Intergalactic horrors GWAR unleash a vulgar, thrashing carnival of carnage to bleed out laughing to…

Words by Felix Bartlett | July 22, 2025

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Few bands lean into their own ridiculousness quite like GWAR. For 40 years, these intergalactic weirdos have thrived on their over-the-top mythology, blasting out loud, chaotic metal-punk songs filled with gore, satire, and enough shock value to make a nun faint. The Return of Gor Gor, their latest bizarre release, comes as no exception and is a wild mix of studio and live tracks that brings back their long-lost dino buddy Gor Gor, now reborn as a massive, out-of-control beast. It’s dumb in the best way, it’s clever when it wants to be, and it’s pure GWAR.

The real highlights from this EP are the three brand-new songs. ‘The Great Circus Train Disaster’ explodes out of the gate with fast, furious punk-metal energy, growling vocals, and riffs that punch hard, setting the stage for Gor Gor’s twisted return. As usual, the lyrics mix vile humour with sharp jabs at the world’s problems, GWAR’s trademark way of screaming about society while covered in fake blood. Next up is ‘Lot Lizard,’ a fast and dirty banger that sounds like it could’ve come from their classic Scumdogs of the Universe days, with killer guitar work from Grodius Maximus. ‘Tyrant King’ finishes the new tracks with a slower, stomping groove that feels like a T-Rex smashing through a bar.

The live tracks are a nice bonus, but don’t hit quite as hard. ‘America Must Be Destroyed’ gets a timely update with new political samples, and ‘Fishfuck’ is still as gloriously offensive as ever. They’re entertaining, but feel more like extras than essential listening. Still, if you’re looking for a taste of what to expect from one of their live shows these tracks encapsulate it perfectly.

What really makes The Return of Gor Gor stand out is everything around the music. There’s a 32-page comic book, some plush toys, and over-the-top videos, all part of the full GWAR experience that’s sure to satisfy any long-term GWAR fan. Sure, it would’ve been great to have more new songs, but as a fun in-between release, it absolutely works.

At the end of the day, The Return of Gor Gor is GWAR doing what they do best: embracing chaos, making fun of the world, and reminding us that metal doesn’t always have to be serious. If you’re already a fan, you’ll have a blast. If not, this won’t convert you, but honestly, GWAR was never about playing it safe or pleasing everyone.

Verdict: 💀💀💀

For fans of: Ghoul, Municipal Waste, Gama Bomb

The Return Of Gor Gor is released on July 25 via The Pit Records