Step into Gwar’s thrash compactor

Heavy metal is no laughing matter, which is why some find it so easy to laugh at.

If there's a criticism of the genre, it's that at times, it can take itself a wee bit too seriously considering that there are some bands of this ilk with loincloths in their wardrobes.

This is where Gwar comes in.

This long-running, grotesquely costumed and surprisingly witty thrash troupe is the Gallagher of metal, with a messy stage show where likenesses of sitting presidents, the pope and others get splattered in place of watermelons.

On their current tour, Gwar is bringing along a couple of similarly fun-minded thrashers in party hard crossover throwbacks Municipal Waste and theatrical, robot battling Carcass devotees Ghoul, who wear burlap sacks on theirs heads and hail from the land of Creepsylvania (otherwise known as Oakland, Calif.).

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.