Review: Happy GWAR-O-WEEN!!
GWAR is a name that sparks many different topics. Formed in 1984 by the late Dave Brockie (A.K.A Oderus), it is still absolutely amazing that this band has managed to continue on despite the passing of the former frontman. 34 years later, it’s great that GWAR is still absolutely relevant. Blothar (Mike Bishop) now fronts the band, who at one point also was GWAR’s bassist. With 14 main albums and tons of controversy under their belt, GWAR is not afraid to take a stab at anything. Not for the squeamish or faint of heart at all.
But anyway, I did not want to miss the second edition of the GWAROWEEN. When I went last year Ghoul, Doyle (The Misfits) & U.S Bastards were on the bill and now this year it returned to Irving Plaza, funny enough, on Halloween again, this time with Miss May I & American Sharks rounding out the final lineup. What a shame Hatebreed could not be on the NYC date, but whenever GWAR comes to your town, you do not want to miss out on that experience. This is truly a super mixed bill featuring three incredibly diverse bands.
Oh GWAR, your insanity never ceases to amaze me. Getting poured in blood by a bunch of dudes in wacky costumes is legit the most satisfying thing you can do. GWAR’s mosh pits are like whirlwinds of chaos. No matter where you’re standing, be prepared to be tossed around like a rag doll. The insane amount of carnage that takes place during a GWAR set makes them one of the most chaotic live bands in the Heavy Metal genre. Hearing the classics like “Sick of You”, “Immortal Corruptor”,”Womb with a View” and “Saddam-A-Go-Go” take you back to a time period when Metal had the hardest edge in history. GWAR’s take on hating political figures along with the entire world is always so much fun to see musically. Let’s not forget the newer GWAR hits like “Fuck This Place” & “Viking Death Machine” are wildly entertaining. It’s always incredibly joyful to see this band bring Irving Plaza down to its knees. GWAR’s take on Metal is probably just as important as the pioneers Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motörhead and Metallica started with their evolution on the standard Heavy Metal sound. They were the first band that held a massive “F**k You” perspective to literally everything. No band like GWAR has ever come before them. Their live performances truly show that. Seeing that band decapitate worldly beings on stage is a true sight to behold. Also as a tiny intermission in between the mosh pit chaos, seeing the band make fun of the media like Fox News or CNN by putting in all these joke News headlines that show hatred against GWAR is pure comedy at its finest. Not only do you get a crazy metal show, but you get a class act comedy sketch.
Miss May I is definitely a band that is perfectly fit for a tour like this. These guys have been releasing albums for nearly ten years now and they’ve toured with so many incredible bands like Metal moguls Killswitch Engage, Motionless in White, Parkway Drive, Five Finger Death Punch and much more. Having done Mayhem Festival with Avenged Sevenfold and three portions of the Vans Warped Tour, no matter what crowd Miss May I plays for, there is never a dull moment. Seeing everyone in the band come out as The Avengers from Marvel was pure Halloween bliss for me. Pulling “Deathless” and “Shadows Inside” out of the bag during their set, Miss May I aims to give you a small throwback to the days of Bullet for my Valentine & All That Remains. “Lost in the Grey” & “I.H.E” are a couple of the most inspiring songs by Miss May I that invokes the powerful essence of Metal. Hearing mega hits like “Relentless Chaos” & “Hey Mister” just make you want to enter the mosh pit at full force. As a bonus, NYC got to hear “Forgive & Forget” live. Blistering breakdowns and super harsh Metalcore vocals are Miss May I’s trademark.
American Sharks is a band I checked out right before this tour started. It’s great that this tour package really went all out to make sure that no two bands are alike, variety is the spice of life after all. The sound that American Sharks aims for is pure Hard Rock at its finest, in a very interesting way. With many grooves that feel like something that wouldn’t be out of place on a Baroness or The Sword album. Screeching vocals and fuzzy guitars are the main aim for a band like this. If you want your rock music to have that tight edge that has been missing from so many bands that try to attempt a sound like this, American Sharks will truly satisfy. Be on the lookout for this band.
This GWAR show is more than just a celebration on a Halloween. It is honestly, a massive ritual for many of us. Not too many bands spray their fans in blood through their “body parts”. After all, they are truly one of the most celebrated underground metal bands on the planet for very good reason; They are the masters of shock value. Dave Brockie boldly created GWAR’s universe all those years ago and I’m extremely pleased it’s still going strong.
-Phil Ryabkin
