Review & Photography by Nathan Vestal for MPM
On Halloween night, The Rave in Milwaukee became a breeding ground for pure, unfiltered chaos as Squid Pisser took the stage for a hauntingly wild, genre-bending performance.
True to form, the duo-turned-collective fusion of punishing grindcore, noise, and experimental punk—embraced the spirit of the holiday with an intensity that kept the crowd teetering between shock and awe.
The set kicked off with an unrelenting wall of sound, echoing like a siren call to the misfits, metalheads, and costume-clad attendees in the crowd. Squid Pisser wasted no time launching into a relentless barrage of noise; thick basslines clashed against thunderous percussion while screeching guitar feedback pierced through, leaving no chance for a breather. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Tommy Meehan and drummer Nicky Calonne, the performance seemed almost theatrical, designed to ensnare and hypnotize the Halloween crowd with dissonance and destruction.
Visually, the band leaned into the night’s macabre theme. The lights went out and never came back up. A scarce smattering of red lights with pounding strobes flooded the room. Amidst the strobe lights and haze, Squid Pisser embodied a sonic and visual assault that felt immersive and almost apocalyptic. Their attire was a mix of surreal, gore-laden costumes and nightmarish masks, amplifying the disturbing undercurrents of their music. The crowd braced for impact and responded in kind—moshing, headbanging, and, at times, just standing in awe at the sheer audacity and visceral power of the performance.
By the time the band abruptly exited the stage after “Virus Assholes”, Squid Pisser had left their mark, providing Milwaukee with an unforgettable Halloween and a reminder of the primal power of live music. This performance was not just a concert but a cathartic release, affirming Squid Pisser as one of the most unpredictable, boundary-pushing acts in the scene today.
Dark Funeral
Next up that night, The Rave transformed into an unholy sanctuary for black metal fans as Dark Funeral, Sweden’s blackened lords, brought their ferocious spectacle to life. Milwaukee, already known for embracing heavy metal with open arms, seemed to savor every blast beat and scream, as the audience became part of an intense, atmospheric ritual.
The Rave, itself allegedly haunted, is a historic venue that lends itself well to any metal gig, but Halloween took the vibe up a notch. The decor was macabre, with dark drapes and eerie lighting enhancing the haunted vibe. Staff and fans alike embraced the holiday with costumes ranging from corpse-painted ghouls to demonic masks. The crowd, a cross-section of dedicated black metal devotees, filled the floor in thick anticipation, while smoke machines pumped the room full of fog, creating a sense of being trapped in an otherworldly lair.
Dark Funeral’s Arrival
When the lights dimmed and the intro music began, the crowd erupted. Dark Funeral appeared one by one, cloaked in shadows, their corpse paint catching the glint of cold, blue lights. Heljarmadr (vocals), Lord Ahriman (guitar), Chaq Mol (guitar), Adra Melek (bass), and Jalomaah (drums) positioned themselves on stage like spectral figures from the underworld. The moment they launched into their first track, “Nosferatu,” it was clear this would be a show to remember.
Dark Funeral’s set was a curated journey through their discography, pulling from both their early classics and newer material. Tracks like “To Carve Another Wound” and “Unchain My Soul” whipped the crowd into a fervor, with many headbanging and screaming along to every syllable. Heljarmadr’s piercing shrieks cut through the venue like a blade, his voice relentless and powerful, matching the force of the band’s intricate, dark melodies.
Throughout their performance of “Where Shadows Forever Reign.” The atmosphere became electric, and the audience seemed almost mesmerized by the slow, haunting intro, before plunging into a wall of blistering speed and aggression. The synchronized strobe lights during this track added to the ferocity, creating a sensory overload that felt both chaotic and exhilarating.
Each band member was at the top of their game. Lord Ahriman and Chaq Mol’s guitars blended in a perfect storm of tremolo picking and arpeggiated riffs, layering harmonies that sounded both celestial and infernal. Jalomaah’s drumming was impeccable, his blast beats rapid but precise, creating a relentless, driving force throughout the night. Adra Melek’s basslines cut through the mix, grounding the music with a heaviness that added depth to the high-pitched guitar tones.
Heljarmadr, as always, was a captivating frontman. With his hands reaching out like claws, he commanded the crowd’s attention with every growl and scream. His intensity was palpable, and his presence felt larger than life, as though he were channeling something dark and primal from beyond the stage.
The crowd was fully engaged throughout, with fans crowd-surfing, forming mosh pits, and raising horns in unison. The energy never waned; instead, it seemed to build with each song. Milwaukee’s metal community showed up in full force, many donning their own corpse paint and black attire, echoing the band’s aesthetic. The unity among the fans was palpable, each person a part of the dark ritual unfolding on stage.
Dark Funeral’s Halloween show at The Rave was nothing short of a sonic and visual triumph. The band brought their usual intensity but seemed especially invigorated by the spirit of the night. This performance was more than just a concert; it felt like a journey through the depths of darkness. Fans left with ringing ears, adrenaline pumping, and a renewed appreciation for one of black metal’s most enduring acts.
GWAR
The Rave in Milwaukee, already known for its gothic architecture and dark ambiance, leaned fully into the Halloween spirit with eerie decorations, red lights, fog machines, and darkened corners that seemed perfectly designed to hide lurking creatures. The crowd, a mix of horror-loving metalheads and die-hard GWAR fans (many in costume themselves), buzzed with anticipation, knowing that they were about to experience an assault on the senses.
In an ominous turn of events, just before 10 p.m., the lights dimmed, and the hyped-up crowd was Rick-rolled.
Foreshadowing the shock comedy rock to come, the anticipation for GWAR continued to build as the crowd howled lyrics to Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”, PSY’s “Gangnam Style”, and Britney Spears’ “Oops!…I Did it Again”. The karaoke party soon turned to menacing baselines seeping through the speakers, setting a foreboding tone.
The crowd surged forward, pushing the safety fence against the stage, making it difficult for the photographers and poncho-covered security team to work. Out of the darkness, GWAR’s members emerged in their monstrous costumes—massive, grotesque, and undeniably alien.
One by one, the audience stood in awe of Balsac the Jaws of Death (guitar) with epic hooves, Beefcake the Mighty (bass) with menacing metal spikes, Bonesnapper wielding a colossal mace, newcomer Grodius Maximus (vocals), and other larger-than-life characters. Even though frontman Blöthar the Berserker was absent from this show, the experienced cast laid down the vocals and their skits and were rewarded by howls of delight by the crowd.
From the first note, the band took command, diving straight into “El Presidente.” The energy in the room erupted, and it didn’t take long for the carnage to begin. As is typical of a GWAR show, the music was only part of the experience. The set list covered a mix of newer tracks and fan favorites, like “Happy Death Day!” and “Let Us Slay,” each delivered with unrelenting intensity. The band’s unique blend of thrash, punk, and hardcore metal sounded fierce and tight, showing off GWAR’s musicianship despite the inherent theatrical chaos.
But it was the show’s theatrics that pushed this performance into the realm of unforgettable. Between songs, the stage became a battlefield: actors in elaborate costumes depicting politicians, monsters, and caricatures of public figures took turns being brutally dismembered by the band.
Blood (or, more accurately, red-dyed liquid) sprayed out into the crowd in glorious arcs, covering the first few rows in what fans proudly call “GWAR baptism.” The Halloween night seemed to embolden the band, as they leaned even further into the horror elements, creating vignettes that felt darker, bloodier, and funnier than ever.
The highlight of the night was a gruesome reimagining of a horror-movie-style scene, where Bonesnapper faced off against The Founding Fathers, an amalgamation of The United States’ first few presidents mutated into one beast. Fans in costume—whether dressed as zombies, vampires, or even GWAR members themselves—embraced the chaos, cheering wildly and begging for more.
After an hour and a half of relentless shredding and gory theatrics, GWAR closed the set with an encore of “Sick of You”. The crowd’s energy reached a fever pitch, headbanging, moshing, and screaming every lyric back to the stage. The band’s final moments were a perfect, chaotic blend of pounding metal riffs and over-the-top theatrics.
Halloween in Milwaukee couldn’t have been more perfectly celebrated than with GWAR at The Rave. From the incredible atmosphere to the bone-crunching music and wild antics, GWAR delivered a performance that was as brutal as it was theatrical.
Whether you came for the music or the mayhem, this was a show that left an impression—and likely left every fan there counting down the days until they could experience it all over again. For anyone who loves metal, horror, and the kind of unforgettable live show that only GWAR can provide, this Halloween night was a blood-soaked, headbanging dream come true.
