There was no doubt Paul Gray was very much still with his Slipknot family tonight as the band returned to the live stage for the first time since his sudden and tragic death last year.

Standing symbolically at the back of the stage was their fallen brother's red jumpsuit, his mask and his bass guitar alongside his band mates, who also turned the clock back to don matching red jump suits and old school style masks.

It meant newly recruited bassist Donnie Steele, a long-time friend of the band and an original member, played Gray's bass parts from behind the curtain with Gray symbolically remaining a fixture on stage in what was the band's long-awaited return.

It is perhaps fitting that Slipknot's rebirth took place in the country where western civilisation is said to have begun.Singer Corey Taylor has made no secret of his terrible pain at losing his "brother' Paul Gray with many convinced his death signalled the end of the band.But just over a year later and Slipknot are back, and judging by the ringing in my ears, louder than ever after an ear-splitting, and heart wrenching metal masterclass on the Apollo Stage at Sonisphere's Greek Festival.

As Slipknot adopted their old style costumes for the historic show it meant their faces remained hidden for the entire length of their set but there was no disguising the emotion of the occasion as the gang all exchanged lingering hugs and high fives back stage in preparation for the show.

Even before they stepped onto the Apollo Stage the chants for "Slipknot' were deafening and there was no doubt this was going to be a momentous occasion.In glorious Greek sunshine the Iowa rockers exploded onto the stage with all the energy of panther in heat to kick off their set at breakneck pace with "(Sic)'.There was never any doubt frontman Taylor would take a moment to mark the enormity and significance of the occasion and when he did the 25,000 strong Athens crowd hushed to silence - hanging on his every word."It's been a long time," mused Taylor almost apologetically.

"Hello Athens, how are you? As you know tonight is very emotional show for us but it is not, NOT, a negative day. It is a positive day. A day for celebration. This is our first show - with you. Are you having a good time and will you celebrate with us today?"There was only one answer - a teeth rattling roar of approval.

As always it was a high energy, high octane performance full of bursts of pace, jumps, twists and turns, sandwiched between six-foot high flames and loud explosions on stage.The action even spilled into the crowd momentarily when turntablist Sid Wilson threw himself head over feet off the stage and into the crowd but they were so tightly packed there was never any danger of Wilson getting anywhere near the ground.Naturally the chat returned to Gray and the crowd led a chant of his name which caused a momentary silence on stage before Taylor began:

"This is very hard for us but he would have wanted us to come out with you all and celebrate his life."So will you all help me sing a song for my brother? Can you do that Athens? Sing so loud so he can hear us because he is here with us tonight. Can you feel it?"

Immediately the returning rock heroes launched into "Duality' as their tribute to a man who may be gone but will never, ever be forgotten.The band finished off with a triple dose of metal medicine in "Spit It Out', "People = Shit' and "Surfacing'. Closing off Taylor humbly thanked the crowd for playing their part in a night neither the band nor the Athens fans will ever forget saying:

"Thank you all for spending this night with us. You'll never know how much this means Athens."

by Eric Mackinnon, Rock AAA