Muse and the mothership descend on Valley View

Once spurned as another Radiohead rip-off, Muse has grown into a band with its own identity. With hints of Queen in its blood, Muse makes unique, bombastic arena rock. And rock they did at the Valley View Casino Center.

Kicking off with the dubstep-influenced “The 2nd Law: Unsustainable,” the British trio utilized enough lasers and strobe lights to trigger a seizure. The centerpiece of the show, though, was a giant pyramid structure that televised strange images. When the structure first descended, it resembled the mothership from the conclusion of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, ready to abduct us hapless Muse fans. As the concert progressed, the giant pyramid engulfed the band and all went dark. Then the screens flashed on and a haunting mini-movie set to the delicate piano of “The 2nd Law: Isolated System” played out. The band then emerged triumphant and bashed out the hard-rocking “Uprising.”

Playing mostly hits and material from their latest album, The 2nd Law, Muse knew what the crowd wanted and gave it to them in spades. As an added bonus, they played “The Star-Spangled Banner” as a nod to the inauguration of President Obama that occurred earlier that day.

• Concert: Muse
• Date: January 21
• Venue: Valley View Casino Center
• Seats: General (pit)