Static-X, the next opener, was an improvement, but that’s not saying much. Hints of clever melodies and rhythms occasionally glimmered in their set, which included songs such as “Wisconsin Death Trip,” “Bleed For Days,” and “Push It.” Yet the overall result was underwhelming.

After an hour of thinking to myself, “It’s got to get better, it’s got to get better,” it finally did. Powerman 5000 took the stage and set the evening in motion with songs including “Tonight The Stars Revolt,” “Automatic,” and “Car Crash.” Their visual performance, as intriguing as the sonic assault of their aural one, included Spider One’s neon-green hair emerging from the darkness as he shined a red flood light on the audience.

Unlike many of their contemporaries, Powerman 5000 manage to succesfully blend a bold metal-rock sound with music that actually goes somewhere -- melodies that do more than simply bring the listener to the mosh pit. This is not to say, however, that their artistry kept them from being the energy-charged explosion that one would expect: there was not a single moment when the audience was not a frenzy of sweat and bodies.

Though allegedly sick, Spider One seemed in tip-top shape as he screamed the words to their songs with a power that others can’t achieve in perfect health.

After leaving the stage with a bang, the band returned for an encore and played “Good Times Roll,” along with a surprising cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” With neon lights illuminating silver clouds of confetti, the five members of Powerman 5000 stood majestically on-stage, closing the night with the entire audience chanting “rock, rock, rock!” Finally, here is a band that does.