To close out the first week of November, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, welcomed the unfiltered insanity, theatrical gore, and unapologetic chaos of GWAR. Joined by X-Cops, Mac Sabbath, and Midnight, the legendary intergalactic metal warriors descended upon the Carolina coast, turning another corner of the country into a blood-soaked spectacle that left absolutely no one untouched. The night was a collision of outrageous theatrics, dark humor, relentless riffs, and larger-than-life personalities. Each band brought something entirely different to the stage, building an atmosphere that only grew more chaotic as the evening progressed.
The night kicked off with X-Cops, a project featuring select members of GWAR, whose lineup made it clear that everyone in attendance would be expected to remain upstanding, law-abiding citizens. At least until the officers themselves got involved. Having grown up in a family full of public safety professionals, I particularly appreciated the attention to detail throughout their costumes, props, and stage setup. Those little touches made the entire performance feel even more convincing and added another layer to the band’s already ridiculous presentation.
The set opened with two inmates preparing to introduce the audience to their new music before being interrupted by the band’s police force. What followed was a complete musical takeover, with the officers swapping the inmates’ instruments for ones they insisted they couldn’t play before joining the ensemble themselves. From there, X-Cops launched into a collection of crime-themed songs, all while subjecting one particularly unfortunate inmate to a series of increasingly ridiculous acts of excessive force.
Their antics included tossing freshly brewed hot coffee on him after he offered the officers donuts, which were generously thrown into the crowd, as well as conducting their own questionable investigations into confiscated substances. It was an entertaining combination of theatrical comedy and musical chaos, all wrapped in a convincing police-themed production. Naturally, the evening concluded with the inmates being hauled away for the ultimate offense: being terrible musicians.
Instagram: @xcopsofficial
Facebook: X-COPS Official
Website: xcops.net
Bandsintown: X-COPS
Next up, we were greeted by the familiar red-and-yellow clown aesthetic of Mac Sabbath, complete with a Prince of Darkness twist. Nothing could have prepared me for the moment the curtain dropped and revealed Grimalice, the towering purple, Grimace-inspired creature standing behind a bass guitar. It was an absolutely absurd introduction, and somehow only the beginning of what would become one of the most memorable performances of the night.
The band’s entire presentation is designed to make you smile, laugh, and question exactly what you’re witnessing. Their lead vocalist, Ronald Osbourne, does an incredible job channeling the vocals, mannerisms, and larger-than-life presence of the late Ozzy Osbourne, while adding his own fast-food-fueled personality to the performance. From spraying the audience with faux ketchup through a classic diner-style bottle to firing up his conveniently placed stage grill, cooking a bat, serving it on a bun, and taking a bite out of its head, there was never a dull moment.
What makes Mac Sabbath so entertaining is just how thoughtfully everything comes together. The parody lyrics fit their fast-food fantasy without feeling forced, while the costumes and character designs are packed with personality and detail. Whether it was the tusks of guitarist Slayer MacCheeze or the makeup and presentation of drummer Catburglar, nothing felt like an afterthought. Every piece of the production contributed to the band’s bizarre little universe.
They left a lasting impression, and as someone who proudly considers herself a clown girl, I can confidently say Mac Sabbath gained a new fan that night.
Instagram: @officialmacsabbath
Facebook: Mac Sabbath
TikTok: @macsabbath
YouTube: Mac Sabbath
X (Twitter): @macsabbath
Official Website: officialmacsabbath.com
Third in the lineup was Midnight, who brought a much darker and more traditional metal presence to the evening. The trio emerged with their faces concealed beneath black hoods reminiscent of those placed over the heads of guillotine victims. Combined with their rough-edged leather, chains, and old-school punk accessories, the band’s appearance perfectly complemented their aggressive sound.
There was something unapologetically rebellious about their entire performance. Their relentless energy kept the crowd moving, while the musicians jumped from their amplifiers and unleashed blistering guitar solos that helped maintain the momentum. After two performances built around elaborate characters and theatrical humor, Midnight delivered a straightforward dose of raw, unfiltered metal that fit perfectly into the night’s increasingly chaotic atmosphere.
Then came the main event. Leading us into the beginning of the end, GWAR opened their performance with a grotesque portrayal of Donald Trump, who began boasting about his accomplishments before having his stomach dramatically filleted and unleashing a massive spray of blood across the audience within the first five minutes.
Fortunately, I was already familiar with GWAR’s infamous stage antics and had taken the necessary precautions to wrap my camera before stepping within just a few feet of the action. Even with that preparation, I wasn’t entirely spared. The spray reached my hair and face, and there was absolutely no mistaking it when the freezing liquid came raining down. It certainly woke me up for the remainder of the evening. I still managed to escape relatively unscathed compared to the House of Blues staff, who were practically baptized in the stuff and seemed to have collectively accepted their fate. The fans, however, couldn’t have been happier. Many arrived dressed in white, clearly hoping to leave looking considerably more pink and red. By the end of the performance, they got exactly what they came for.
As GWAR continued their grotesque political spectacle, the band introduced a series of newly appointed cabinet members they intended to use in their attempt to take over the country, only to discover that they were just as terrible as the people they were replacing. Naturally, the solution involved plenty of theatrical dismemberment and even more blood.
Watching the audience gradually transform from a sea of white shirts into a sea of pink and red was an experience in itself. It also helped me understand the band’s enduring popularity and the dedication of their fanbase. Everyone was completely invested in the spectacle, from longtime fans eagerly waiting for their next soaking to a particularly adorable toddler attending her very first GWAR show with her parents. Positioned right up against the barricade, she looked just as excited as everyone else to experience the chaos firsthand.
Beyond the blood and theatrics, the production itself was genuinely incredible. Everything from the band’s elaborate costumes to the intricate stage pieces felt like a work of art. Each character had distinct features and details that made them recognizable, while the technology behind the blood sprays was engineered with impressive precision. It was functional enough to deliver the full effect without making the mechanics obvious to the audience.
One of the biggest highlights was Gor-Gor, the band’s infamous dinosaur, who appeared in two different forms throughout the production: a baby version operated as a hand puppet and a full-scale, walkable creature requiring two performers. Both were remarkably detailed and felt like something straight out of a Broadway production or major motion picture. It was a reminder that beneath all the outrageous humor and violence, there is an extraordinary amount of creativity and craftsmanship behind what GWAR brings to the stage.
But perhaps the most unexpected highlight of the entire set was their live cover of Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club. The moment the song began, the entire venue erupted. Fans sang every word at the top of their lungs, and even members of security were joining in while simultaneously keeping an eye on the crowd surfers. Bathed in pink lighting and surrounded by the band’s signature chaos, it became one of those unexpected concert moments that you wish you could bottle up and experience all over again.
By the time the night came to an end, I was left with stained skin, wet clothes, and a camera that had thankfully survived the madness. Every bit of it was worth it. There are some concerts that you can describe through photographs and words, but GWAR is an experience that doesn’t quite translate until you’ve stood in the middle of it yourself. It’s the kind of performance you can spend hours explaining to someone, only to realize that the best recommendation is simply to tell them to go see it.
GWAR has more than earned the reputation and praise that follow them, and after finally experiencing the spectacle firsthand, they’ve gained a new fan in me. From the wildly creative production to the infectious enthusiasm of the audience, the entire evening was a reminder of just how much personality, imagination, and community live within the music scene. It was an absolute pleasure to capture the chaos, the creativity, and the unapologetic positivity GWAR and the supporting bands brought to our little corner of the Carolina coast. Myrtle Beach may have started the night looking like itself, but it certainly didn’t look that way when we all walked out.
Instagram: @gwar
Facebook: GWAR Official
TikTok: @gwar
YouTube: GWAR Official
X (Twitter): @GWAR
Official Website: gwar.net
All official links in one place: GWAR Linktree
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