Many memories have been shared at the old Claremont show grounds. Be it your first Royal Show or Big Day Out, everyone has had at least one awesome experience at this prestige venue. But the Robinson pavilion? A tin shed with zero acoustics. Still this does not deter people, especially the dedicated fans of Slipknot and Machine Head.

A lot of punters had been questioning the inclusion of Melbourne alt band Sydonia on the bill, suggesting that they should have had a more ‘Metal’ band to open the night. These nay-sayers were quickly proved wrong when the rumbling tribal drums of Rubber Bullets from their debut full length Given To Destroyers shook the crowd to it’s core. The distorted riffs stood out in contrast to the clean sound scape passages as did Dana Roskvist’s clean and guttural vocals, empahsising the heaviness and forcing the crowd into a mosh. One particular highlight was Machine Head’s skinman Dave McCLain joining them on stage for Bateria, the ominous drum jam. As stated, it was a highlight but did not at all overshadow the overall performance of Sydonia, a perfect warm up to the nights proceedings.

As soon as Sydonia left the stage, the machine-fuckin’-head chants started. A mighty roar threatened to take the roof off as the staple epic blackening track Clenching The Fists of Dissent began and font man Robert Flynn, lead axe Phil Demmel, Bassist Adam Duce and Dave McCLain walked on-stage.

The following for this band in Australia is simply huge. Fans practically destroyed themselves in brutal mosh and circle-pits to Imperium, Beautiful Mourning and Old.

If Machine Head revived their career with Through the Ashes of Empires, then they have surely cemented themselves into metal history with The Blackening. Flynn enticed the crowd to these cuts every two seconds by playing his guitar with his fret hand and raising the other in various gestures, the masses at his every command.

On their closing track Davidian, the Halloween obsessed Flynn invited the best dressed punter-a witch, up on stage to close their set, placed his guitar in her hands and encouraged her to rock out. A great moment where fan and band were brought back to the same level. The perfect support act for tonight’s headliners.

In stark contrast to Machine Head’s no-frills rock and roll show was Slipknot’s intro sequence. With the focus entirely on Drummer Joey Jordison’s scarecrow like gloves caressing his drum kit in a bird-like dance to Iowa, the other eight members of Slipknot took their positions, silent and ready. The unmistakable opening riff of Surfacing rang though the venue, pyrotechnics exploded and slipknot kicked into gear as did the crowd.

The energy of front man Corey Taylor was amazing. Never once did he let up, delivering his vocals with absolute control and precision. Crowd interaction was at an all time high with tracks such as The Blister Exists, Liberate, The Heretic Anthem as well as All Hope Is Gone singles Psychosocial and Dead Memories.

“I’m Glad we picked the right city to end our Australian tour in…Perth…the craziest city in fucking Australia!” Taylor exclaimed. Crazy indeed, as 50 or so brave souls risked life and limb to clamber up the pavilion to sit on the roof support beams. The best seats in the house, and were barely hassled by security.

Guitarists Mick Thomson and Jim Root shredded, bassist Paul Gray and Jordison kept a solid foundation while the other four members, percussionists and samplers alike, kept all corners of the crowd entertained at all times.

Spit it Out ended Slipknot’s lengthy, well crafted set. However, it was obvious they weren’t done as they returned to the stage to pulverize the ‘maggots’ one last time with an encore of People=Shit and (sic).

Overall the stage show was amazing. Scissor lift percussion kits, Pyro explosions, flames and a blinding light show. We can only hope Taylor’s aforementioned sentiment was true, and his vow to not wait three years to return because whether you love them or hate them, Slipknot entertain. You cannot deny that.