GWAR - review added 21st August 2009
Album Review: Lust In Space (2009)
For fans of: Punk Thrash... and pretty costumes...
So, when did GWAR get good then? I can't claim to have heard loads of their work. America Must Be Destroyed was brilliant, more as an experience than a technical indulgence. We Kill Everything was so bad I swear five monkeys with a selection of toy instruments could have sounded better.
Both those albums put silliness before musicianship. A.M.B.D. was superb anyway, but Lust In Space seems to manage it on genuine talent... something I thought I'd never say about this group of middle aged monster geeks with a fetish for home made costumes and the spraying of audiences in fake blood.
GWAR - according to their website an elite group of chaos warriors banished to the most insignificant planet in the universe…the seething mudball known as Earth, now dedicated to the destruction of the human race and the eradication of existence itself - are fronted by the larger than... a goat, Oderus Urungus, a being with an ego matched in size only by the heft of his broadsword and the girth of his cuttlefish, apparently. He is joined by Balsac The Jaws Of Death on guitar, Flattus Maximus on guitar, Jizmak Da Gusha on drums and Beefcake The Mighty on bass.
'Oderus' has always had a fantastic voice. His doesn't sing as such, rather he shouts his strangely distinguished voice with biblical machismo in the general direction of the microphone. He's one of those vocalists you recognize instantly whatever he does and, songwriting aside, he invariably sounds bloody excellent. The real difference on Lust In Space is the sound of the guitars and rhythm section. Be in no doubt parts of this album are phenomenally heavy. The album contains some of the best heavy thrash I've heard for ages. The punk edge keeps the sound honest, but there's plenty to head bang like a freak to.
The songs don't reach the final rung of the classic-status ladder, but there's a consistency to the work that shocks. The title track kicks things off with a moody monologue from Oderus. The sound is heavy, dramatic and, whilst lacking anything approaching a massive hook, it manages to be memorable for good, not bad reasons. 'Let Us Slay' is even heavier. It's a mid-paced track with plenty of phat guitar work and a battle-hardened rhythm section.
'Damnation Under God' is a punky metalcore track with more power chords than you can shake a 1000W speaker at. It almost heads in the direction of Deicide at points, and the chugging section towards the end is just phenomenal. 'Lords And Masters' is a straight ahead punk metal song with a simplicity in its heart and a firework up its bottom. 'Metal Metal Land' is a fun track with a silly anthemic nature that could translate well to the stage show.
'The Price Of Peace' is an good song that gets even better when the thumping guitar section kicks up its heels in the middle and runs for the horizon. 'Where Is Zog' is a cross between a death metal track and something from Sesame Street. It has some great moments and is arguably the most memorable track on the album. 'Release The Flies' is a blistering track with a heaviness you'd need a tank transporter to move. Final track 'Parting Shot' is okay, if a few percentage points behind the album's best.
Stupid album cover, very silly band, mad costumes, cool album title, great singing, brilliant rhythm section, amazing guitars. As good as America Must Be Destroyed? Nope. The songs aren't in the same league for catchiness... but the performances are miles better. I still have no idea how they can play this well when they're wearing those crazy outfits though!
Check out... The guitar work. Sooooo heavy and such a nice tone.
Track List:
01. Lust In Space
02. Let Us Slay
03. Damnation Under God
04. The UberKlaw
05. Lords And Masters
06. Metal Metal Land
07. The Price Of Peace
08. Where Is Zog
09. Make A Child Cry
10. Release The Flies
11. Parting Shot
Label: Label: AFM Records
Artist's website(s): GWAR , MySpace | Facebook
