Our Rating

User Rating

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Loading...

For those Juggalos who have never heard the name GWAR or have never had the pleasure of seeing them live or on Youtube, this article is specifically for you. GWAR is a 5 piece band from Virginia, whose sound has ranged from Alternative to the heaviest of Metal since their creation in 1984. But the fact that they’ve been playing for 25 years isn’t what’s special about them. Their entire sound and stage show is based around the fact that they are 5 Alien/Monster/Warrior/Gods from across the Galaxy. Here is their story as described on their website at Gwar.net:

“Eons ago, there existed an elite group of chaos warriors who ravaged the galaxy with a boundless hatred of all things alive. They were called the Scumdogs of the Universe, and they grew in might and fury, the greatest weapon in the arsenal of their cosmic Master.

But they became too powerful, and too defiant, and for their cosmic crimes were banished to the most insignificant planet in the universe…the seething mudball known as Earth.

Millions of years passed, and they slumbered, until the pollution of your world de-thawed these creatures from their ageless coma…and now they stride the Earth, living gods, dedicated to one goal, the destruction of the human race, and the eradication of existence itself! Wait- that’s two goals!”

Sounds pretty cool right? They’re best known for their unique and heavy sound as well as their intensely obscene and grotesquely vivid lyricism that at times would make Cannibal Corpse blush mixed in with a solid serving of comic relief. Seeing as they just played at the Gathering I figured, as a huge fan, I would give you an intro and a review of their latest LP “Lust In Space”.

The day has finally come when the Scumdogs of the Universe have found a way to escape Earth. This album marks the end of their reign on our planet and the beginning of their tyranny on the entire Galaxy. I’ve been waiting for this album to come out since I started listening to them so let’s see how it matches up with the rest of their albums and their current heavy trend… Play Track 1.

It begins down-tempo and with creepy small animal sounds and interesting synth tricks that makes it sound like you’re walking through a forbidden and ancient temple. Oderus(lead singer) starts out with “Again, what grim vision this… Blood stained tomb, beer cans and piss. This… Is no life… for a god” and then it breaks into the metal. Though this album is the 4th in their current series of thrash albums, it’s toned down just a bit from Beyond Hell but not too much.

In this new album GWAR stays true to their metal roots and hardened ferocious sound, however, they didn’t skimp on the goofy antics. Songs like Let Us Slay, Damnation Under God, and The Price Of Peace make you want to bang your melon right the fuck off with powerful riffs and insane breakdowns that are sure to make your neighbors complain, even if you live on a farm. The bassist Beefcake lends his vocals on Damnation Under God and the lead guitarist Flattus does the same on Release The Flies, which to some loyal GWAR fans is a bit odd. To me personally I think it can’t beat Oderus and his unique pipes but they don’t necessarily disappoint. Coincidentally this album was produced by their lead so that may have had something to do with it. Lyrically this album is just as good as any other: Vile and hilarious. Here are some of my favorites:

“If I can escape Earth, I swear I’ll quit crack” – Lust In Space

“All the chicks are strippers, all their fathers proud” –Metal Metal Land

“I go straight to work. Crushing Babies, Torching Worlds, and acting like a jerk” –Where Is Zog?

And those are pretty soft considering the artist.In the end this new album is a credit to their ongoing legacy. Heavy riffs, screaming solos and drums that seem to at times be a Thrash/Tribal fusion that would put Sepultura to shame make this album a must buy for any metal collection. As underground artists they stand at the forefront of the same basic “fuck you” attitude toward mainstream. Only they would say something more along the lines of “Suck my giant scaly HIV infested cock” as they run a burning rampage through the office building.

Websites

GWAR.net
MySpace.com/GWAROfficial

Record Label:

• Metal Blade Records

Release Date:

• 08/18/2009

Reviewer: