ItÔÇÖs the first day of the clocks going back and the first day of Killing JokeÔÇÖs UK tour. The early darkness is appropriate for a band like them, whose gothic sensibilities provided inspiration to many of musicÔÇÖs darker artists, be that Metallica or LCD Soundsystem. Two days after the release of new Killing Joke album ÔÇÿPylonÔÇÖ, Cardiff Student UnionÔÇÖs, Y Plas, fills up with an enthusiastic crowd, many of whom you imagine havenÔÇÖt been actual students in decades.

Opening band Asylums from Southend-on-Sea kick things off with their lively pop rock. TheyÔÇÖre coming back to the venue as support to Ash on December 14, but thereÔÇÖs no sense of unfinished business after tonightÔÇÖs energetic set.

For a band with as much of a taste for creating an atmosphere as Killing Joke, their set doesnÔÇÖt begin perfectly. Singer Jaz Coleman is first seen shouting at the sound man onstage. This makes the mood on opener ÔÇÿAutonomous ZoneÔÇÖ lack a bit of power. But even with no big hits towards the start, after a few songs Killing Joke overcome ÔÇÿfirst night of the tour syndromeÔÇÖ and sound truly energised, especially on the newer ÔÇÿDeleteÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿI am┬áthe VirusÔÇÖ. Coleman dances around the stage, his presence more Alice Cooper-style pantomime drama than Robert Smith-style ambient reflection.

Especially in the same week as Back To The Future Day, it would have been tempting for the group to trip back to the eighties quite a bit. But there are noticeable absences of hits ÔÇÿLove Like BloodÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿEightiesÔÇÖ and the much-requested ÔÇÿThe WaitÔÇÖ. ItÔÇÖs amazing just how well-received and generally complete the set is without them, though.

In a brief speech halfway through the set, Jaz Coleman outlines his opposition to billions being spent on Trident. A stance that sums up the whole show; even with a lack of bombs dropped, the performance and its setlist is incredibly effective.

ALEC EVANS