balsac is usually portrayed wielding a giant battleaxe...
tries using the Hell for Dummies manual to find their way, while Jitler uses Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
to find directions. Eventually, they make their way to Hell ("Go to Hell!") but find a very long line at the gates, along with a pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
-like demonic police officer beating up people with a club. As explained in the lyrics of "I Love the Pigs", this demon used to be a corrupt policeman while he was alive, involving himself in drug deals until the last one went wrong and he was shot (despite this, the cause of death is said to be suicide by the authorities).
Gwar murder and mutilate the demonic cop and make their way through the gates of Hell, facing the Tormentor (in the eponymous song), whom they also promptly defeat. Gwar next come across the Eight Lock
Malebolge
In Dante Alighieri's Inferno, part of the Divine Comedy, Malebolge is the eighth circle of Hell. Roughly translated from Italian, Malebolge means "evil ditches". Malebolge is a large, funnel-shaped cavern, itself divided into ten concentric circular trenches or ditches. Each trench is called a bolgia...
, a prison within Hell keeping some of the biggest evils in the underworld inside (On tour, several demons are released from it and fight Gwar).
However, the battle isn't over yet, and their next enemy comes off as a parody of decadent rock n roll
Rock N Roll
-Personnel:*Ryan Adams - Bass, Composer, Costume Design, Guitar, Keyboards, Multi Instruments, Vocals, Vocals *Billie Joe Armstrong - Vocals *Melissa Auf der Maur - Vocals...
lifestyle, a drugged out demon of rock, named Toe E. Namel who, according to the lyrics on the song "Destroyed", killed himself by overdosing on heroin. This enemy is defeated too, and the story then tells us the tale of a nerd
Nerd
Nerd is a derogatory slang term for an intelligent but socially awkward and obsessive person who spends time on unpopular or obscure pursuits, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Nerds are considered to be awkward, shy, and unattractive...
y Gwar fan ("The Ultimate Bohab") who became victim of the band's antics yet remained loyal until the very end, committing suicide just to follow Gwar to Hell.
After all of these battles and obstacles, the band makes it to the palace of Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
himself ("The One That Will Not Be Named"), first asking him to open the door, but after getting no answer, smashing through it and calling him out. It is then that the main enemy of the story, Jewcifer (a portmanteau of jew and Lucifer
Lucifer
Traditionally, Lucifer is a name that in English generally refers to the devil or Satan before being cast from Heaven, although this is not the original meaning of the term. In Latin, from which the English word is derived, Lucifer means "light-bearer"...
, intended for satiric effect) appears and fights Gwar, eventually being defeated as Gwar summons Gor-Gor
America Must Be Destroyed
-Line-up:*Dave Brockie – Lead vocals*Pete Lee – Lead guitar, backing vocals tour only*Mike Derks – Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
to bite the demon's head off, allowing Gwar to conquer Hell. However, their victory doesn't last long.
Following the defeat of Jewcifer, the band finds themselves back at their destroyed fortress ("Back in Crack"), receiving a 9-ton crack
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
boulder from Sleazy P. Martini
Sleazy P. Martini
Sleazy P. Martini is a character played by Don Drakulich in the theatrical heavy metal band Gwar. He wears a gigantic gold necklace with a dollar symbol, a large pompadour, a bright purple suit, and is often seen wielding a sawed-off shotgun...
, and pondering over how meaningless their quest was, as they were left with absolutely nothing but a ruined castle and the knowledge that their adventure at least "was good for some kicks".
Characters
- GwarGwarGwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
- Main characters in the story, decadent rock band made up of alien war gods banished to EarthEarthEarth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. - The Nazi Pope - Attacks Gwar's fortress early in the story; though mentioned in the liner notes and featured on tour (killed during "Immortal Corrupter"), there is no mention of him in any song.
- Jitler - Created by Jesus Christ and Adolf HitlerAdolf HitlerAdolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
merging "right at the ass", leads Gwar through Hell and can be considered one of the few characters in the Gwar mythos that is allied to Gwar without being a member of the group (others being the Bonesnapper and Scroda MoonScroda MoonScroda Moon is a Gwar character, played by Hunter Jackson. The story of Gwar's 1999 album We Kill Everything revolves heavily around Moon, and his doomsday prophecies. We Kill Everything is the only album to feature Moon. He gets his name from his head, which is a penis, and his chin literally a...
). - The Pig - A corrupt cop who serves as Hell's resident policeman, first battle in Hell.
- Tormentor - Fought after The Pig, not much is explained about the Tormentor, except that he is some kind of demon guardian. On tour, the song was used during the slaughter of Pres. George W. Bush.
- The Demon of Rock N Roll - A demon who used to be a drug addicted, decadent rockRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
star. His official name is Toe E. Namel. - The Ultimate Bohab - A Gwar fan who killed himself to follow Gwar to Hell and is actually an enemy on tour. (as he would have been in life; Gwar is not particularly fond of their fans). His name is given as Stubbles McGillicutty.
- Jewcifer (He Who Will Not Be Named) - Overlord of Hell, none other than SatanSatanSatan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
himself and the last enemy Gwar face in their quest. Portrayed by Matt Maguire (MX2, the slave with the knight helmet) both on the album and on tour. - Sleazy P. MartiniSleazy P. MartiniSleazy P. Martini is a character played by Don Drakulich in the theatrical heavy metal band Gwar. He wears a gigantic gold necklace with a dollar symbol, a large pompadour, a bright purple suit, and is often seen wielding a sawed-off shotgun...
- Mentioned only in Murderer's Muse and Back in Crack, sends Gwar a nine ton crackCocaineCocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
boulder at the end of the story. His first appearance in a Gwar album for several years.
Track listing
Line-up
- Dave Brockie (Oderus UrungusOderus UrungusOderus Urungus, played by Dave Brockie, is the lead vocalist of the Metal band Gwar. He appears as an intergalactic humanoid barbarian with devil horns and a meaty looking face, and always carries around a long sword named "Unt Lick"...
) - lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the... - Cory Smoot (Flattus MaximusFlattus MaximusFlattus Maximus is the name of a former character and guitarist in the American heavy metal band Gwar. He is known by his red face, white dreadlocks, dinosaur-head shoulder pads and reptile feet. The name "Flattus" implies a flatulent character. His speaking mannerisms suggest a childlike...
) - lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Mike Derks (Balsac the Jaws of DeathBalsac the Jaws of DeathBalsac the Jaws of Death is the rhythm guitarist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a humanoid creature with a face resembling a bear-trap. Balsac is usually portrayed wielding a giant battleaxe...
) - rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, backing vocals - Todd Evans (Beefcake the MightyBeefcake the MightyBeefcake the Mighty is the bassist in the rock band Gwar. He appears as a stout humanoid girded in Roman-style armor. He is usually portrayed wielding either an oversized Gladius sword or a large battle-axe .-Background:According to Gwar mythos, Beefcake originates from the planet Cholesterol...
) - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da GushaJizmak Da GushaJizmak Da Gusha is the drummer in the rock band Gwar. Although the costume has undergone many changes since the character was introduced, Jizmak's onstage get-up somewhat resembles a monstrous dog with very large teeth...
) - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Devin TownsendDevin TownsendDevin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
- producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Matt Maguire (normally a slave; Jewcifer on the album) - vocals on "The One That Will Not Be Named"