Concert Recap: The Stoned Age Tour at Franklin Music Hall with GWAR, Cancer Bats, and Squid Pisser

Philadelphia’s Franklin Music Hall became ground zero for pure metal mayhem as The Stoned Age Tour rolled through, headlined by the legendary GWAR. Alongside them, the ferocious Cancer Bats and chaotic newcomers Squid Pisser rounded out a night packed with moshing, crowd surfing, and a theatrical bloodbath that only GWAR can deliver. From start to finish, this show was an unforgettable spectacle, blending unrelenting heaviness with a bizarre, gory theatrical experience.

Squid Pisser Opens with Frenzy

Kicking off the night was Squid Pisser, a band as wild and unhinged as their name suggests. Their chaotic blend of noise punk and grindcore was a perfect way to start the madness. From the very first note, the crowd was thrust into a state of controlled chaos. Their singer, Tommy Meehan found himself a path to the pit for their first song, immediately getting the pits started. The fans began crashing into one another in a swirling vortex of bodies.

Squid Pisser’s short, abrasive songs left no room for rest, keeping the energy high as the crowd moshed and screamed along. The band’s raw, powerful energy translated perfectly on stage, and by the end of their set, Franklin Music Hall was fully alive, ready for the next round of destruction.

Cancer Bats Bring the Groove

Next up was Cancer Bats, a Canadian hardcore band with a knack for blending punk and southern metal grooves. They hit the stage with an explosive energy, starting with fan favorites like “Bricks and Mortar” and “Trust No One.”

Their infectious riffs and anthemic choruses had the crowd shouting back every word, and the pits only grew more intense.

The energy in the room reached its peak when the band covered the Beastie Boys classic “Sabotage,” a staple of their live shows. Crowd surfers began to emerge, riding waves of hands to the front while others dove into the pit for the night’s roughest breakdowns. Cancer Bats struck the perfect balance between heaviness and fun, setting the stage for the madness that was about to unfold.

GWAR: The Reigning Lords of Chaos

When it was finally time for GWAR, the anticipation in the room was noticeable to say the least. Known for their outrageous stage shows that blend heavy music with over-the-top theatrics, GWAR did not disappoint. Dressed in their signature grotesque costumes, the band unleashed their unique brand of carnage, and the Franklin Music Hall crowd was more than ready to embrace it.

This time, GWAR’s theme was a satirical assault on both current and past world leaders. The stage was transformed into a grotesque political arena where characters like a zombified Hitler, a war torn Abe Lincoln, and even Donald Trump and Kamala Harris had their chance to battle it out. All members met their hilariously gory end with each leader only to be dismembered, decapitated, or otherwise “defeated” by GWAR’s monstrous crew, spraying the crowd with gallons of fake blood and other colorful fluids.

Fans came prepared for the splatter-fest, with many wearing white shirts to showcase their new “battle scars.” As soon as the first spray of blood hit the crowd, the entire floor erupted into madness. Mosh pits formed and re-formed with every breakdown, and the crowd surfing intensified, with fans gleefully passing each other toward the stage, fully embracing the chaos.

Musically, GWAR was as tight as ever, ripping through tracks like “Sick of You,” “Bring Back the Bomb,” and "Saddam a Go-Go." Their heavy riffs and pounding drums kept the energy at a all time high, while the theatrical elements added an entirely different layer of entertainment. Between songs, frontman Blöthar the Berserker kept the crowd laughing with his dark humor and off-the-wall banter.

Pits, Blood, and Unity

Throughout the night, the pits at Franklin Music Hall were relentless. Whether you were in the thick of the action or watching from the sidelines, the energy was infectious. Fans threw themselves into the chaos, only to be hoisted back up for another crowd surf or dragged into the pit for the next breakdown. There was an undeniable sense of camaraderie as everyone reveled in the absurdity of GWAR’s world. Even those in the back couldn’t escape the madness, as GWAR’s fake blood cannons reached nearly every corner of the venue. By the end of the night, the entire crowd was soaked, smiling, and screaming for more.

A Night of Metal Mayhem

The Stoned Age Tour stop at Franklin Music Hall was everything fans could have hoped for—a night filled with heavy music, outrageous theatrics, and an unrelenting sense of fun. Squid Pisser set the tone with their unfiltered chaos, Cancer Bats kept the energy surging, and GWAR delivered the kind of larger-than-life performance that cements their status as legends of the metal scene.

For those who were there, it was a night of blood-soaked glory and unparalleled energy. And for those who missed it, there’s no doubt they’ll be hearing about this one for years to come.

Until next time, stay heavy, stay weird, and never miss a chance to experience the insanity of GWAR live!

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