GWAR is an American heavy metal and shock-rock band formed in Richmond, Virginia, known for combining thrash metal, punk, theatrical costumes, science-fiction mythology, grotesque humor and elaborate stage productions. Emerging from a collective of musicians, artists and filmmakers in the 1980s, the band built a cult following with albums including Scumdogs of the Universe, America Must Be Destroyed, This Toilet Earth, Violence Has Arrived, Beyond Hell and The New Dark Ages. Signature songs include “Sick of You,” “Saddam a Go-Go,” “The Salaminizer,” “The Road Behind,” “Gor-Gor” and “Bring Back the Bomb.” Following the death of longtime frontman Dave Brockie, who performed as Oderus Urungus, former bassist Michael Bishop returned as lead vocalist under the character Blothar the Berserker, continuing GWAR’s combination of heavy music, satire and theatrical spectacle.
