Wargasm in LA: Filthy, unadulterated & anarchy-fueled mayhem
London must have heard the shouts of punk rebellion and nonconformity roaring from LA’s 1720 as Wargasm (UK) stormed the stage on Saturday and delivered a night of pure chaos. The 21+ show was deliberate, in-your-face and unrelenting. The band was supported by Keyawna Nikola and Dropout Kings, who made one thing clear: if you weren’t moving and jumping, you were part of the problem. Genre-bending sets kept the night dynamic, with metal crossing into hip-hop, punk and electronic at every turn. Though 1720 is small in size, it felt larger than life thanks to the dynamic duo of Sam Matlock and Milkie Way setting the room ablaze with ‘Angry Songs for Sad People’.
Keyawna Nikola opened the night with a striking fusion of emo trap, drill and metal. Her stage presence was unfiltered and down-to-earth. It was an infectious blend of commanding energy and playful fun. Early-2000s-inspired electronic elements mixed seamlessly with hip-hop beats over a heavy metal foundation. Secondary vocalist David added softer metalcore vocals before guest feature Crew injected drill intensity on ‘I CAN’T LET THE WORLD CHAIN ME’. Closing with her latest single ‘Bleed’ (featuring Lil Wayne), Keyawna left the stage on a high, fully setting the tone for what was to come.
Dropout Kings raised the bar with their self-described trap metal. While the absence of Adam Ramey was felt deeply, William ‘Black Cat Bill’ led a cathartic, high-energy set that seemed to summon Adam’s spirit onto the stage. ‘Going Rogue’ was a standout — everything that makes nu-metal thrive was alive: rapid-fire lyricism, crushing riffs and an irresistible call to headbang, bounce and shout along. ‘Black Cat Bill’ urged the audience to pour everything they had into the moment, and the performance was so intense it felt like Adam transcended onto the stage. The band’s hip-hop-inspired crowd engagement made every moment participatory, with no chance to stand still. They closed with their classic ‘GlitchGang’, an explosive farewell that honored Adam while unleashing a final wave of lyrical ferocity and heavy breakdowns.
By the time Wargasm (UK) stormed the stage, anyone not already drenched in sweat, beer or water didn’t stand a chance. They were there to finish the job and make sure the crowd left filthy — with a free lobotomy. Wargasm isn’t just a collision of electronic, punk and metal. It’s an unrelenting experience. The duo hit like a livewire, kicking off with ‘Bad Seed’ straight into ‘Vigilantes’. From the start, they proved they weren’t there to play but to overload every sense with high voltage. Songs slammed back-to-back with no breaks, the only pauses coming when the band demanded even more chaos from the crowd. Their punk-rooted lyrics called for anarchy and nonconformity, and the audience delivered in riot. No one stood still — not with Sam diving into the crowd and mosh pits erupting like wildfire. A highlight came with guest DeathbyRomy joining for ‘Bang Your Head’, triggering a circle pit that shook the floor.
By the end, all three bands had turned the old warehouse into the kind of show your parents once warned you about — a forbidden taste of rebellion and chaos. Wargasm (UK) detonated with an energy rarely seen today, a thrill ride that burned fast and furious. The UK is leading a new wave of nu-metal electro-punk invasion and if Wargasm is any proof, it’s ready to arrive with a molotov in hand.
