The wildest shock rock band in the universe, GWAR, made a stop in Lincoln on Thursday, November 6, 2025. [Photo credit: Dean Birkheimer]

DEAN BIRKHEIMER | Go Venue Magazine

On November 6th, 2025 the white t-shirt wearing crowd began gathering in the converted-cinema at 1415 O St. There was an air of expectation and a feeling that something absurd and glorious was about to happen.

First out from New York, was Blood Vulture, ripping through a sharp set of bruising riffs and strong vocals. They warmed up the floor by ordering a mosh-circle that was eagerly obeyed. The band never missed a beat, even when the lead singer fell off the stage into the barricaded area. It was only a four song set, but the job was done and everyone was significantly fired up.

The Dwarves surged on, a chaotic punk-thrash assault with blistering tempo, snide lyrics, wild stage-antics. Their energy demanded movement, and they got it. They told us they were the best punk band because they still write and play songs you’ve never heard. The crowd ate them up, spit ’em out and ate them again. They simply could not get enough.

Helmet provided a more measured, muscular contrast. The punchy grooves, tight rhythms, and elevated alt-metal swagger kept the audience engaged and primed. Each song was masterfully done and performed non-stop. The crowd didn’t need another reason to cheer, but when front-man Page Hamilton mentioned that his mother was born in Nebraska, they went a little more ballistic.

When GWAR hit the stage, it was theatrics from minute one. Monstrous costumes, gory props, blood-red lighting, and a carnivalesque set. The mythos of interplanetary war-gods bent on Earth-domination was alive and dripping. The Bourbon Theatre’s intimate capacity made the experience all the more immersive because you were in the thick of it.  Musically, the set balanced newer material with cult classics, and the crowd responded loudest when the familiar riffs hit. The pit was energetic and sweat-soaked. The fans got soaked even more from the gallons of liquid being shot at them from the stage. Visually, the stage-show embraced absurdity, horror-film gore and satire.  The kind of thing where you leave covered in something and grinning like a lunatic. The fans got exactly what they signed up for. A loud, theatrical spectacle full of heavy riffs, wild crowd-action, and yes, probably a bit of red and blue goo on your shirt.  GWAR brought the gore, the grandeur and the grind. The opening acts served as perfect funnels into the frenzy. For fans of the preposterous, this was a win.

Thank you to the Bourbon Theatre and its people. Very welcoming and thoughtful. I even had a member of security give me a GWAR poncho to help me, but more importantly, my equipment stays dry.

GWAR Helmet The Dwarves Blood Vulture All images © Dean Birkheimer

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