Warehouse Live Midtown became ground zero for a night of raw chaos and metal mayhem as GWAR, Dark Funeral, and Squid Pisser brought their ferocious energy to the venue. The packed house buzzed with anticipation for a lineup as eclectic as it was brutal and each act left its own indelible mark on the evening.

    Squid Pisser:  Anarchic Openers with Experimental Fury

    From the moment they strike their first note, Squid Pisser, from LA, pulls listeners into a world of unrelenting sonic mayhem. Tracks often feature abrasive, distorted guitars paired with frenetic drumming and guttural, almost otherworldly vocals. It’s a cocktail of noise-punk insanity, dripping with raw energy and a refusal to conform to traditional song structures. Their ability to blend aggressive punk roots with avant-garde experimentation sets them apart in a genre that often celebrates chaos.

    One standout aspect of Squid Pisser is their live presence. Known for their unpredictable stage antics and intense, immersive performances, they don't just play music they create an experience. Their show felt like a descent into a high-octane fever dream, leaving audiences exhilarated and slightly disoriented.

    Their set was short but incendiary, leaving some in the crowd bewildered while others embraced the anarchic spirit. Their DIY punk ethos and frenetic energy set a perfect tone for what was to come.

    Dark Funeral: A Black Metal Inferno

    Next up the Swedish black metal legends Dark Funeral descended upon the stage with their signature brand of icy, relentless power. Clad in black leather and corpse paint, the band unleashed a torrent of blast beats and tremolo-picked riffs that enveloped the crowd in a dark, atmospheric haze. Vocalist Heljarmadr’s piercing shrieks on tracks like “Where Shadows Forever Reign” and “Unchain My Soul” were hauntingly commanding, while Lord Ahriman’s guitar work brought a menacing precision.

    Dark Funeral stands out as one of the enduring titans of the black metal genre, delivering their signature brand of unrelenting extremity for nearly three decades. Hailing from Sweden, the band has cemented its legacy by embodying the grim essence of the second wave of black metal while pushing its sonic and thematic boundaries.

    The audience, now fully immersed in a sea of devil horns and headbanging, fed off Dark Funeral’s sinister energy. Their laser-sharp execution turned Warehouse Live Midtown into an unholy temple, proving why they remain titans of the genre.

    GWAR: Intergalactic Metal Mayhem

    When GWAR finally stormed the stage, the room exploded in cheers as their monstrous, blood-soaked spectacle began. With towering costumes, grotesque puppets and buckets of fake blood (and other fluids), GWAR transformed the venue into an alien battleground.

    Opening with “El Presidente,” the band immediately whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Blöthar the Berserker led the charge, bellowing through tracks like “Saddam a Go-Go” and “Bring Back the Bomb” with feral charisma. The band’s satirical storytelling was in full force, mocking everything from modern politics to pop culture through elaborate battles and outrageous skits.

    Highlights included a brutal fight scene with a giant space monster and a hysterically grotesque decapitation of a caricatured political figure, sending fountains of gore across the front rows. Fans came prepared with ponchos, but even those who weren’t drenched in “blood” seemed thrilled to be part of the carnage.

    GWAR isn’t just a band, they’re a cultural phenomenon that defies conventional description. Whether you're a diehard fan or a curious onlooker attending a GWAR concert is an unforgettable experience—a mix of primal catharsis, absurd theater and unrelenting metal. Last night’s show proved that after decades of debauchery, GWAR’s reign of intergalactic terror is far from over. Scumdogs of the Universe, HAIL!

    The Verdict:

    The triple bill of Squid Pisser, Dark Funeral and GWAR offered something for every kind of metal fan. From Squid Pisser’s experimental grind to Dark Funeral’s blackened ferocity and GWAR’s intergalactic insanity, it was a night that celebrated the diversity and spectacle of extreme music. Warehouse Live Midtown may never be the same and neither will anyone lucky enough to witness the chaos.