The New Dark Ages
Gwar · 2022
66 min · 15 tracks · thrash metal
A chaotic blend of thrash metal and shock rock that critiques contemporary society with grotesque humor and relentless energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blood Libel — This track exemplifies Gwar's biting satire, tackling themes of misinformation with a furious tempo and vivid imagery that captures the essence of their critique.
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Berserker Mode — With its anthemic chorus and relentless energy, this track serves as a rallying cry for rebellion, embodying Gwar's signature blend of humor and aggression.
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Rise Again — This song showcases a more introspective side of Gwar, blending heaviness with melodic elements as it explores themes of resilience and hope amidst chaos.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive thrash with theatrical elements, showcasing strong writing and production but less cohesion in its extensive tracklist.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a relentless pace, maintaining aggressive tempos throughout the first half.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo shifts and dynamic changes, such as 'Mother Fucking Liar' which transitions from fast riffs to slower, heavier sections.
- The last three tracks are structured as a suite, incorporating orchestral elements and varying moods that contrast sharply with the preceding songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gradual builds and payoffs
- long immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- theatrical storytelling elements
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The New Dark Ages is Gwar's thirteenth studio album, released after their 2017 album The Blood of Gods. At this point in their career, Gwar continued to evolve their theatrical performances while confronting modern issues through their signature blend of absurdity and aggression. This album showcases the band's resilience and adaptability amid changes in the music landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Municipal Waste· Ludichrist· Exodus
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 New Dark Age 4:17
- 2 Blood Libel 3:38
- 3 Berserker Mode 4:07
- 4 Mother Fucking Liar 3:12
- 5 Unto the Breach 4:19
- 6 Completely Fucked 3:55
- 7 The Cutter 4:00
- 8 Rise Again 5:18
- 9 The Beast Will Eat Itself 3:13
- 10 Venom of the Platypus 4:35
- 11 Ratcatcher 4:07
- 12 Bored to Death 4:00
- 13 Temple Ascent (Death Whistle Suite) 1:43
- 14 Starving Gods (Death Whistle Suite) 5:11
- 15 Deus Ex Monstrum (Death Whistle Suite) 10:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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