THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.
Machines vs Monsters: A Second Shot at Glory for 4 bands.
Buffalo, NY – The Machines vs Monsters tour rolled into the Buffalo River Works on Sunday night, delivering one of the loudest and most intense shows of the year. A packed crowd braced for impact as Static-X, GWAR, Dope, and A Killer’s Confession unleashed an all-out sonic assault. Each band brought their own distinct firepower—Static-X’s industrial punch, GWAR’s theatrical bloody madness, Dope’s raw intensity, and A Killer’s Confession’s ferocity. Together, they fueled a night of pure adrenaline, keeping the crowd locked in for a full evening of heavy and hard-hitting chaotic entertainment.
The audience didn’t just cheer—they sacrificed themselves to the music, throwing their bodies into the frenzy of crowd surfing, crashing toward the front barrier in pure adrenaline-fueled devotion. And for those caught in the crossfire of GWAR’s performance, they become drenched in fake blood, turning the venue into a ritual of controlled mayhem. But beyond the sheer energy and spectacle, this night was something deeper—a brotherhood of metal lovers, bound together by the music, the madness, and the unspoken understanding that this is more than just sound. It’s a way of life. Fans rocked on, their clothes and skin stained red, wearing it like a badge of honor.
Opening the night at 6:30 PM, A Killer’s Confession wasted no time in setting the tone for the evening with an intense 40-minute set. The band, led by ex-Mushroomhead vocalist Waylon Reavis and ex-Mushroomhead keyboardist Richard ‘Stitch’ Thomas, delivered a spectacular performance of their latest single, “Hollow.” The crowd erupted when they tore into the Mushroomhead classic “Qwerty,” turning the venue into a frenzy of raw energy. A Killer’s Confession isn’t just another rising act—this is a band with massive potential, and if they keep building momentum, it’s only a matter of time before they’re headlining major venues. Reavis has definitely found his way after leaving Mushroomhead.
Dope hit the stage at 7:15 PM, setting the tone for what was still to come. Led by vocalist mastermind Edsel Dope, the band brought a unique twist to this show—longtime Dope guitarist Virus was back onstage, marking a special moment for longtime fans. During previous tour dates, Static-X guitarist Koichi Fukuda had been filling in, but tonight, Virus reclaimed his spot.
Dope delivered a powerful, high-energy set, though one of rock’s worst-kept secrets was hanging in the air—Edsel Dope is widely believed to be Xer0, the masked frontman of Static-X. With that in mind, it felt like he was pacing himself, saving some of his energy for the headlining spot later in the night. That didn’t stop him from fully engaging with the crowd, though—he kept the energy flowing with sharp-witted banter, joking about the audience getting spewed on by the next band, GWAR, and taking shots at the struggles of being a Buffalo Bills fan, watching the team get painfully close to a Super Bowl win, only to fall short every time. He even called out seeing a boat drift past the venue—Buffalo RiverWorks sits right on the river, making for an unforgettable backdrop.
The set highlights included their signature banger “Die MF Die” and the explosive opener “Blood Money”, both delivered with relentless intensity.
The mighty GWAR hit the stage at 8:15 PM, and their set was pure, unfiltered madness—the kind every rock fan needs to experience at least once. The band sacrificed Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Taylor Swift, drenching the crowd in streams of red-colored water, leaving no corner of the venue untouched.
This modern incarnation of GWAR remains just as messy, destructive, and gloriously outrageous as the original lineup formed in 1984 by the late, great Dave Brockie, better known as Oderus Urungus, the band’s fearless leader. While GWAR has evolved, core members still carry the torch—Mike Derks (Balsac the Jaws of Death – rhythm guitar), Casey Orr (Beefcake the Mighty – bass), and Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da Gusha – drums) all continue to deliver the band’s signature brand of mayhem.
The crowd was fully locked in from the first note, with the explosive opener “F This Place” setting the tone for the insanity that followed. Fists flew in the air, voices shouted along in approval, and for those caught in the blood-soaked spectacle, there was no escape—only full surrender.
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Closing out the night, Static-X hit the stage at 9:45 PM, delivering a relentless 16-song set. This incarnation—often referred to as Static-X 2.0—has evolved significantly since the band’s relaunch in 2018, featuring original members Tony Campos (bass), Koichi Fukuda (lead guitar), and Ken Jay (drums) alongside masked frontman Xer0—widely believed to be Edsel Dope—who stepped in after the passing of Wayne Static on November 1, 2014.
What truly sets this version apart is their super creative approach to carrying on the band’s legacy while paying tribute to Wayne Static’s influence. Rather than simply reviving their past, Static-X has leaned into an innovative, immersive visual experience, featuring state-of-the-art stage production and dynamic backing screens that amplify their high-energy industrial sound. Their ability to relaunch the band in a way that honors Wayne Static while forging a fresh identity has been nothing short of a surprise success, proving that Static-X’s return is about evolution, not just nostalgia.
Set highlights included the pulse-pounding “Terminator Oscillator”, an emotional performance of “Cold”, serving as a tribute to Wayne Static, and the explosive closer “Push It”, leaving the crowd in a frenzy.
In summary, this was a spectacular show where all four bands, in their own way, have been reinvented or given a second chance to taste success in the ever-fickle and fiercely competitive music industry. From A Killer’s Confession staking their claim as a rising force, to Dope delivering their signature intensity, GWAR unleashing absolute chaos, and Static-X pushing their creative reinvention to new heights, this lineup proved that evolution is key to longevity in rock and metal. For fans, this was a true “bang for the buck” experience—each band delivered something unique, ensuring the crowd walked away with more than just memories, but a full-body experience. If this tour rolls into your city, don’t miss it, you’ll want to witness this spectacle firsthand.
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Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
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