By: Jay Broderick - Well, in reality, it's been eons since the Scumdogs of the Universe were banished to Earth by their master. From a music standpoint however, GWAR released their second album Scumdogs of the Universe 35 years ago today. This was the band's first release on Metal Blade Records, and the worldwide BOHABS (GWAR fans for those not in the know) consider this recording to be their treasured gem. The album's sales would also agree, being the band's best selling record.
So now 35 years later, does it hold up, or does it float off into the cosmos with the quintillion tons of space dust hovering around? Let's revisit:
The album opens with a riff and rhythm that is synonymous with the heavy metal genre. As the lyrics for "The Salaminizer" kick in, the beat immediately gets you banging your head. Lyrically, the track is absurd, and you immediately know what your in for during the next 52 minutes!
It was in 1990 when my buddies and I first saw the music video for "Sick of You" on MuchMusic's "Power Hour". WHAT THE HELL WAS THIS? A group of Aliens with guitars and drums were playing a driving beat. 15 seconds in, the band's leader sings of how worthless you are, and essentially, you make him sick! A scantily clad female alien amongst the Scumdogs shakes her hips. Eventually, the misfits start to beat, and pound on innocent prisoners. Blood begins to flow. And then the beat drops at a minute 20. Orderus Urungus, in an unsettling childlike voice, continues with telling you how he feels about you. The band then ups the anti. Now they mean business! As the fans in the crowd start to climb onto the stage in a trancelike, zombified state, the Scumdogs hammer and club the victims over the head. The wounded drop into an open pit in the stage as Orderus blurts out "HUMAN FILTH!!" The song happens to be the 3rd track on Scumdogs, and it is complete gold! The granddaddy of all GWAR tracks, this one is their typical encore during live shows. The fans love it, and frankly, so do I!!
"Slaughterama" is a rappy, spoken tale, slamming hippies, fashionistas and nazi-punks. The track is narrated by GWAR manager Sleazy P. Martini, who (according to him) is simply going to "Give the people what they want" in a game show of senseless slaughter.
Who doesn't love bag pipes? When it comes to rock and roll, probably the first song that comes to mind is AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top... If You Wanna Rock n Roll", but GWAR's 7th track on Scumdogs needs to be in the conversation. "Horror of Yig" opens with the blurting pipes of Scotland, and it's a really cool intro for the rest of the instruments that slowly build from the 44 second mark. The music eventually comes crashing through, a minute 30 in. This song is the longest, clocking in at 5:20. Again, the beat is pounding, and lyrically, it's not as outlandish as most of the other songs. It makes this one of my favourite tracks on the album.
"Cool Place to Park" closes of GWAR's second full length recording. It's got a much heavier presence than the rest of the album. It opens with a heavy metal SCREAM, and tempo that gives a great surge of energy for the record's finale. With a closing track like this, the album definitely does not fade away into obscurity.
With the power of Metal Blade Records behind them, Scumdogs of the Universe's production value is vastly superior to the band's debut album Hell-O. GWAR will never be spoken about in the same conversation as the best metal bands of all time. And maybe far from it. But the arrangements on this album are sound. The songs are catchy. As I mentioned a couple times, the rhythm and the beat is driving. Their music is simple though, their lyrics are poetic cheese, and it's simply damn fun!! While many of the lyrics may not hold up in today's world, none of this is meant to be taken seriously. Simple fun!!
Track List
Salaminizer
Maggots
Sick of You
Slaughterrama
The Years Without Light
King Queen
Horror of Yig
Vlad the Impaler
Black and Huge
Love Surgery
Death Pod
Sexecutioner
Cool Place to Park
release date - January 8, 1990
GWAR is on the road in 2025 in support of Static-X. The tour gets started on May 23, with GWAR not joining the fray until May 24. The band rolls through Toronto on June 9.
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