LIVE FROM THE PIT: Gama Bomb and Raised By Owls

Embarking on their UK tour, Gama Bomb have graced us with their presence over to England from Northern Ireland to show off their trash metal style with the satirical extreme metal band known for their comedy skits and crowd-engaging music, Raised by Owls from Derbyshire.

Kicking the night off with electrifying energy, Raised by Owls take the stage as the opening act, instantly commanding the crowd’s attention. The audience erupts with enthusiasm as the band launches into the chaotic brilliance of ‘Satanist’s on t’Yorkshire Moors’, a fan-favourite track from one of their earlier records. The energy in the room is palpable, but things take a truly surreal turn with the arrival of a surprise guest — none other than the infamous Mr Blobby. Clad in his signature pink and yellow polka dots, he bounds onto the stage, wildly swinging two double-ended dildos in rhythm to the riotous track ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. The crowd loses it. For many, it’s an absurd collision of nostalgia and adult absurdity — witnessing a distorted childhood icon now gloriously unhinged in a metal-fueled fever dream.

The chaos continues as the show takes an unexpected turn into full-blown game show territory, complete with quirky prizes and crowd participation. The highlight of the segment? A dance-off challenge to see who could best imitate none other than Napalm Death frontman Barney Greenway. With a tongue-in-cheek flair, the band bursts into their hilariously aggressive track ‘Dance Like Barney Greenway’, prompting the pit to transform into a makeshift stage. Dozens of eager fans dive in, flailing limbs and stomping with primal intensity, each trying to outdo the others with the most unhinged interpretation of Barney’s signature moves.

As the night hurtles toward its climax, the band delivers a thunderous cover of ‘Break Stuff’ by Limp Bizkit. But of course, it wouldn’t be a Raised by Owls show without one final twist — they bring out the ‘Nookie Monster’, a hilariously unholy hybrid of Cookie Monster decked out in full Fred Durst attire, complete with red cap. The crowd is in stitches, moshing and laughing in equal measure.

Throughout it all, frontman Sam keeps the vibe alive with his sharp wit and constant banter, making sure every single person in the venue feels part of the mayhem. Raised by Owls don’t just play a show — they put on a riotous, bizarre, and unforgettable experience. If you haven’t caught them live yet, make it a priority.

Then it was time for the headliners — the mighty Gama Bomb — and the anticipation in the room was electric. As soon as they hit the stage, the energy surged, with fans immediately locking in, primed for the onslaught of thrash-fuelled chaos. The band wasted no time, tearing into ‘Electric Pentacle’ with blistering speed, triggering an instant mosh pit as the crowd erupted into a frenzy of flailing limbs and headbanging.

Without missing a beat, they launched into ‘666 Sixteen’, and that's when things truly kicked off. In a wild burst of adrenaline, frontman Philly Byrne leapt off the side of the stage and plunged straight into the crowd. A circle pit instantly formed around him, fans swirling in a whirlpool of pure metal mayhem as he belted out lyrics from the eye of the storm.

As the set wore on, the energy in the room began to noticeably dip. While the tracks kept coming, there was a sense that the band’s enthusiasm had started to wane — their stage presence growing increasingly static, as if their minds were already somewhere else. In stark contrast, the vocalist pressed on with unwavering commitment, doing his best to rally the crowd and keep the momentum alive. Despite his efforts, much of the set began to blur together, with many of the songs sounding tonally similar, creating a sense of monotony. Slowly, clusters of audience members drifted away toward the bar or out into the beer garden, in search of a break from the lull.

But just as the mood threatened to flatline completely, the band threw a curveball, they summoned Snowy “The Gamabominable” Snowman during their track ‘Bring Out the Monster’. Towering, ridiculous, and gloriously absurd, Snowy's entrance was exactly the jolt the room needed. The dullness vanished as quickly as it had settled, replaced by laughter, cheers, and a renewed wave of movement — a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a giant snowman to bring a show back to life.

While the night was billed as Gama Bomb’s tour, there was no denying that Raised By Owls completely stole the spotlight. Their chaotic brilliance, unrelenting energy, and sheer unpredictability set an almost impossibly high bar early on — one that lingered long after they left the stage. Their performance felt like a masterclass in how to entertain, leaving the crowd buzzing with adrenaline and laughter.

By comparison, Gama Bomb’s set, though packed with potential, left us wanting more. What should have been a triumphant headline slot felt somewhat underwhelming, like a rollercoaster that never quite hit its final drop. As the lights came up, we couldn’t help but feel a little unfulfilled, as though the night had peaked too soon.

Words: Ciara Hicks-Evans

Photos: Noah Collins