Lust in Space

The first half of GWAR’s 25th anniversary celebration, 2009’s Lust in Space is typically seen by fans as a return to form. After leaving DRT Entertainment following the release of 2006’s Beyond Hell, the band returned to their “home label”, Metal Blade Records, to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Also returning to the fray were bassist Casey Orr (Beefcake The Mighty) and fan-favorite villain Cardinal Syn. Lust in Space also features the “debut” of a new villain, Sawborg Destructo, portrayed by longtime member Matt Maguire. Despite being pictured in the album’s booklet, appearing on the corresponding tour, and a passing mention in the album’s digital-only bonus track (a first for GWAR), Sawborg himself wouldn’t actually appear on an album until 2017.

The album’s story involves GWAR hijacking a Scumdog spaceship (the Scumship) and finally leaving Earth. While they travel through space and plan interplanetary escapades, they are met by old foe Cardinal Syn, who attempts to destroy GWAR once and for all. After seeking guidance from an old Scumdog general (who proves to be useless), GWAR finally defeats Syn and readies themselves to conquer the galaxy. On the album, they promise to routinely return to Earth to keep humanity “up to date with war”, while on the tour they begrudgingly return to Earth after remembering it’s the only known planet in the universe that has crack cocaine.