“It’s shortly before 6pm, and things are getting rowdy in Hammersmith. As the never-ending stream of maggots and seasoned metalheads alike grows longer still, the missiles begin to fly, and the impatient forward surges begin. Already this is clearly going to be one hell of an evening. Lead act Mastodon are clearly insane geniuses as they serve up a simply staggering yet criminally short 20 minute set, before Hardcore champs Hatebreed whip the eager crowd into a suitable and circular-motioned frenzy. However, neither act could prepare the thousands of attendees for what was about to follow: Slayer are quite possibly the most important and perhaps even greatest metal band that has ever existed. Judging from the seemingly endless chants of í¢ä‰åñSlayerí¢ä‰åŒ and the deafening roar that greets their arrival, many would seem to agree. Any doubters are surely silenced when songs like ‘Disciple’ and ‘Dead Skin Mask’ turn the floor into a sea of relentless neck-thrusting aggression, meaning you can do little more than follow suit safe in the knowledge that on this occasion, you’ve simply been overpowered. Slipknot aren’t exactly slouches either, particularly where overwhelming energy and generally crushing brutality are concerned. Despite the absence of Samples man Craig Jones, the band promptly set about tearing down the very rafters of this historic theatre. Tracks such as ‘(sic)’ and ‘Eyeless’ are performed with the ferocity that few other modern day acts could possibly deliver, just as forthcoming single ‘Vermilion’ displays a band that can be darker and more sinister than you could have ever anticipated. If you were in attendance – you’ll understand just how breathtaking the evening was on occasion. If you weren’t í¢ä‰åäóì shame on you.” 8/10 Ryan Bird www.musicstuff.co.uk