Flames erupt from the stage, erratic fireworks shoot off into the October night sky and chainsaws whir in the hands of madmen. Satan’s minions have a power struggle over who will claim the souls of the living, but what sounds like hell on earth is just another night at House of Shock.
The New Orleans-based haunt celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and kicked off opening weekend with music, dancing, pyrotechnics, piercing and signature scare tactics.
Co-owner Ross Karpelman said House of Shock began its milestone weekend with a tribute to New Orleans voodoo.
Karpelman said the Krewe of Zulu made an appearance Friday night for the grand opening. The local parade members led the crowd in a second line dance, complete with witch doctors. The Krewe also collected toys for the Toys for Tots Foundation and featured a celebrity auction to raise funds.
The weekend continued with student night Saturday. House of Shock welcomed all college students who presented a student ID with a $5 discount. Students and audience members of all ages were entertained by local cover band The Chee-Weez, the traditional stage show and a new ride.
“Over the years, the House of Shock had grown to be a monster, no pun intended,” Karpelman said. “We’ve grown in every way possible. We’ve really seen an expansion of an outdoor Halloween.”
He said this year is bigger and better with a fire troupe, piercing troupe and a mechanical bull-like ride called the Arachniride, which resembles a giant bucking spider. He also said this year will include the most pyrotechnics House of Shock has ever seen.
Another feature House of Shock offers is the spectacle that is Pain Tribe. Pain Tribe is comprised of 10 members who engage in ritualistic piercing, body suspension by hooks, dancing and playing with fire.
Head piercer Michael Peterse has been a member of the tribe for about 12 years, and he said Pain Tribe has been a part of House of Shock for close to a decade. House of Shock has become somewhat of a home to the Pain Tribe, considering most of their other performances are at sporadic locations.
Jeremy “Chop” Wilson, another member of Pain Tribe, has been getting punctured for four years.
“I’ve taken hooks in every place,” Wilson said with a smile. “I’ve had hooks in my face, knees and chest, you name it.”
Wilson said it does hurt to be pierced and suspended, but the members are able to channel out most of the discomfort.
“About 80 percent of battling the pain is simply mind over matter,” Wilson explained.
Distinct acts like Pain Tribe are just one way House of Shock differentiates itself from other local haunted houses.
“We’re a totally different event, at other places you feel safe and you’re kept behind a velvet rope — not here,” Karpelman said. “Our attraction is almost like being on an acid trip — you just have to give yourself over to it.”
Karpelman said there’s a lot to look forward to this Halloween season at House of Shock, with a bounty of band performances, new rides and general good times.
House of Shock will be open every Friday and Saturday night leading up to All Hallows’ Eve.
