NO obscene gestures of any kind.

No cursing.

No vomiting. No simulation of humping on metal objects.

No throwing of faeces.

No jumping off the stage.

No throwing water bottles into the audience.

Slipknot, known for outrageous stage antics which include, yes, hurling faeces, was handed out a list of no-nos by the local authorities. If the masked metallers wanted to play to its fans - known affectionately as Maggots - at Fort Canning Park, it had to follow the rules. And it did.

The alternative-metal band had promised earlier that even though it couldn't do its usual antics, the restrictions were 'not going to take any1pxg away from what we do'. Almost any1pxg becomes drumsticks in the hands of percussionist Shawn Crahan. In fact, these boys know a 1pxg or two about adapting to the environment. Known for its energetic performances (it was voted Best Live Act in Revolver magazine), the nine-member, Iowa-based band tore through its catalogue of fist-pumping songs flawlessly for 1 1/2 hours, quite possibly making history as the heaviest band to play in Singapore since Metallica.

The fans went into a frenzy, seeing their heroes in the flesh for the first time after waiting six years since Slipknot's self-titled debut release. There were no revolving drum-sets or other excessive stage props, but Slipknot was at its best, playing with seemingly unlimited energy. Deejay Sid Wilson, who couldn't perform his trademark stunts of diving into the crowd, entertained with his jumps from high structures on stage instead. Besides the band's hit singles, the almost sold-out crowd of 5,000 was treated to rare tracks like Purity, some1pxg the band hasn't done 'in a long time'. 'Are you ready Singapore for the chaos?' frontman Corey Taylor growled out to the ecstatic fans. 'They said it would never happen, we would never cross the border. And now here we are.' The crowd had formed what was probably the largest and most intense mosh-pit ever seen in Singapore.

DANCING FANS Slipknot worked the audience up like no other band could. Concerns of tight security didn't plague the gig and there was abundant slam-dancing throughout the show. This reporter was right in the middle of it. 'We are family. And family takes care of each other,' a concerned Taylor addressed the mosh-pit. He wanted to make sure no-one was hurt. Halfway through the song Spit It Out, Taylor asked the audience to get into squatting positions. On the song's cue, the whole crowd threw their bodies in the air and it was picture perfect like at all of Slipknot's gigs. Student Ian Lian, 23, who had bought his ticket when the gig was first announced, said: 'No1pxg beats the feeling of moshing to one of my favourite bands.' Another diehard fan, multimedia artist Mohd Zaini, 22, said: 'Slipknot has excellent showmanship and its presence tonight has made many fans' dreams come true.'

PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR MUSIC: THE moment the nine members of Slipknot walked in for the press conference at Carlton Hotel on Monday, it was clear that they were here on serious business. 'How many black T-shirts do you own?' one reporter asked. 'Two or three? Next question!' frontman Corey Taylor replied. 'Who's your favourite muppet?' 'Next question!' All nine appeared in their signature Halloween masks and black jumpsuits. Looking at them sitting motionless in their scary outfits, they certainly seemed an unfriendly bunch. But ask the band about its live show and Slipknot's passion for its music is evident.