Shockwave pretreatment is an emerging method of biomass intracellular disintegration that is currently the subject of intensifying research. Shockwave refers to the rapid spreading of pressure waves in a liquid environment. The current state of knowledge suggests that the best technology to make use of this phenomenon is wire explosion. This technology is based on releasing high-voltage discharge through a wire that is located between terminals embedded in a water-filled pressure vessel. The discharge sublimates the wire by converting its surface and surrounding water into plasma. This process is momentarily accompanied by ultrasound, ultraviolet radiation, heat, and the release of free radical particles. As the plasma rapidly expands in the immediate surroundings of the sublimated wire, the shockwaves omnidirectionally spread and then interfere with the walls of the vessel. More ways to generate shockwaves and numerous apparatus designs are being developed worldwide. It has repeatedly been proven that the passing of the shockwave through biomass is applicable in oil extraction, biowaste treatment, production of special foods, etc. It is concluded that miniaturization, adaptation to the parameters of the public power grid, and transition to continuous technology are mandatory for commercialization and the transfer of technology to other sectors.