Live Review: GWAR at The Belasco

Featured Image Photo Credit: Brett Padelford

In the vast caverns of the Los Angeles music scene, there are always multiple shows competing for attention on any given night. And when massive crowds leave town for festivals like Coachella, it becomes even harder to find a show that can pull together a room full of like-minded people looking to let loose. Still, people from all walks of life will always find their way into spaces where a sense of community forms. That is exactly what GWAR managed to do at their stop at The Belasco Theater. The night was filled with political statements, onstage chaos and an unrelenting spray of bodily fluids aimed straight at the crowd.

When GWAR announced their “Gor-Gor Strikes Back” tour back in December 2025, it came as no surprise that dates across the U.S. quickly sold out. The band has been a staple in the shock rock scene for decades, building a devoted cult following of metalheads and curious newcomers alike. Their Los Angeles stop proved that even with a quarter of the tour still ahead, the energy and anticipation from their fans remains just as intense.

There is something striking about seeing a band like GWAR take over a venue like the Belasco. The theater’s gothic interior feels almost sacred, with its cathedral-like design standing in sharp contrast to the band’s chaotic and irreverent energy. That tension between elegance and disorder created the perfect setting for what was about to unfold.

The night kicked off around 7:30 p.m. when King Parrot took the stage. The Australian grindcore outfit wasted no time setting the tone. Drummer Todd Hansen came out swinging and delivered relentless, high-speed rhythms that felt almost inhuman. Frontman Matthew Young matched that energy effortlessly. He commanded the crowd with chants, screamed lyrics and even sprayed water into the audience. It felt like a warning of what was to come.

One line in particular cut through the chaos. “When the going gets tough, you can go and get fucked!” It was blunt, aggressive and oddly cathartic. It captured the spirit of the night. Sometimes a show like this is not just about the music. It is about release.

The momentum carried into the next set as Soulfly took the stage around 8:20 p.m. Their energy hit differently. It was still aggressive, but heavier in tone. Drummer Roy Mayorga drove the set with pounding intensity. His kick drum echoed through the venue and into the chest of everyone in the room. Frontman Max Cavalera commanded the crowd with a seasoned presence and connected with fans who were more than ready for what came next.

By the time the stage was cleared again, anticipation had fully taken over. A dramatic, almost Star Wars-like monologue filled the room as a character ranted about world domination. It was theatrical, ridiculous and completely immersive. Moments later, that same character was killed onstage. Blood sprayed as GWAR made their entrance and immediately pulled the audience into their world.

“Fuck This Place” kicked things off, and from that moment forward there was no buildup. It was full chaos. GWAR does not ease into a performance. They drop you straight into it. The band stormed the stage in grotesque, larger-than-life costumes. The bass player wore a spiked, tire-like helmet that made him look more like a war machine than a musician.

As the set moved into “Crack in the Egg,” the spectacle escalated. A dinosaur-like creature hatched onstage and immediately bit off a character’s arm. Streams of fluid sprayed into the crowd. It was absurd, violent and impossible to look away from.

One of the most pointed moments of the night came when an ICE-inspired character entered the stage. It was a clear jab at homeland security. The crowd responded immediately with loud boos and fully understood the satire. As the character attempted to assert control, GWAR fired back with the line, “We’re from outer space, so we’re illegal aliens.” The joke landed perfectly. Within moments, the character was cut in half and blood sprayed everywhere as the crowd roared.

Throughout the set, the band leaned into their confrontational humor. At times it felt uncomfortable. At other times it was ridiculous. It was always intentional. Their performance lives in that space where satire and shock collide. A bizarre puppet segment pushed those boundaries even further and added to the unpredictability of the night.

The chaos continued with the introduction of Gor-Gor, the band’s infamous dinosaur character. At one point, Gor-Gor was framed as a figure that would bring honor to the Catholic Church. The narrative quickly spiraled into another confrontation, this time involving a priest. What followed was a surreal and theatrical battle that blended religion, politics, and absurdity into one sequence.

Musically, the band never let the energy drop. Tracks like “Tormentor,” “Hate Love Songs” and “Saddam a Go-Go” kept the pit alive. Still, the real centerpiece was always the spectacle unfolding onstage. Every song felt like another chaotic chapter.

Even during the encore, GWAR refused to slow down. “Mother Fucking Liar” kept the aggression high. Their unexpected cover of “Pink Pony Club: by Chappell Roan stood out as one of the most surreal moments of the night. Hearing a modern pop anthem twisted through GWAR’s chaotic style felt strange at first, but it ultimately made sense.

They closed with “Sick of You.” The crowd was drenched, exhausted and completely immersed in the madness.

What makes a GWAR show stand out is not just the music. It is the full commitment to the spectacle. Every moment is pushed to the extreme. Every idea is taken just far enough to make the audience react. In a city filled with polished performances, GWAR offers something raw, chaotic and unapologetically loud. And sometimes, chaos hits harder than perfection ever could.

Setlist:

1. Fuck This Place
2. Crack in the Egg
3. Eighth Lock
4. Have You Seen Me?
5. Tormentor
6. Hate Love Songs
7. Lot Lizard
8. Saddam a Go-Go
9. I’m in Löve (With a Deåd Dog)
10. Metal Metal Land
11. El Presidente
12. Tyrant King
13. Hail, Genocide!
14. Gor-Gor

Encore:

1. Mother Fucking Liar
2. Pink Pony Club (Chappell Roan cover)
3. Sick of You