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To understand GWAR, means to keep an open mind.

As the heavy metal band nears its 40th anniversary in 2024, there鈥檚 no chance of them slowing down 鈥� not even for a moment.

鈥淲e鈥檝e had quite a run,鈥� says Michael Bishop, who performs under the stage name Blothar. 鈥淗umans have a vast appetite for self-destruction, and they are starving for it. It鈥檚 almost as if GWAR has done its job too well, and humans are more and more cruel to one another. What we try to do on stage is have fun. With our band, you learn to expect the unexpected.鈥�

For the better part of four decades, the members of GWAR are identified by their distinctively grotesque costumes.

The band鈥檚 core thematic and visual concept revolves around an elaborate science fiction-themed mythology which portrays the band members as barbaric interplanetary warriors, a narrative which serves as the basis for all of the band鈥檚 albums, live shows and media.

The band is currently on Mudvayne鈥檚 鈥淭he Psychotherapy Sessions,鈥� which is slated to make a stop at Isleta Amphitheater on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Mudvayne is the headliner and has brought along GWAR, Coal Chamber, Nonpoint and Butcher Babies.

With 40 years of material under its belt, GWAR鈥檚 music catalog is long. The band is releasing the 10th anniversary edition of 鈥淏attle Maximus,鈥� on Sept. 1. Prior to that, 2022鈥檚 鈥淭he New Dark Ages鈥� is the band鈥檚 latest album of new material.

鈥淩eaching back over the years, we find the songs that match with the content of our current live show,鈥� Bishop says. 鈥淓very show is something different and a new experience for us all.鈥�

While Bishop has been in the band since the inception, there鈥檚 always been a freedom within the band to dream as big as each one can.

鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely true that in GWAR, if you think of something, it can happen,鈥� he says. 鈥淗umans help make our wishes come true. GWAR鈥檚 dreams become reality through Blothar.鈥�

Bishop says performing was always an option for him since he was a child.

鈥淚鈥檝e always loved attention, even when I was a little whippersnapper,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 first found attention preaching in front of a group of adults. They says, 鈥楾hat guy, he鈥檚 got something because he can talk.鈥� 鈥�

Bishop鈥檚 love for performance has changed over time as he鈥檚 grown as a man and a musician.

鈥淲hen we started out, we started playing somewhere we鈥檇 never been,鈥� he says. 鈥淎ll the rules are suspended and we鈥檇 shock them. Now that we鈥檝e been around for a long time, the audience knows what to expect, so we have to go bigger and more dramatic. Though it is fun seeing some audience members see us for the first time and trying to figure us out.鈥�

Being part of Mudvayne鈥檚 tour is something that the band hasn鈥檛 ever done before.

It鈥檚 outside in amphitheaters, and each member wears a heavy costume.

鈥淭ouring is the best part,鈥� he says. 鈥淕WAR is a tiring band to be in. You have to put on a suit and do what you鈥檙e doing. The minute we鈥檙e out there, we feel the crowd鈥檚 energy and everything metals away. We try to put on a show each time that makes us happy. In the suits, being outdoors has been super hot, but we do the best we can.鈥�

With the 10th anniversary of 鈥淏attle Maximus鈥� coming out, Bishop says it will be an interesting record to revisit.

The album was the last album that David Brockie, known as Oderus Urungus, was the lead vocalist. Brockie died in 2014 and Bishop took over vocals.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been remixed,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t was a good record and it sounds a lot better. We added an extra song on the anniversary edition.鈥�