Since the release of their debut full-length last year, Baroness have been building up quite a head of steam, one which the Water Rats is having difficulties keeping a lid on tonight. Absolutely jammed in, the capacity crowd is completely at the mercy of main-support Kylesa, and that suits them just fine. Unleashing a wealth of dirty guitar riffery it’s the pounding, twin drummers who do the most damage. When they lock into a groove it’s simply unstoppable, painfully brilliant and played at an ear-bleeding volume.

Baroness are more than up to the task of following this assault, though; their sunburned, dusty riffs giving off an initially timeless, soothing feel, which proceeds to slowly erupt into pounding waves of noise. Feeding off the immense energy coming from the crowd, they return it tenfold over and over, in particular guitarist Brian Blickle who seems to just love firing out riffs and solos. Beside him, centre stage, bassist Summer Welch looks like a reject from a thrash band with his sleeveless top and unruly locks, clicks, key in lock. Drummer Allen Blickle provides a secure core around which the guitarists can play around in.

Bathed in red and orange light Baroness - John Baizley in particular, as he bellows his way through ‘Isak’ and ‘Wanderlust’, smiling broadly - look like they’re enjoying themselves. There’s no pretence of being cool. There’s certainly no fashion posturing. This is good honest, hard-working, hard-rocking music that you can let yourself go to in the free-flowing interludes. Pits may open up occasionally but the best way to experience it seems to be to let it throw you around as it sees fit.

By the time Baroness roll out ‘Teeth Of A Cogwheel’, the entire room has reached a euphoric level. It builds and builds, wheeling upwards, culminating in a huge lift that leaves both band and audience elated. Thankfully they end it then, as there’s simply no earthly way they could top it, and no-one even dares to call for an encore.

An astonishing performance: musicians and observers alike are drained and (needless to say, perhaps) more than slightly deaf. Chances are you’re never going to see them in a venue like this again. But you should certainly try.