Bloody Pit of Horror (GWAR album)
Encyclopedia
Bloody Pit of Horror is the twelfth studio album by Gwar
. On September 8, Gwar announced the official release date of the new album to be November 9, 2010 on Metal Blade Records
.
The first track, "Zombies, March!" is available for streaming at Bloody-Disgusting's website.
The album's title comes from the movie of the same name
.
This is the second Gwar album to feature eight-string guitars, as can be seen in the video for "Zombies, March!". The first song to use them was "Release the Flies" from Lust in Space
. It is the last album to feature Cory Smoot as Flattus Maximus before his death in 2011, as well as the Flattus Maximus character.
As for its place in Gwar's extensive lore, the first four tracks of the album are considered chapters of the "Bloody Pit of Horror," a story in which the band returns to Earth to raise an undead army known as the Nekro Swarm. At least on tour, Sawborg Destructo returns as a villain sporting a new mechanized body.
The rest of the album chronicles different perversity standard for Gwar—the track "Hail, Genocide!" is a call to arms of sorts, while "Tick-Tits" describes a woman whose breasts are covered in ticks--"big, gray, puffy ones," as Oderus describes. "Beat You to Death" serves as an anthem of Beefcake the Mighty, "KZ Necromancer" details the exploits of Nazi scientist Josef Mengele
and his experiments, "Sick and Twisted" and "You Are My Meat" further display Oderus' disgusting habits and disdain for humans, and "Litany of the Slain" describes—in nearly chronological order—every creature and celebrity the band has killed in their 25 years of performing, urging the listener to "check in" on future Gwar shows to see more characters die.
Promotion leading up to the release of the album has been extensive. Dave Brockie (as Oderus) appeared in many interviews and promotional appearances, including Fox's Red Eye and Full Metal Jackie
. He also appeared at the annual Zombie Walk in Toronto on October 23, 2010, leading over 6,000 zombies in parade. He was later named "Honorary Grand Marshal" of the event. They continued to travel the country, on the tour dubbed The Bloody Tour of Horror.
On October 28, 2010, Gwar played live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
, marking their first late night television performance. On Halloween, a live web broadcast of their Milwaukee, WI performance was streamed to the public.
The music video for the song "Zombies, March!" was created in collaboration with Fangoria
, and later premiered on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. The song later appeared in the game Tap Tap Revenge 4
. For its release, members of the band competed against fans for high scores.
"Beat You To Death" also received heavy rotation on several college radio stations, the most notable of which was WVYC
, where it is still frequently requested and played. Carmelo Ildefonso, host of the "After-Hour Abomination," has stated that "there's nothing more you could possibly ask for of a thrash metal track. It's still one of the best songs I've ever heard."
In the first week, Bloody Pit of Horror sold 2,800 copies, which is about half of what the previous year's Lust In Space sold.
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...
. On September 8, Gwar announced the official release date of the new album to be November 9, 2010 on Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
.
The first track, "Zombies, March!" is available for streaming at Bloody-Disgusting's website.
The album's title comes from the movie of the same name
Bloody Pit of Horror
Bloody Pit of Horror is a 1965 Italian gothic horror film based on the writings of Marquis de Sade and directed by Massimo Pupillo...
.
This is the second Gwar album to feature eight-string guitars, as can be seen in the video for "Zombies, March!". The first song to use them was "Release the Flies" from Lust in Space
Lust in Space
-Line-up:*Dave Brockie - lead vocals*Cory Smoot - lead guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Release the Flies"*Mike Derks - rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
. It is the last album to feature Cory Smoot as Flattus Maximus before his death in 2011, as well as the Flattus Maximus character.
Concept and Sound
While Bloody Pit of Horror continues Gwar's move towards a more metal-oriented sound as seen on their last few albums, it is notable for having a particularly heavier sound, achieved through the use of eight-string guitars and more aggressive drumming. In an interview before the album's release, Dave Brockie stated he was interested in a "darker" and heavier sound.As for its place in Gwar's extensive lore, the first four tracks of the album are considered chapters of the "Bloody Pit of Horror," a story in which the band returns to Earth to raise an undead army known as the Nekro Swarm. At least on tour, Sawborg Destructo returns as a villain sporting a new mechanized body.
The rest of the album chronicles different perversity standard for Gwar—the track "Hail, Genocide!" is a call to arms of sorts, while "Tick-Tits" describes a woman whose breasts are covered in ticks--"big, gray, puffy ones," as Oderus describes. "Beat You to Death" serves as an anthem of Beefcake the Mighty, "KZ Necromancer" details the exploits of Nazi scientist Josef Mengele
Josef Mengele
Josef Rudolf Mengele , also known as the Angel of Death was a German SS officer and a physician in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. He earned doctorates in anthropology from Munich University and in medicine from Frankfurt University...
and his experiments, "Sick and Twisted" and "You Are My Meat" further display Oderus' disgusting habits and disdain for humans, and "Litany of the Slain" describes—in nearly chronological order—every creature and celebrity the band has killed in their 25 years of performing, urging the listener to "check in" on future Gwar shows to see more characters die.
Production and Promotion
After recording their previous album Lust in Space, Gwar was traveling on their 2009 tour. It was during this time that Metal Blade decided to order up a new album—the band's last on their contract with the company. Cory Smoot had been working on music for his solo project, which the band decided to use for a new Gwar album. They then recorded it over the course of six months traveling back and forth between the studio and Europe, to continue their tour. According to Smoot, he had been writing this material for two years, much like the Lust in Space track "Release the Flies," which also employs the use of eight-string guitars.Promotion leading up to the release of the album has been extensive. Dave Brockie (as Oderus) appeared in many interviews and promotional appearances, including Fox's Red Eye and Full Metal Jackie
Full Metal Jackie
Full Metal Jackie, Jackie Kajzer, is the host and creator of the nationally accredited and syndicated radio metal show, Full Metal Jackie. She is known for her unique playlists and detailed interviews with legendary rock artists, including Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Zakk Wylde and Children of Bodom....
. He also appeared at the annual Zombie Walk in Toronto on October 23, 2010, leading over 6,000 zombies in parade. He was later named "Honorary Grand Marshal" of the event. They continued to travel the country, on the tour dubbed The Bloody Tour of Horror.
On October 28, 2010, Gwar played live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
, marking their first late night television performance. On Halloween, a live web broadcast of their Milwaukee, WI performance was streamed to the public.
The music video for the song "Zombies, March!" was created in collaboration with Fangoria
Fangoria
Fangoria is an American magazine devoted to horror and exploitation films, which has a number of associated brands:* Fangoria Comics* Fangoria Films* Fangoria RadioFangoria may also refer to:* Fangoria , a Spanish electro pop band...
, and later premiered on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. The song later appeared in the game Tap Tap Revenge 4
Tap Tap Revenge 4
Tap Tap Revenge 4 is the fourth installment in the Tap Tap series. It is a game developed by Tapulous and published by Tapulous for iOS and Android OS.-Gameplay:...
. For its release, members of the band competed against fans for high scores.
"Beat You To Death" also received heavy rotation on several college radio stations, the most notable of which was WVYC
WVYC
WVYC is a college radio station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to serve the community of York, Pennsylvania, USA. The station broadcasts from the Robert V. Iosue Student Union Building on the campus of York College of Pennsylvania in York...
, where it is still frequently requested and played. Carmelo Ildefonso, host of the "After-Hour Abomination," has stated that "there's nothing more you could possibly ask for of a thrash metal track. It's still one of the best songs I've ever heard."
In the first week, Bloody Pit of Horror sold 2,800 copies, which is about half of what the previous year's Lust In Space sold.
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 vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - 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... - 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 vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Casey Orr (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 vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
, lead vocals on "Beat You to Death" - 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...