GWAR, the alien overlords who redefined shock rock, are marking their 40th anniversary with a special livestream event that promises to be as chaotic and grotesque as their legacy demands. The band will broadcast GWAR: Live From The Hellmouth on August 22, streaming exclusively via Veeps.com. The performance was recorded deep inside The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, adding an underground and otherworldly setting to their signature brand of depravity.
The event kicks off at 9:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. PST, where fans can witness GWAR in their truest form, unhinged, unfiltered, and drenched in blood, bile, and body parts. Tickets are already available here, and each purchase comes with a seven-day unlimited replay. Subscribers to Veeps All Access can watch the show at no additional cost.
For die-hard fans, exclusive GWAR merchandise bundles will be offered, featuring a unique t-shirt and a Super-Soaker, perfect for those wanting a keepsake from this landmark occasion.
Blöthar The Berserker commented on the upcoming stream: “GWAR coming at you live from the very gates of hell. Talk about a shitty gated community, who runs this HOA? We decided to do a gig at a real live hellmouth at the Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee. Not since Buffy The Vampire Slayer has a hellmouth seen so much death and destruction. We kicked the devil’s ass, and now you can watch a video stream of the whole bloody affair!”
This announcement also builds anticipation for the band’s new release, The Return of Gor Gor, which drops July 25. The multimedia project will launch just ahead of GWAR’s upcoming North American headlining tour, where they’ll be joined by Helmet, The Dwarves, and Blood Vulture.
The Return of Gor Gor includes three brand new tracks mixed by Kurt Ballou of Converge and four live songs recorded during the band’s 2024 tour at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia, mixed by Chris Ronan Murphy. The entire release was produced by GWAR and mastered by Alan Douches. Accompanying the music is a 32-page comic that narrates the return of Gor Gor, included with all formats of the release. Vinyl collectors can look forward to a special animated etching of Gor Gor on Side A, with an exclusive semi-translucent deep purple version available here, and a green variant here . A deluxe hardback edition will also be available.
Reflecting on their history, it’s been 40 years since the intergalactic warlords of GWAR emerged from Antarctica with their savage brand of metal and mayhem. Through years of relentless touring and a prolific discography, they’ve cemented their place as shock rock’s ultimate overlords. The current lineup features BälSäc, Beefcake, JiZMak, Blöthar, and the latest addition, the shredder Grodius of the Maximus Clan, as they set out to recover their monstrous pet Gor Gor, who vanished after the death of their iconic frontman Oderus Urungus.
On the new release, Blöthar The Berserker shared some humorous backstory: “The last time I saw Gor Gor, he was just a wee fart dragon. He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato. I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he’s a 20-foot tall trans-species prostitute working a pickle park. Apparently, he’s all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles as a young Dino-American trying to make his way in a cruel world.”
The legacy of GWAR remains intertwined with the memory of Dave Brockie, better known as Oderus Urungus, who passed away in 2014 from accidental heroin toxicity. He was the last remaining founding member of the band and was just 50 years old when he died.
For over four decades, GWAR has entertained and horrified audiences with their outrageous costumes, satirical lyrics, and infamously gory live shows. Performing as alien warriors bent on enslaving and exterminating humanity, the band has carved a distinct and enduring place in heavy music history — and they show no signs of stopping their reign of carnage anytime soon.
