Realising a new level of brutality, Chimaira are back promoting their new brand of heavy metal. While their astoundingly heavy recent album was jam-packed full of consistently great songs, the life-changing tracks on there were not quite as plentiful. Nonetheless, when played live they are a totally new proposition. Bursting onto the stage in a blaze of smoke and strobe light, the Ohio sextet pummels the crowd into near submission with their thrashy blend of Pantera’s sludge metal guitars, Fear Factory’s rapid-fire drumming and the grizzly, screamed vocals that epitomise the current kings of the American metal scene.

Taking the metal band to the theatre always leaves opportunity for overblown showmanship and posturing and when the thunderous intro of ‘Salvation’ is blasted through the speakers, it gives frontman Mark Hunter the perfect opportunity to stand menacingly – head bowed, breathing heavily – upon the raised platform between the drum riser and the orna(mental) keyboardist until it is time to explode into life, screaming every virtue forth into the giant moshpit he sees in front of him.

If their recent Chimaira album holds no amazing tracks along a stellar line of consistent ferocity, then their sophomore effort The Impossibility of Reason was half filler, but equally half killer. It was here that they began to hone their modern thrash style, moving away from their sadly nu-metally debut. Tracks like the frantically whipped ‘Power Trip’ and the impressive harmonies of ‘Down Again’ still stand out in tonight’s set.

But yeah, about that unnecessary appendage controlling the keyboards and the samples. Why? Is Chris Spicuzza merely a throwback from days gone? There's only one thoroughly annoying and actually quite baffling point where you can really hear him over Matt DeVries’ magnificently crunching power chords and Rob Arnold’s frequently remarkable solowork. Get rid. Trim the fat. Whatever.

This one gripe shouldn’t detract from the impressive performance Chimaira give tonight. They play much of their recent album as well as select cuts from their young back catalogue and none of it gives any time for relaxation. Mention a power ballad to this band and expect laughter at very least. This is 100% Heavy Metal.