Think of a Queens Of The Stone Age live show, and you probably envisage volume, riffs, and full-throttle rock music. What you probably weren’t expecting is candles, string arrangements, and a mind-blowing guest turn from Matt Berry. But then, fans were warned from the outset that tonight’s set at historic London venue Royal Albert Hall wouldn’t be like normal shows – indeed, with the Hallowe’en timing, it took on the veneer of the paranormal.

Wrapping up their Catacombs tour in style, Queens Of The Stone Age tapped into other-wordly energies, maintaining their trademark intensity but expressing it in a different way. Utilising strings, horns, a variety of percussion, and keys, they resembled aspects of the Violent Femmes or Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, but with an illicit, lawless charm all of their own.

It helps, of course, that Josh Homme remains one of rock’s pre-eminent frontmen, someone who is eminently watchable in any circumstance. Stalking the stage with a lamp – or, at one stage, a butcher’s cleaver – he channels both hypnotic theatre and genuine danger. A magnetic figure, his frequent forays into the crowd spark mayhem from female members of the crowd, and disgusted glances from jealous boyfriends. There’s also a few dick jokes here, too – nothing was left to the imagination.

The music, though, is where Queens Of The Stone Age thrive. Eschewing volume and welcoming the acoustic – it’s not quite an ‘unplugged’ show, but it’s certainly not far off – we’re treated to a glorious three-act run that moves from fan-favourites to deep cuts, and even something brand new.

‘Running Joke / Paper Machete’ is an excellent opener, the band visibly stretching their limbs onstage. Them Crooked Vultures warhorse ‘Spinning In Daffodils’ is given an all-too-rare outing during the second act, while the finale includes a scorching, near-orchestral ‘The Vampyre Of Time And Memory’ and a Michael Shuman vocalled ‘Auto Pilot’.

New song ‘Easy Street’ has a fun salsa vibe, with the audience encouraged to clap along – there’s also a dual guitar solo which is part LA sleaze and part Frippotronic wig-out.

Josh Homme is clearly in his element, both berating and entertaining the crowd. There’s no barrier here, and at one point he reflects on his prior physicality during concerts, coming close to apologising. It’s all personal growth, but it’s balanced by a cheeky sense of humour. Brushing away security, he quips: “I don’t need protection… I need affection!”

Closing with ‘Long Slow Goodbye’, Queens Of The Stone put the venue’s historic organ to good use, with some volcanic chords erupting from the massive instrument. Josh Homme and Michael Shuman take the vocal a capella, before the organist reveals his identity with a flourish – it’s Matt Berry! Truly a finale for the ages, it sums up the impeccable detail, and lavish entertainment that Queens Of The Stone Age has bestowed on this catacombs era – let’s hope it isn’t buried for eternity.

SET LIST:

Act I
Running Joke / Paper Machete
Kalopsia
Villains of Circumstance
Suture Up Your Future
I Never Came

Act II
Someone’s in the Wolf / A Song for the Deaf / Straight Jacket Fitting
Mosquito Song
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
Spinning in Daffodils (Them Crooked Vultures cover)

Act III
“You Got a Killer Scene There, Man…”
Hideaway
The Vampyre of Time and Memory
Auto Pilot (Michael Shuman on vocals)
Easy Street (new song)
Fortress
…Like Clockwork

Encore:
Long Slow Goodbye 
(Joshua Homme and Michael Shuman a capella, with Matt Berry on the Royal Albert Hall Organ)