Chock-full of random derision, expansive snarkiness, and low-down
garage
sensibilities,
Carnival of Chaos
is
Gwar
at its best. The snapshots of a cartoon apocalypse and over-the-top deviance of this 1997
Metal Blade
release are in strict keeping with the group's foul vision. The
punk
-inflected chugging and whining guitar lines make this one of
's most sylized and, well, listenable releases to date. But the bizarre and frequently self-effacing lyrics are what make
one of
's best offerings.
"Penguin Attack"
is an absolute hoot, with some of
metal
's all-time funniest lyrics: "They are on a rampage/They were first to fight/They would write a new page/If they could only write." Other choice cuts include the
hardcore-esque
"If I Could Be That"
and the '80s
pop
of
"I Suck on My Thumb."
Stripped down and full of goofy but vibrant anxiety,
is a must for the thinking
fan (if such a creature exists). ~ Vincent Jeffries