(Here's the preview story for the GWAR concert, which appeared in yesterday's Spokesman-Review.)

Some bands play heavy metal, but with GWAR it's more like "Heavy Metal," as in the adult animated sci-fi fantasy film adaptation of the magazine of the same name.

A rotating roster that appears dressed as mutated intergalactic demon overlord scumdogs spawned from the pit of tormented deathpiggies junked up on mindworms who feed on the fear and nightmares of their host... or something to that effect... GWAR is pretty much as close as anyone gets to a living incarnation of the Heavy Metal movie from the early 80s.

Dating back almost as far as those cult classic cartoons, GWAR has been spewing humanjuice on audiences whilst raging on with twisted tales of universal conquest, ultra violence, sextremities, and political irreverence.

It's grotesque thrash metal, it's Grammy nominated, juvenile, crude, completely over the top, funny as hell, and an absolute mess onstage that will stain your clothes and your soul.

It's anything but serious and GWAR is coming back to Spokane with a new album in tow, a new Gimmick to add the arsenal and plenty of hype.

GWAR marks its first quarter century of existence with its 11th studio album, "Lust In Space," released in August. And the band has stated in recent interviews that plans are in the works for another album to be released in the coming months, accompanied by a companion piece box set.

GWAR is also pushing a promotional with Dean Guitars where fans can enter to win a one of four GWAR "painted, decorated, desecrated and autographed" Dean MLX guitars by posting a picture of themselves on GWAR's Myspace holding a copy of the new album, a concert ticket to one of GWAR's current U.S. tour shows, and/or a Dean Guitar.

Winners are announced, and subsequently sacrificed, on Dec. 15.

GWAR appears tonight at The Knitting Factory Concert House, 919 W. Sprague Ave. Tickets are $20, through TicketsWest.