Spotlight: The Gutter Twins

March 1, 2008 at 11:15PM

THE GUTTER TWINS Saturday: Two of the most compelling frontmen of the early-'90s alt-rock boom, Afghan Whigs howler Greg Dulli, left, and Screaming Trees growler Mark Lanegan, have reinvented themselves several times but have never forsaken their gloomy grunge pasts. So you can imagine how dark and powerful they sound working together as the Gutter Twins. Their debut album for Sub Pop Records, "Saturnalia," which comes out Tuesday, is brimming with eerie guitars, brooding piano parts and dramatic strings (comparisons to the National's "Boxer" are fitting). Plus, the lyrics offer more demon-wrestling than a reading of the Old Testament. Don't expect much of a party vibe at their local debut, in other words. Los Angeles buzz band Great Northern opens. (7:30 p.m. Sat. $12-$15. First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388.)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

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