This theatrical shock-rock heavy metal quintet emerged from Richmond, Virginia, USA.

Assuming bizarre pseudonyms, they comprised Oderus Urungus (vocals), Balsac, The Jaws Of Death (guitar), Flattus Maximus (guitar), Beefcake The Mighty (b. Mike Bishop; bass) and Nippleus Erectus (drums). They are primarily renowned for an outrageous live show that involves the band adorning themselves in hideous papier mâché masks and wielding blood-splattered torture implements, with set-pieces including the feigned buggery of a priest with a crucifix.

Consequently, their United Kingdom tour ground to a halt after just three dates owing to the resulting moral panic. Taken to court in the United States over allegedly displaying a penis as a stage prop (the band suggested, bizarrely, that it was some form of fish), it came as little surprise to learn that the origins of GWAR (apparently, "God What A Racket") lie in an art school collective. The music, which is no more than rudimentary thrash, complete with unintelligible vocals, takes second place to the visuals. Without the visual back-up, their albums are anti-climactic. Bishop left the band in the mid-90s to form Kepone.