Fans were lined up outside Wally’s in Hampton, NH as they waited to get into the venue to see Gwar and get to experience the high energy, theatrical show that will leave them drenched in all things liquid.
First band of the evening was Squid Pisser. Known for their unapologetically aggressive style and experimental noise-rock sounds, Squid Pisser delivered a set that was as much a spectacle as an experience.
As they launched into their set, the crowd was immediately swept into the band’s powerful wall of sound—dense with dissonant guitar riffs, heavy distortion, and relentless drumming. Squid Pisser’s lead singer pushed the limits of vocal intensity, often shifting between guttural growls, unhinged screams, and spoken-word passages that felt equal parts haunting and confrontational and in your face.
While Squid Pisser’s music isn’t for everyone, their energy and commitment to pushing boundaries make them a must-see for fans of experimental and extreme music. For anyone looking for a visceral, cathartic concert experience, Squid Pisser delivered a memorable night that left ears ringing and spirits charged.
The next band of the evening was Swedish black metal band from Stockholm, Dark Funeral, founded by guitarists Blackmoon and Lord Ahriman in 1993. They emerged during the second wave of black metal. Their lyrical themes have traditionally pertained to Satanism and anti-Christianity.
For fans of black metal, Dark Funeral’s show was an unholy spectacle that reaffirmed their reputation as masters of the genre. With their uncompromising sound and dark theatrics, Dark Funeral brought their signature intensity, transporting fans into a haunting, infernal world.
From the moment the lights dimmed, the atmosphere grew tense. Thick fog and dim, blue-hued lighting cloaked the stage as the band members emerged, adorned in corpse paint and battle gear, setting the tone for a night of pure, raw black metal. The crowd was immediately swept into the relentless force of their music—an overwhelming assault of blast beats, tremolo-picked guitar riffs, and blistering vocal growls from lead singer Heljarmadr.
The setlist was a powerful mix of classic tracks and songs from their recent album, creating a dynamic blend of nostalgia and new fire. Dark Funeral balanced brutality with atmosphere, evoking the sinister mood that defines their music. The slower, ominous moments were as gripping as the faster sections, showing the band’s ability to create suspense and tension even amid unyielding ferocity.
This concert was a reminder of why Dark Funeral has remained a staple in black metal for decades. For fans of the genre, their live show is an unforgettable experience, filled with unrelenting energy, technical skill, and dark mystique. Dark Funeral continues to carry the torch of black metal, and their live performance is a testament to their legacy.
Finally, the band everyone came to see was about to hit the stage. American heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984, Gwar, composed of and operated by a frequently rotating line-up of musicians, artists, and filmmakers collectively known as Slave Pit Inc. Since the death of frontman Dave Brockie in 2014, the collective has continued recording and performing without any of its founding artists or musicians.
Identified by their distinctively grotesque costumes, Gwar’s core thematic and visual concept revolves around an elaborate science fiction-themed mythology which portrays the band members as barbaric interplanetary warriors, a narrative which serves as the basis for all of the band’s albums, live shows and media. With over-the-top violent, sexual, and scatological humor typically incorporating social and political satire, Gwar has attracted both acclaim and controversy for its music and stage shows, the latter of which notoriously showcase enactments of graphic violence that result in the audience being sprayed with fake blood, urine, and semen. Such stagecraft regularly leads Gwar to be labeled a “shock rock” band by the media.
Since its formation, Gwar has released 15 studio albums, two live albums, and numerous singles among other recordings, and has sold over 820,000 records in the United States. Fueled largely by the controversies surrounding their concerts, Gwar experienced brief mainstream notoriety during the first half of the 1990s, receiving regular airplay on MTV as well as frequent in-character guest appearances on daytime talk shows, satirizing the topics of censorship and media violence. Though the band’s mainstream popularity declined by the end of the 1990s, Gwar has retained a dedicated cult following. The band’s extensive videography consists of both live recordings and long-form feature films, most notably 1992’s Phallus in Wonderland.
Tonight’s show was different then most of their concerts. They were missing front man Blöthar the Berserker. They stated that he was in the bathroom taking a sh**. This meant that the songs were to be sung by all the other members of the band as they each took turns with the vocals.
The setlist was a mix of GWAR’s classics and newer material, hitting fan-favorites like “Sick of You,” “Bring Back the Bomb,” and “Let Us Slay.” The band’s mix of shredding guitars and relentless drums never faltered, providing a gritty soundtrack to the madness.
But as with any GWAR show, the music was only part of the spectacle. The night’s antics included theatrical battles with larger-than-life alien overlords, political figures (such as Kamala Harris, Trump, and Obama), and a host of grotesque puppets. Each scene ended in a crimson spray over the first several rows of the crowd, known affectionately as the “splash zone.” Fans eagerly wore ponchos or, in some cases, braved the splatter in white shirts to take home a scarlet souvenir.
GWAR’s commitment to detail in their costumes, props, and special effects created an immersive experience. The lighting was dark and ominous, with bursts of strobe effects enhancing moments of chaos. Fog machines and eerie backlighting transformed The Fillmore into GWAR’s dystopian, alien-invaded stage. The audience loved every moment, chanting and fist-pumping with the band, reveling in the absurdity of it all.
The pit was intense yet friendly, filled with longtime GWAR followers and newcomers alike. By the end, drenched and exhilarated, the crowd had collectively shared an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience.
GWAR’s show is a rare blend of theater and heavy metal, a brutal yet humorously grotesque reminder of why live music remains an unparalleled experience. Whether you’re a fan of their music or simply intrigued by the spectacle, a GWAR concert is a must-see. It’s not just a show; it’s an event that leaves you laughing, headbanging, and slightly sticky—all part of the GWAR experience.
Gwar
Website Facebook X Instagram
Dark Funeral
Website Facebook X Instagram