War Is All We Know
Encyclopedia
"War Is All We Know" is the second track in GWAR
's 2006 album Beyond Hell
and can be considered the first actual song in the album as the previous track was merely an introduction designed to build up tension for this track. This track puts emphasis on the thrash metal
style GWAR had been developing for about 5 years previous to Beyond Hell
and features fast paced riff
ing by Balsac the Jaws of Death
and Flattus Maximus
as well as barked vocals by Oderus Urungus
. The song, however, breaks in the middle into a slow, heavily distorted, dissonant interlude in which the drums by Jizmak Da Gusha
become most notable. The song then speeds up again and returns to a similar riff as the one present at the start of the song before ending and leading into the following track.
sets the context for this track, as it tells you of GWAR sleeping through "half the war". This song on the other hand, tells us of said war as GWAR are attacked by the armies of the Nazi Pope and find themselves defending their fortress from the enemy's incoming attack. However, despite their attempts at resistance, GWAR are forced to retreat after their fortress is nuked
by the enemy.
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...
's 2006 album Beyond Hell
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...
and can be considered the first actual song in the album as the previous track was merely an introduction designed to build up tension for this track. This track puts emphasis on the thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
style GWAR had been developing for about 5 years previous to Beyond Hell
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...
and features fast paced riff
RIFF
The Resource Interchange File Format is a generic file container format for storing data in tagged chunks. It is primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video, though it may also be used to store any arbitrary data....
ing by 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...
and Flattus Maximus
Flattus Maximus
Flattus 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...
as well as barked vocals by Oderus Urungus
Oderus Urungus
Oderus 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"...
. The song, however, breaks in the middle into a slow, heavily distorted, dissonant interlude in which the drums by Jizmak Da Gusha
Jizmak Da Gusha
Jizmak 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...
become most notable. The song then speeds up again and returns to a similar riff as the one present at the start of the song before ending and leading into the following track.
Relevance to Beyond Hell's plot
The album's IntroIntro (Beyond Hell track)
"Intro" is the first "track" to GWAR's 2006 album Beyond Hell. Although not considered a "real song", this intro plays a part in building up tension for the next track, War Is All We Know and setting the mood for the album's story with its subdued, ominious atmosphere.-Relevance to Beyond Hell's...
sets the context for this track, as it tells you of GWAR sleeping through "half the war". This song on the other hand, tells us of said war as GWAR are attacked by the armies of the Nazi Pope and find themselves defending their fortress from the enemy's incoming attack. However, despite their attempts at resistance, GWAR are forced to retreat after their fortress is nuked
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...
by the enemy.