Static-X in Hampton Beach, NH – June 11, 2025

The Machines vs. Monsters tour came to the historic Hampton Beach Ballroom Casino in New Hampshire on Wednesday night. The crowd was energic and arrived early for the heavy lineup of Static-X, GWAR, Dope, and A Killer’s Confession. These bands are known for their brutal riffs and monstrous stage presence and Hampton Beach was ready to soak it all in.

dope

When people think of late 90’s and early 2000’s industrial metal, one of the top bands that will come to mind is dope. Their iconic lead singer Edsel Dope got their set started off ferociously with “Blood Money” and got the crowd jumping instantly. Guitarist, Virus, had been out for a few dates on this tour for a personal matter and the crowd noticeably embraced him being back out on stage. dope’s energy was raw and relentless, with the Edsel’s vocals cutting through a wall of distorted guitars and thunderous drums. The pit opened up as they dove into fan favorites like “Debonaire” and “Die MF Die.”

Since many of their bigger tracks came out years ago, dope could easily play some greatest hits and call it a day, but that’s absolutely not the band dope. They kept the intensity high, fed off the crowd and poured their heart into their music. When they dove into “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record),” the Dead or Alive cover that’s become a cult favorite, the entire room sang along in chaotic harmony. Overall, dope’s live shows are a fierce testament to enduring industrial-metal spirit, blending nostalgia with explosive present-day energy which ends up leaving the audience absolutely exhilarated.

GWAR

GWAR’s live performances are a chaotic culmination of theatrical shock-rock and heavy-hitting metal musicianship. Tonight at Hampton Beach this was no exception. As soon as soon as the grotesque intergalactic warriors that are GWAR graced the stage they wasted no time hitting the fans with their song “Fuck This Place”. Heads were quickly being chopped off with Elon Musk being the first to be taken out by Sawborg Destructo’s chainsaw. The red blood-like substance began to spray everywhere as the beheading of a man in a DOGE shirt was taking place. The next celebrity sighting on stage was Trump during the song “El Presidente” where there was an overly enthusiastic “Fuck Trump” chant happening as GWAR was about to have their way with the orange man. The crowd surfers were in full force by this time and security was scrambling to keep up with the bodies flying into the pit.

GWAR continued through their set with some 90’s favorites like “The Salaminzier” and “Slap U Around”. Blöthar the Berserker took the time throughout the set to converse with the crowd and no topic, including themselves, was off limits to mockery. If you are a hard rock or metal fan and have yet to see GWAR you are doing yourself a disservice. It’s time to put on a white shirt, head to the barricade, and put yourself in their bloody path.

Static-X

Closing out the night was the co-headliner Static-X. Lead singer, Xer0, kicked off their set on a tall standing platform while donning the robotic Wayne Static mask and hair to honor the late original lead singer. After getting the crowd going with songs like “Cannibal” and “Wisconsin Death Trip”. Static-X absolutely lit the place up during “Bled For Days”. Around this time lead singer, Xer0, took the opportunity to address the crowd and say how he could remember back in the day watching GWAR on episodes of MTV’s Beavis & Butthead and how he never imagined being on tour with them over twenty years later. It is always wonderful at a show to hear a band praise and appreciate one of the other bands on the lineup.

As the night went on Static-X added in newer tracks like “Z0mbie” and “Destroy All” showing they have a future and they’re not just resting on the success of the past. After some new music they punched right back in with their massive hit, “I’m With Stupid”. That song already had the crowd moshing and singing in unison, but they really lost it when GWAR joined Static-X on stage during “Push It”. It was a perfect and memorable way to finish the night off with the two powerhouse co-headliners.