GWAR announce The Black Death Rager UK Tour

They're gracing the UK this August

GWAR
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 22nd Feb 2022

GWAR have announced the UK leg of The Black Death Rager World Tour.

The Scumdog warriors will grace these shores in August 2022 for eight headline shows bracketing their previously confirmed slot at Bloodstock.

Following dates in Holland and Germany, the trek kicks off at Dover The Booking Hall on Monday 8th August and calls in at Brighton, Bristol, Bloodstock, Norwich, Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester before culminating at London’s The Dome on Thursday 18th August 2022.

GWAR vocalist Blöthar the Berserker comments: “Ah Europe, the Old Country. We shall sweep across the continent like the plague, bringing pestilence and death and our unquenchable thirst for heavy metal glory.”

Fans can expect to hear songs from GWAR’s distinguished back catalogue alongside tracks from their new studio album ‘The New Dark Ages’, which lands on Friday 3rd June.

Tickets to GWAR’s UK tour go on sale from Kerrang! Radio Tickets at 10am on Friday 25th February.

‘The New Dark Ages’ is a concept album that’s tied to a companion graphic novel, GWAR In The Duoverse of Absurdity.

A synopsis reads: ‘The band are sucked off into an alternate universe to do battle with their evil twins and the spectre of rogue technology. Our heroes floorboard it through a kaleidoscope of hard driving heavy metal and rock-n-f---ing roll, building on their hilarious mythos, introducing cool new characters, and cataloguing mankind’s hapless abandonment of their passions, rituals and beliefs.’

The CD, digital and graphic novel are released on Friday 3rd June and the vinyl and cassette follow on Friday 16th September.

Blóthar says: “This is the greatest rock record of all time. These are the songs for a new age, a New Dark Age, when men live by the dimming light of a technology destined to betray them.

“Listen, as we have a rock and roll orgy in the ruins of the world to celebrate humanity’s descent into an age of darkness, disease, ignorance, and death.”

GWAR’s UK tour dates:

AUGUST 2022

Dover The Booking Hall – 8th

Brighton Chalk – 9th

Bristol Fleece – 10th

Catton Park, Bloodstock – 12th

Norwich Waterfront – 13th

Leeds Key Club – 14th

Glasgow Garage – 16th

Manchester Club Academy – 17th

London The Dome – 18th

Buy GWAR tickets

GWAR UK tour

Rock and metal stars unmasked:

Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan unmasked

Slipknot percussionist #6 Shawn Crahan unveiled his new silver clown mask to the world when the Iowan masked metallers premiered fearsome single 'Unsainted' in May 2019. Outside of the day job banging things with Slipknot, the unmasked Shawn Crahan is an acclaimed film director and photographer.

Slipknot’s Mick Thomson unmasked

Slipknot guitarist #7 Mick Thomson's metallic hockey mask is so perfectly formidable it has remained relatively unchanged for years. On the right is an Mick Thomson without his mask traversing the streets of New York in 2019 ahead of Slipknot's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Buckethead unmasked

The highly enigmatic guitarist, who wears a KFC bucket on his head, revealed his real identity on self-released 2013 album 'Pike 13'. It poignantly depicts a younger Buckethead – real name Brian Carroll – without his mask on and hugging his late dad.

Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg unmasked

Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg and his proper horrorshow burlap mask. On the right is the devilishly handsome Jay Weinberg without his mask. Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014 replacing the departing Joey Jordison, who sadly passed away in 2021.

Slipknot’s Sid Wilson unmasked

Slipknot turntablist #0 Sid Wilson's mask dramatically changed in 2019 from his more traditional skull and gas masks to an almost Palpatine -esque deformed human mask with black robes. On the right is Sid Wilson without his mask at the premiere of Slipknot: Day Of The Gusano in Beverly Hills.

Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland unmasked and without makeup

Chameleon-like Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland is constantly coming up with brilliant new looks for the band's live shows. Fusing a mask with crudely painted make-up, this brilliantly disturbing guise is like a cross between Salvador Dali, The Joker and a demented aristocrat. Here is Wes Borland without his mask and makeup at a photoshoot in 2017.

Slipknot’s Corey Taylor unmasked

Slipknot singer #8 Corey Taylor's guise evolved into a sinister translucent mask in 2019. As the frontman of Stone Sour - and arguably the most famous member of Slipknot to boot - unless you've been living under a rock for the past two decades, you'll be well aware of what Corey Taylor looks like without his mask.

Ghost’s Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus) unmasked

Flanked by his band of Nameless Ghouls, Tobias Forge has adopted a number of papal guises over the years; from the various incarnations of Papa Emeritus through to Cardinal Copia and Papa Emeritus IV. On the right is Tobias Forge without his mask at the Grammy Awards in 2019.

GWAR’s Blothar unmasked

Following the untimely death of singer Oderus Urungus (aka Dave Brockie) in 2014, GWAR recruited Blothar - aka Michael Bishop – as their new frontman who comes complete with a pigface goblin guise. On the right is Blothar without his mask and outlandish costume speaking at a TED Talk in 2015.

Slipknot’s Alessandro Venturella unmasked

Slipknot bassist Alessandro "Alex" Venturella's mask changed from a hessian fabric mask into patterned copper mask in 2019. The genial-looking chap on the right is Alessandro Venturella without his mask.

KISS’s Paul Stanley unmasked and without makeup

Alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley has been a member of KISS since their inception in 1973 and his alter ego The Starchild has remained a constant all this time.

Slipknot’s Jim Root unmasked

Slipknot guitarist #4 Jim Root has worn a Jester mask for the entirety of his career with only minor changes in its design. Why change perfection?! Jim Root is immediately identifiable even without his mask thanks to his luscious, voluminous beard.

Behemoth’s Nergal unmasked and without makeup

One of the standout Main Stage acts at Download Festival 2019, Polish blackened death metallers Behemoth – led by the fearsome lead vocalist Nergal – have always adorned striking make-up on stage creating an enigmatic aura. On the right is Adam Nergal Darski without makeup at an album signing session.

Ex-Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn unmasked

Before he exited Slipknot in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in April 2019, #3 Chris Fehn wore a distinctive Liar Mask – aka the Pinocchio Mask. On the right is the Chris Fehn without his mask at the premiere of Shawn Clown Crahan's movie 'Officer Downe' in 2016.

KISS’s Gene Simmons unmasked and without makeup

On stage and wearing his trademark makeup, Gene Simmons adopts The Demon persona.

KISS’s Eric Singer unmasked and without makeup

Following the death of the late-great Eric Carr in 1991, new drummer Eric Singer didn't adopt his The Fox persona; instead he resurrected original drummer Peter Criss' The Catman guise.

KISS’s Tommy Thayer unmasked and without makeup

Joining KISS permanently in 2002, Tommy Thayer jumped straight into Ace Frehley's platform heels and took on his The Spaceman makeup design.

Ghost Nameless Ghoul unmasked

In March 2017, a Swedish musician called Martin Persner shared a video claiming he was formerly a Nameless Ghoul in Ghost called Omega. He left the band in July 2016 after a seven-year stint.

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