The mighty Gwar, Helmet, and the Dwarves stormed into Tempe, AZ, as part of ‘The Return of Gor Gor Tour.’

October 20th, Tempe Arizona

I arrived just as The Dwarves were preparing, and this long-standing punk band, known for their no-nonsense attitude, still brings the energy. Blag, genuinely one of the kindest individuals you’ll meet, always greets fans with a warm hug and has kept this band thriving over the years. The Dwarves deliver an entertaining, loud, and fast-paced performance, making them the perfect choice for a Monday night to kick off the week. 

Next up was Helmet, and although I’ve been a fan for a long time, I had never seen them live until now, which I realize was a significant oversight. Helmet took the stage without a word and immediately launched into their set. The audience was initially a bit puzzled but quickly caught on as Helmet dove straight into their music. Their performance was impeccable, heavy, and direct. They had everyone in the crowd headbanging throughout their entire set. If you’re not familiar with Helmet, I highly recommend checking them out. 

As the night drew to a close, the stage crew was busy covering the speakers. The crowd was well aware of what was about to happen. It was finally time for the legendary Gwar to unleash chaos at the Marquee Theater. Most fans donned white clothing, ready to be doused in various goo, blood, and other liquids. Gwar wasted no time diving right into their performance. As they launched into ‘The Great Circus Train Disaster,’ one of their characters tore open his chest and began spraying the audience. This night was particularly special as a massive egg was rolled onto the stage—could it be? Yes, it was!!! We all witnessed the birth of Gor Gor, the cutest yet deadliest dinosaur to ever exist. Gwar remains one of the most incredible live acts, proving their greatness every time they take the stage. Unfortunately, the night took a turn when an idiot ran on stage, attempting to access their dressing rooms, which forced the show to come to an abrupt halt. 

SETLIST:

The Great Circus Train Disaster, Filthy Flow, Metal Metal Land, Saddam a Go-Go, Crack in the Egg, Bring Back the Bomb, Hail, Genocide!, Fuck This Place, Womb With a View, Lot Lizard, Bad Bad Men, Mother Fucking Liar, Gor-Gor, Tyrant King, America Must Be Destroyed, Pussy Planet, Rock ‘n’ Roll Never Felt So Good, Sick of You.

Photos and Review by Michael Olivas ~𝕭𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖊𝖉 𝕲𝖔𝖓𝖅𝖔 𝕻𝖍𝖔𝖙𝖔𝖌𝖗𝖆𝖕𝖍