Concert Reviews
GWAR’S “Black Death Rager World Tour”
BRINGING HEAVY METAL AND INTERGALACTIC DOMINATION TO THE BURGH’
GWAR WITH CROBOT AND NEKROGOBLIKON
@MR. SMALLS – PITTSBURGH, PA -SEPTEMBER 16th, 2022
Photos and Review by Jason Sealand
How does one prepare themselves for an Intergalactic Invasion of apocalyptic proportions that spews bodily fluids and killer heavy metal riffs? That was the question of the night as I walked around the crowd at Mr. Smalls. Fans of new and old, piled in while giving up their best GWAR stories of shows from the past. Some HAB’S were more prepared than others. I myself have been to a few heavy metal invasions from our intergalactic overlords… I first jumped in the pit around 1997 at The Agora Ballroom in Cleveland. Halloween show if my memory serves correct. It’s been a while though and I wanted to see what the new album, The New Dark Ages was about and the line up of bands had me stoked as well. Let’s just say this assignment did not disappoint!
The night started for me as Crobot took the stage and laid out some uncompromising riff laden high energy rock and roll. The crowd seemed pleased, and I can attest, this is a band you do not want to miss live. Their newest album FEEL THIS released in June is some of their best offerings yet.
After a quick set change, I got the feeling that the next band Nekrogoblikon had landed and brought some fans in tow for support of their latest album, The Fundamental Slimes and Humours, released April 22’. The stage was surrounded, and the buzz was heavy. When the first chords were struck and John Goblikon hit the stage and laid out his best Jesus Christ pose adorned in his Sunday’s best white dress shirt and chinos, the crowd went insane. My second time catching this melodic death metal 6 piece. Yes, 6 guys on the stage at the same time at Mr. Smalls. It is indeed possible and Nekrogoblikon pulled it off and took it to the next level. Some highlights from their set were “Bones” and “The Magic Spider”. It’s been a few months since my ears have been so joyfully pummeled into submission and I feared that GWAR had nowhere to go after this set. But Nekrogoblikon did what they came to do, and the night was not over yet…
The crowd without a doubt needed a break after this set and as soon as it did you could feel the anticipation build for what was to come. I mean, it’s one thing to hear GWAR’s music on a record. It’s another thing entirely to see them live and experience the guts, blood, gore, and good times that is had. I myself wasn’t sure on how they would start out. The venue was covered in black plastic and fans adorned in white t-shirts and goggles. I was just hoping they would give me and my camera a break and give me the first song to get some shots in before I fell victim to the slaughter.
This was not the case, as a GWAR “fan” that came on stage spewing his hatred for the new version of the band saying they aren’t as good as they used to be. The lead singer, Blöthar the Berserker, faced the “fan” with a giant sword in hand. With one foul swoop, the annoying character was beheaded, and fake blood gushed all over the front row including myself. The band fired up the sonic wave of destruction and laid into their first song of the night, titled “The Cutter” off their new album The New Dark Ages.
I retreated and escaped most of the blood bath and tried to regroup and find a better perch to shoot the band from. I just didn’t know a few minutes later I would be on the side stage almost at arms distance from one of the greatest metal bands in existence.
This 17-song set was most impressive and had a good mix of new and old. The Intergalactic Overloads of Gwar landed in the Burgh’ and slayed most righteously as they enslaved the lot of us with their heavy metal riffage and gore. I’m blown away by how they circled back the ships and landed with such a great album. Check it out here: The New Dark Ages and companion graphic novel “GWAR In The Duoverse of Absurdity”, in which the band are sucked off into an alternate universe to do battle with their evil twins and the specter of rogue technology. while you’re at it check out their documentary This is GWAR .
Signing out from GWAR’s “Black Death Rager World Tour” in the Burgh. Until next time keep it Heavy and stay Metal! \m/
GWAR SETLIST:
THE CUTTER 22′
THE ISSUE OF TISSUE (SPACECAKE) 94′
BRING BACK THE BOMB 04′
NEW DARK AGE 22′
MOTHER FUCKING LIAR 22′
RISE AGAIN 22′
BORED TO DEATH 22′
SADDAM A GO GO 94′
RATCATCHER 22′
WOMB WITH A VIEW 04′
BLACK AND HUGE 88′
VENOM OF THE PLATYPUS 22′
BERSERKER MODE 22′
U AINT SHIT 88′
NONE BUT THE BRAVE 95′
SICK OF YOU 90′
FUCK THIS PLACE 17′
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Marty Friedman is on tour right now with his Live Drama 2025 and he brought Patrick Kennison and Nikki Stringfield on tour with them.
Nikki and Patrick opened up the show with an amazing acoustic set, I’ve got to see both of them many times with their other bands but this was the first time seeing them perform together and it was magical. I loved the way they not only complemented each other vocally with harmonies and more but just the feeling of love on the stage as well. We got to hear some great songs like “Where Demons Lie” and “Numbered” which is about addiction issues and dedicated to Layne Staley. We also got to hear an Iron Maiden cover “Aces High”.
Marty and his band came out on stage and if you’re into high energy and some mind blowing shreds, this is a tour for you. I love that Marty’s band is backed by some amazing Japanese musicians and probably one of my favorite drummers Chargeee, (he’s Insane while playing the drums: he’s like the live action version of Animal from the muppets)
I loved that Marty is from the area and was talking to his band mates about it and the laurel area. There was one time when Marty’s guitar player Naoki played the lead that Marty was supposed to play then they had an argument all in Japanese (the one time I wish subtitles was a real thing) the other band mates gave him the finger then Marty started to shred.
I just the energy that’s on the stage it doesn’t stop and it’s so infectious. The crowd at rams head on the stage were in full capacity for the show and ready to rock and roll with Marty.
We got to hear some of the softer more romantic side of Marty and the band when they played a few songs off the “Drama” album which was fun as well.
It’s insane to watch someone like Marty shred in a small intimate venue, you really get to see how amazing he really is and the passion he has for his craft.
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Apocalyptica is on tour now with Nita Strauss on their PLAYS METALLICA VOL 2.
Nita opened the show and as always put on an amazing show, it’s fun to see Nita on these solo tour when she’s not touring with Alice Cooper. You get to see her shine even more and just put a clinic on with shredding on the guitar. I’ve seen Nita a few times but this night was a little extra special, she brought out Kasey Karlsen of the band Deadlands out to sing a few songs which was great cause normally there’s no vocals at her shows.
This was my first time being able to not only see Apocalyptica but also photograph them. I’ve always been a huge fan of their music and loved the 2 Metallica albums as well. I figured this was more than likely the only way I’ll get to hear Metallica play is with Apocalyptica playing them.
We got to hear an amazing mix of songs throughout Metallica’s career. Opening up with “Ride the Lightning” and “Enter Sandman” you knew you were gonna rock out.
The band is amazing, such awesome and jaw dropping skills on those Cellos. There’s something magical about musicians that come from Helsinki and the Finland area. Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen and Perttu Kivilaakso are insanely talented but also demand the stage so well and bring in that comedy as well.
We also got to hear songs like “Creeping Death”, “The Call of Ktulu” “St Anger”, “Blackened” “Master of Puppets”, “Nothing else Matters” and ending the night with “Seek and Destroy” and “One”. This was such a great night in a cool setting at Warner Theater in DC. I loved the atmosphere and the blending of not only music with classical and metal but also the crowd was as diverse as well.
If you get a chance to go out and see this tour, you must you won’t be disappointed.
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ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN THE POWERS TO BE GATHER FOR THE MOST BAD ASS OF TIME. YES ITS THAT TIME FOR ANOTHER NIGHTMARE AFTER XMAS.
OF COURSE YOU HAVE SPELLBOOK AND WRATH OF TYPHON ON THE BILL, AND HEADLINING PRINCE DIAMOND (This year doing an all Mercyful Fate set) WE ALSO GOT SABBATH WARLOCK AND ZAUBEREI AS WELL.
EMPIRE EXTREME also did another interview with Wrath of Typhon and also an interview with Nate of Spellbook.
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