Another sweaty night at the Annandale is just another weekend, and another night, for Rocket Science – who donned their top hats for their return of balls-out rock ’n’ roll to Sydney.

The Annandale was packed to the brim. It seems the message is finally out that Rocket Science is back. A recent support of the Dirtbombs and the eve of their album release have nudged Sydney fans into action, proving they are moving from strength-to-strength, reeling in new followers and drawing out their loyalists.

Opening with distinctive rolling drums of Being Followed from 2002’s Contact High, perched behind the flip top organ, Roman Tucker’s mad preacher moves had the audience enthralled with thrashing heads. The aforementioned top hats, combined with mood lighting and Psychic Man transformed the stage into psychedelic carnivale delight.

So maybe delight and Rocket Science don’t generally sit well together – but Rocket Science was a delight and a sensory overload. I even had to block my ears at one point, as the assault of guitar joined with the whirring of bashed organ was taking a toll. Of course in all the right ways. The band are as tight as ever – no analogy required, you get the idea. The crazy scientist is back and in a sweat in a moment, carefully ripping another layer of clothing off at the conclusion of each annihilating song, until finally only bare chest is exposed.

And so Roman marched and punched and electrified the crowd, jumping into the pit of adoring fans. Unflinching, the band continued into an encore. They played a collection of songs from their previous offerings, whilst honing in on their new material (and carrying a Rocket Science towel – interesting but well necessitated choice for merch).

Roman Tucker was at his best, a man possessed by the spirit of rock ’n’ roll. In a time when music is dominated by indie upstarts (though we love them, of course), it’s refreshing to witness a return to our roots; the reason why we fell in love with seeing live music in the first place.

After what has been a challenging time, 2008 brings forth a renewed Rocket Science, storming into our hearts once again. Psychic Man set to re-ignite the rock ’n’ roll fire. Let me tell you, those who attended left more than satisfied.