Live Review: GWAR + Soulfly + King Parrot @ The Signal, Chattanooga, TN - April 27, 2026

2 days ago
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A performer in a spiked, horned costume sings on stage. Bright screens and colorful lighting create an energetic concert vibe. — Gwar photo by Chris Collett

There are concerts, and then there are GWAR shows. If you’ve never seen GWAR live, nothing really prepares you for it. The Scumdogs of the Universe rolled into The Signal in Chattanooga on April 27, and within minutes it was clear this wasn’t going to be your normal night. This was chaos, satire, and pure spectacle all wrapped into one.

This marked my 19th time for me seeing GWAR, and somehow it never gets old. You know what’s coming, but you really don’t at the same time. That unpredictability mixed with the full commitment to the performance is what keeps people coming back.

Band in elaborate costumes perform on stage amid colorful lights and screens. Crowd raises hands, creating an energetic concert atmosphere. — Gwar photo by Chris Collett

GWAR has never been for everyone, and they’ve never tried to be. Their entire identity is built on pushing boundaries, taking shots at religion, politics, and anything else in their path. Going back to the days of

Oderus Urungus, portrayed by Dave Brockie, the band made a name for themselves by being as outrageous as possible, even landing on daytime talk shows because of it. That same mindset still drives everything they do.

Even after Brockie’s passing, the band has never slowed down and of course he would have wanted it that way. Under Blothar the Berserker leading the helm, GWAR continues forward with the same over-the-top commitment. The costumes are massive, the production is ridiculous in the best way, and the whole thing still feels like controlled chaos.

King Parrot photo by Chris Collett

The night opened with King Parrot, the Australian grindcore band that wasted no time making an impression. Their set was loud, fast, and chaotic, and their frontman kept the crowd involved the entire time, throwing and spitting water out over the pit. It was messy, aggressive, and exactly what you want to kick off a show like this.

Guitarist in camo pants plays energetically on stage with purple lights. Hair flying, drums nearby, camo-covered equipment. Rock concert vibe. — Soulfly photo by Chris Collett

Soulfly followed and brought a completely different kind of weight. Formed after the split of Sepultura, the band still carries that heavy foundation while carving out its own identity. Led by Max Cavalera, their set leaned into thick grooves and tribal rhythms that pulled the crowd in. The pits opened up, the energy got heavier, and by the end of their set, the room was fully ready.

Then GWAR hit the stage, and within the first two minutes, it happened. Blood everywhere. Not a mist, completely soaked. Me, the crowd, the camera, everything. And just like every other time, everyone loved it. There’s a moment where you either lean into it or step back, and Chattanooga leaned all the way in.

Performers in elaborate monster costumes face off on stage, under vibrant green and purple lights. "GWAR" sign in the background. — Gwar photos by Chris Collett

From there, the show only escalated. The band tore through a stacked setlist packed with classics and fan favorites, mixing heavy hitters with their signature stage antics. “Metal Metal Land” and “Saddam a Go-Go” hit exactly how you’d expect, but it’s the full experience that makes it work.

Then came one of the most unexpected moments of the night with their cover of “Pink Pony Club.” Hearing GWAR take on a Chappell Roan track shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. It caught people off guard in the best way, but what really pushed it over the top was the stage production. During the high notes, the amount of blood spewing from Blothar’s udders was ridiculous, soaking the front rows all over again and turning the moment into pure GWAR chaos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5XR48KLE8I

Gwar cover "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan

By the time they closed out with “Sick of You,” the crowd was completely drenched and fully into it. Nineteen shows in, and it still hits the same. You don’t go to a GWAR show just for the music. You go for everything that comes with it. It’s messy, loud, and unforgettable.

GWAR isn’t slowing down either. The band is set to return this fall with the second leg of the tour, so if you missed this run or just want to experience it again, you’ll get another shot soon.