At the risk of being that prick that vomits the twists and ending to all the movies you were planning to see, everything you’ve heard about the Biffy Clyro live show is true; the boys fucking rock!

Local indie-rock 4 piece Montpellier is a slick choice of opener. Their classy offering of very original originals strike up giant-killer comparisons from Arcade Fire to Foals. Deliciously layered vocals soar while simple but sharp drumming keeps the seams tightly sewn. A slow funk-blues track mid-set throws what turns out to be a golden spanner. As the set builds to a climatic close, the steadily growing crowd is totally sold and as the Brisbane boys disappear from view, they do so with a stack of new fans.

The all-too-long wait is measured out in hooligan-esque chants that swell from “Bi-ffy (clap, clap, clap)” to “Mon-tha-Biff, Mon-tha-Biff..” and back again via several other less audible versions. As the heavy black curtains part and an empty stage is revealed, an a Capella tune is piped through the PA. Judging by the scattered, yet hearty chorus brewing in the crowd, on can only surmise that this is a traditional folk-song from the heartland of Scotland. Before the song can run it’s course 3 rugged looking lads scurry onto the stage and sling their instruments or themselves into position. A nod to each other, then a nod to the crowd and the onslaught begins.

Frantic riffing and gatling drums shoot dead any question marks floating in the vicinity of the band’s new material. Long term fans are forgiven for being worried as Biffy Clyro’s last two releases Puzzle and Only Revolutions propelled the Scottish rockers into a somewhat mainstream spotlight, with crystal clear production and (the latter-mentioned especially) their pop-stylised accessibility, however the Biffy Clyro of the first three albums is the one on stage tonight.

Each album get’s a good visiting but Biffy never overstay their welcome. As is expected the fifth and latest release Only Revolutions gets some extra-special attention with That Golden Rule being the first punch thrown. Justboy and the anthemic 57 from the debut album Blackened Sky hit early and hit hard. There Is No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake allows enigmatic frontman Simon Neil his first real screamo release and the animalistic display is wholly eaten up. Roughly mid-set a KORG beatmixer get sidled along bassist James Johnson. When he strikes up a dirgy calypso-funk there’s a tangible unease in the air, but when Ben Johnson groovily strikes the cowbells Born On A Horse appears and very nearly claims highlight of the night. Who’s Got A Match? also goes along way to igniting the venue but it’s definitely the night of Biffy’s latest album Only Revolutions with tracks Bubbles, Many Of Horror_, God and Satan and Mountains all getting an ultra-solid working.

When roadies are standing in plain view, it seems a bit self indulgent to make a crowd whistle, chant and scream for five minutes for an encore. But the mass obliges and the boys finally make a return. Neil’s heart-wrenching solo acoustic rendering of Machines is breathtaking and with just enough time gasp, the current apple of the AFL’s eye swings round to knock the wind right back out. The Captain is a perfect example of what Biffy Clyro do so well. Complex chord progressions, abstract time signatures, multi-layered vocals and verses, bridges and pre-choruses that could, for any other band, consummate a head-sticking chorus. There’s no predictable format to a Biffy Clyro song. There’s no predictable title to a Biffy Clyro Song. There’s no way of predicting where Biffy Clyro’s next album will go but if you want to see one of the best live rock shows of your life, put the house on Biffy Clyro.