I have closely followed the exploits of these scumdogs since they first said ‘Hell-o’ to planet earth way back in 1988. They have been a constant source of amusement ever since, especially at their over the top gore soaked live shows. If you have never seen GWAR live you must, it is basically the most fun you can possibly have keeping your clothes on (well you could take em off I suppose too). This is the bands 11th studio album although they have a plethora of other releases such as live ones, DVD’s and EP’s and even a couple of best of albums behind them as well. In a way the albums are incidental to the live show, they help evolve the continuing story of GWAR and their quest at world domination as well as set up a new brood of adversaries for them to fight and dispatch in a welter of claret on the stage.
GWAR are really the twisted mind of one Dave Brockie known as Oderus Urungus to the bands legion of enslaved followers. Others have come and gone and worn the suits behind the likes of BalSac, Flattus and Beefcake over the years but it is him that has held them together in an operation akin to Lloyd Kaufmann and Troma movies which is the film studio that GWAR would be if they owned one! Speaking of films I have to wonder if they have been sitting down Cuttlefish of Cthulhu held firmly in hand watching classic 70’s movie Flesh Gordon as this time they boldly go in search of ‘Lust In Space’ and no doubt find it!
Musically GWAR have never really shown any stunning capabilities, although I happily pick up all their albums it is only second one ‘Scumdogs Of The Universe’ with great songs like ‘Maggots’ and ‘Sick Of You’ which has really shown any great licks, in fact I could be bold enough to call this particular album a classic. Lately albums such as ‘War Party’ have not changed my opinion and neither is ‘Lust In Space’ going to get more of an accolade than being great fun, but this at times is enough to pull things off. The title opening track sees Oderus a bit down in the dumps cheering up at the prospect of mass slaughter and getting away from earth “fuck this place.” Lyrics are most amusing, you really have to treat this like a metal talking book and listen to things, musically GWAR are pretty thrash laden here with a death backbone drawing you in and plenty of big meaty riffs behind it all. ‘Let Us Slay’ has them at full killing mode, you can close your eyes and see the blood flying with this song decapitating you with scything riffs and beefy backing shouts. Perhaps I have sold them a bit short as it’s obvious the band can play here, it’s just that it is the one thing that normally gets lost by everything else going on.
There are some nasty sounding things on here, ‘The UberKlaw’ no doubt causes maximum carnage when unleashed. ‘Lords And Masters’ veers between drunk punk and thrash and musically provides a really frenzied workout. ‘Metal Metal Land’ sounds like an interesting place, apparently they play hard rock and all the girls suck…. Well you can guess. The clamour of ‘Where Is Zog’ is really great but I want to know what Zog is and where is Gor Gor? So many questions but this is pure pantomime and on stage should be greeted with obvious cries of ‘behind you!’ I am guessing Zog might actually be a big dinosaur judging by roars and cries of terror on the infanticide epic ‘Make A Child Cry’ As for ‘Release The Flies’ there are some stoner licks on this one which was unexpected but works really well.
Perhaps I have enjoyed this album more that others as I have sat down and reviewed it but it does seem more versatile and has plenty going in on it. One complaint is that there is an extra track apparently on the download version; surely it should be the other way round and extra for people who buy the real CD? That aside this should come with a free B movie and a 6 pack for after pub entertainment, can’t wait to see GWAR live again.
http://www.gwar.net
http://www.myspace.com/gwarofficial
