Live music review: Metal madness with GWAR at Radio East
It’s Halloween every day in GWAR land. The Richmond shock metal outfit has been at it with their comically serious hustle since 1984. Despite numerous lineup changes and the untimely passing of David “Oderus Urungus” Brockie, the chaos, vibe, feel, spew, and unhinged madness at their shows remain intact. At Austin’s Radio/East on Thursday night, the long-running spectacle ensured nothing was safe in their mesmerizing presentation.
Lightning delays in the area axed most of the opening acts, with only one of the billed non-headliners getting to play a full set. Toxic Holocaust appeared to be a big draw for the night, with all the black t-shirt wearers donning their merch held to disappointment. While the venue announced a shelter-in-place call for an impending storm that resulted in mere drizzling rain, audience members opted to stay inside the venue and take the time to slurp on their drinks and try the evening special “Gwar Dog,” a hotdog piled high with jalapeños, chili, cheese, and Doritos from the Shortwave food truck located on the venue premises. After some time had passed without a flash of lightning, the show resumed, and the headlining attraction took the reins for their impending bloodbath.
The stagewear of GWAR contains theatrics to the fullest. Each member’s outfit is a complex endeavor, each donning their version of masks, armor, and spikes that contribute to the vibe of grotesque fury. One could describe it as “Undead Vikings,” but the complexities of the traveling warmongers point to influences in the vein of sci-fi, horror, and medieval times. The group is relentless in their comedic slashing of the society at hand. From the kickoff to the end, no one was safe, including a decapitated Elon Musk, who sprayed blood all over an audience that opted to wear white clothing for the occasion.
The party didn’t stop there, with the execution of a Vladimir Putin figure coming into play after a raunchy section asking about the Russian leader’s sexual practices with President Donald Trump. If all of this wasn’t enough, a pregnant Taylor Swift also came to the chopping block, with the band members all taking part in ripping the fetus out of the costumed individual. It’s not bad taste, it’s GWAR. Even an appearance from the current president himself wasn’t off the table for the dismemberment-filled night, much to the audience’s approval with thunderous applause. For a grand finale, the masked swordsmen all took part in slaying what appeared to be a giant dinosaur, a creature that has grown bigger with each unveiling throughout the years of touring.
The setlist pickings touched a variety of the Virginia septet’s discography, covering the old and the new material. While the hits pop up in rotation, GWAR has never stopped creating and holds relevance as a blood-drenched traveling circus. With cuts appearing from 2017’s The Blood of the Gods and as far back as 1988 release Hell-o! and 1990’s Scumdogs of the Universe, the generational appeal of the ever-changing live show brings the freaks out to every tour stop worldwide for over 40 years running.
GWAR continues their US tour throughout the Summer, with tickets available via the band’s website.
All photos by Troy Gonzales
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