GWAR BRING THE GOR GOR BACK TO LAS VEGAS with HELMET, THE DWARVES and BLOOD VULTURES

Words and photos: Jo Anna Jackson/ Stardogphotos
Oct 31
3 min read

GWAR bought the GOR GOR back to Vegas, and we were there for the destruction. Brooklyn Bowl at the Linq Promenade hosted Your Lords and Masters of the Universe, and it was a blood and GOR-for-all. But we also got punk legends HELMET and THE DWARVES on the lineup, and Blood Vultures kicking off the night.

Blood Vultures gothic metal sound on the lineup was a bit unexpected, but they really connected with the Vegas crowd and it made for a great set. Jordan Old (Two Minutes to Late Night - you have GOT to check this out if you don't know) leads the group as vocalist, in what he called a 'vampire band from NYC', and that seems to fit, with shades of Sisters and HIM mixed int the set. Blood Vultures signed with Pure Noise Records and released their debut full-length album, Die Close, earlier this year, check them out HERE and Bandcamp HERE.

The Dwarves need no real introduction, the legendary shock punk rockers have a 'bad reputation' that proceeds them, and they were not shy about showing it in Vegas. Blag Dalia came out swinging, and the floor got moving during "Everybody's Girl" and "We Must Have Blood", rowdy and rauncy and what this band does best. The Dwarves are always a good time, and the crowd got a real warm up for the night. Download their newest release Keeping It Real at Bandcamp HERE.

Helmet is one of my hardcore metal faves, and they killed it, the mosh started for real out on the main floor, and it was beautiful. Helmet live is like a knockout punch in the face, and you like it. Starting off with "Wilma's Rainbow" warm up, then just blasting with "I Know" and "Blacktop" while the floor spun and the bodies rose to the top. Page Hamilton is a subdued but powerful main figure, while Dan Beeman and Dave Case headbanging front and center and Kyle Stevenson with sticks flying holding it all down. The set really showed the range of their career, high notes for "Milquetoast", "Unsung", and they brought it home with "Meantime".

Hamilton is working on his debut solo album, titled "Companion Peace," with a planned release in 2026. The album is described as "experimental with electronic elements" and not typical punk. More on this and the band HERE.

GWAR got the bloodbath started from the get go, slathering the front rows and blasting "The Great Circus Train Disaster" from The Return of Gor Gor, this years new multimedia release. Fans screamed and reveled in the gore, and the pit turned red while Gwar kept blasting with "Filthy Flow" and "Metal Metal Land", before just all hell breaking loose with "Saddam A Go-Go".

Gwar is celebrating 40 years of debauchery, and the lineup has changed but the Scumdogs of the Universe still thrill and kill - at least theatrically - while continuing to build on the lineage with new songs for this go round. The set featured new "Lot Lizard" and "Tyrant King", mixed in the extensive 17 song extravaganza of a show, with a three song encore he culminated in "Sick of You".

The Return Of Gor Gor release is a multimedia set with a 32-page comic - half new material and half live tracks via Pit Records and Z2 Comics, and chronicles the grown up Gor Gor now out for revenge. The masters of metal performance gore art are back, and 40 years young.