Detroit - The air was drenched with anticipation as two hours of opening bands and tension-charged sound checks had passed.

Silence hushed over the sweaty crowd as the darkness devoured the stage.

The unbearable longing ended with a kick of the bass drum and familiar, guitar-churning riffs. The ground shook, swallowing the entire crowd and regurgitating them further into the alluring intoxication of what lay ahead.

It had begun - on May 29, St. Andrew’s Hall fell victim to the infestation of Papa Roach.

The rap-rock collaboration was at it again, delivering new material to the eagerly hungry crowd.

Papa Roach kicked off the show with “M-80 (Explosive Energy Movement),” a straightforward tribute to rock ‘n’ roll from its upcoming sophomore album “lovehatetragedy” which hits the streets June 18.

St. Andrew’s provided the perfect atmosphere. The small venue enabled the thousand fans to see the band, interact with other fans and feed off the electric energy - absorbing every moment.

“I got to see Papa Roach at the Palace of Auburn Hills and I saw them at ‘Ozzfest,’ but it was amazing to see them in a small club like this,” West Bloomfield resident Jordan Rosen said. “It makes the experience much more special and personal for everyone.”

Fans also were stunned by a surprise appearance from Taproot’s Stephen Richards, vocalist of the Ann Arbor-based band.

Richards was invited to sing the emotionally charged “Broken Home” with frontman Jacoby Shaddix, smoothly switching between verses to intensify an already poignant song.

As with any progressing band, Shaddix’s lyrical content has evolved since 2000s “Infest.” The enraged high school kid’s journal of years gone wrong growing up has matured into dealing with relationships, life in the spotlight and the surrounding world.

The audience was treated to the new album’s title track, captivated by its opening melodic guitar arpeggio, abruptly into familiar power chords with earnest lyrics, “Hate and destruction crashed down our world/The stars and the stripes/The boys and the girls/It’s sad it took war just to bring us together/I believe in love/I believe in forever.”

Papa Roach is never afraid to take risks and get closer to the people.

In the midst of performing, Shaddix scaled the towering amplifiers to reach the fans in the upper level and ran to the bar singing every step of the way. While the fans enjoyed the display of enthusiasm, security guards weren’t so pleased.

“This guy’s crazy,” said one guard, as he attempted to pull Shaddix back to the stage.

Crazy - yes. Crazy with respect for the fans that helped Papa Roach reach this pinnacle and defining moment.

Not once did the band refuse to show a gesture of love and appreciation.