So when former Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan and Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli combined forces to form The Gutter Twins, it was inevitable their debut album, Saturnalia, would rouse curiosity among alt-rock lovers.

Musically The Gutter Twins stretch from dark folk to screaming riffs with dark dance beats. The Stations is a brooding affair, with frantic, violin-like guitar and prophetic, sinister vocals: 'Oh children, this is when they come to take you away'.

Idle Hands is a heavy, soaring, hellish number where Lanegan's famous deep vocals excel. Later in the song Dulli joins Lanegan on singing parts, producing stereo screams like an apocalyptic, riff-led gospel choir.

Each to Each fuses dance beats and delicate guitar plucking – a world away from the chaos of Idle Hands.

The Gutter Twins' musical breadth is not surprising considering Lanegan's musical curriculum vitae, which name checks the sultry songstress Isobel Campbell, Belle and Sebastian, PJ Harvey, Kurt Cobain and Guns 'N' Roses' Duff McKagan.

"Collaborating for me is what keeps me interested in music," says Lanegan. Collaboration likewise remains an important factor for Dulli, whose collaborators include alt-country star Lucinda Williams.

But despite the pair's fate-like compatibility, The Gutter Twins were borne out of a rumour. "In 2003 I got a call from a group from an Italian journalist asking me about The Gutter Twins," says Dulli. "I said, 'What's that'? to which the journalist replied "A group with you and Mark Lanegan."

Dulli then contacted Lanegan about the so-called group and Lanegan said: "Oh yeah, we're gonna make a record and it's going to be callled The Gutter Twins."

The Gutter Twins are appearing at the Leadmill on Wednesday.

MORE:
Listings Guide
Arts Guide
Film Guide
Theatre and Events
Music Guide