Alice in Chains @ Barrowlands, 12 Nov

It’s fitting that Alice in Chains’ first European tour with new material in 16 years should begin within the dusty climes of the Barrowlands. Having documented their fabled 1993 turn at the venue by releasing the gig as a Live album, there’s a bittersweet symmetry to seeing this new incarnation of the Seattle outfit return to the same stage without late frontman Layne Staley.

Naysayers to the union are hushed once William DuVall wraps his vowels around It Ain’t Like That’s unmistakable slow grind with unwavering conviction, proving that – although Staley was a one off – this is more Back in Black than Queen featuring Paul Rodgers.

A steamrollering salvo of sludge metal classics culled from the opening chapter of seminal sophomore offering Dirt follow, before a sombre unplugged session finds ballads like Down in a Hole comfortably rubbing shoulders with the title track to new album (and ostensible Staley eulogy) Black Gives Way to Blue.

Crowd interaction is minimal until Jerry Cantrell comes out to 'freeball' in a kilt and sincerely profess the band's affection for its Scottish following. A crowd that roars the lyrics to closing numbers Would? and Rooster back at him suggests the feeling's mutual. [Johnny Langlands]