”Hey London, this is the last night of our tour”, shouts an enthusiastic Corey Taylor from the Brixton Academy stage as hordes of adoring young fans scream an indecipherable noise back at him. “Last time we were here”, he continues, “we had the best fucking time ever, so tonight we’re going to make it even better”.

As the audience volume reach ear-aching levels in response to their idol’s statement, Stone Sour launch into their final night set. Having only heard the band’s recent, acoustic single prior to this gig I’m hoping for a bit more energy, and indeed noise, from a band that boasts two members of Slipknot. I get my wish and the guys knock out song after song of typically heavy proportions.

The last night of a tour can generally stir up a new lease of life from a band that’s been on the road for long durations of time, but occasionally this doesn’t happen and the vive is replaced by a ‘thank God it’s almost over’ feel. Sadly Corey seems to have adopted this approach tonight and, despite his early promises of making the gig one to remember at times he looks like he can’t wait to get off the stage.

The crowd seem oblivious to this and constantly chant Corey’s name, whilst he seems more content in throwing endless bottles of water into the mosh pit. New single ‘Inhale’ is dedicated to madam of the moment Kelly Osbourne, but the defining point of the set comes when Corey takes to the stage alone for an encore performance of the single ‘Bother’, before saying a fond farewell.

The Academy is surprisingly under-filled tonight. The balcony is completely empty and there’s even enough space on the ground floor I don’t have to unwillingly acquaint myself with a host of sweaty individuals, as is so often the case at this venue.

After a brief interval, co-headliners Murderdolls burst on to the stage and immediately there’s a far better feeling that sweeps around the auditorium. These guys have been in existence for little over a year, but they’re already taking the metal world by the scruff of the neck and making themselves noticed. Drummer excluded, the band barely stay in one place long enough for your eyes to settle and I’m faced with a constant blur of black and red dread locks, flailing limbs and throttled guitars as Slipknot’s Joey Jordison and co hurl themselves around the stage.

They might look a bit on the threatening side, but this lot are pure entertainment and loads of fun. Tracks like ‘Twist My Sister’, ‘Die My Bride’, ‘Dawn Of The Dead’ and ‘Dead In Hollywood’ are belted out in ear-piercing, blistering fashion and much of the crowd sings along and bangs their head in time.

An angry version of Billy Idol’s ‘White Wedding’ is thrown into the set and the comedy levels are turned up a notch as the bass player returns for the encore butt naked. “What happened, man?”  “You’ve lost all your clothes”, shouts frontman Wednesday 13.

For an event that was seemingly targeted at the Slipknot fanbase, it’s turned out to be a pretty entertaining evening for all.
(4/5)

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