In a spectacle as grand and theatrical as the man himself, Dave Brockie, better known as Oderus Urungus, was sent off in a Viking funeral at Hadad’s Lake in Richmond, Virginia. The ceremony, held during the 2014 GWAR B-Q, saw Brockie’s stage-worn Oderus Urungus costume set ablaze on a boat, launched into the lake, and ignited with a flaming arrow, marking the final farewell to GWAR’s legendary frontman.
Brockie, who passed away in March 2014, was the creative force behind GWAR, a band that blurred the lines between music, theater, and utter chaos. His passing left an undeniable void, but the public memorial ensured that his spirit would be celebrated with the same larger-than-life energy that defined his career.
A Eulogy from a Friend and Fellow Frontman
As the flames consumed Oderus’ armor and the cuttlefish codpiece stood proudly, longtime friend Randy Blythe of Lamb of God addressed the crowd, delivering an emotional tribute that captured the weight of the moment:
“Tonight we sent Oderus home in a fitting manner at the public memorial for Dave Brockie. A blazing Viking ship with Oderus laid out in it, the cuttlefish pointing proudly straight up. Watching my friend Dave’s costume go up in flames in front of a thousand fans was so much more intense for me than the private memorial for friends & family we had April Fool’s Day. I spoke at both of them, as GWAR asked me to, & both times as I spoke I was sad. But watching his alter-ego burn tore me up way more than the first memorial, maybe because there was Dave, the human who was my friend who just ‘left us’—I never saw his body—& then there was Oderus, who was something entirely else. To watch his stage gear burn was like watching part of my life literally go up in flames. I was sobbing my eyes out as I took this photo. It was just a super-intense moment. Very beautiful, but overwhelming. Fly free, Oderus—you are missed.”
A Legacy That Refuses to Burn Out
For those who stood on the shores of Hadad’s Lake that night, watching the flames rise, it was more than just a funeral—it was a sendoff worthy of a rock and roll warlord.
Brockie’s death marked the end of an era, but his impact on music and performance art remains as untamed as ever. His legacy continues through GWAR’s ongoing chaos, the fans who keep the myth alive, and the unforgettable image of Oderus Urungus disappearing into the flames, a warrior returning to the stars.
