Few acts could get away with performing eight new songs at the opening night of a tour in London but at least it is proof that Massive Attack's first album in seven years actually exists. It is due early next year.

“A lot of bands might have started somewhere else and made it easy,” said Robert “3D” Del Naja at this first of three sold-out Brixton shows. Yet the unfamiliarity was rarely a problem, thanks to the consistently absorbing combination of their trip‑hop sound and stark visuals.

During a tentative duet between Del Naja and the other remaining member, Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, their live band built a satisfying groove from the drums, guitars and electronics. It is a curious partnership, though, with usually just one of them on stage. Indeed, neither was present when regular guest vocalist Horace Andy provided his honeyed vocals on another new song.

Martina Topley Bird has joined this tour and she got to perform a stunning, stripped-down Teardrop, as well as pulsing new song Psyche. But vocalist Deborah Miller got the pick of the tunes: Safe From Harm and the classic Unfinished Sympathy from 1991.

Massive Attack have become more obviously political since then and there were references to Guantanamo on the huge LED backdrop. But they were playful, too: headlines about Jordan, Eddie Izzard and Peter Mandelson scrolled along to the witches’ brew of clattering beats and guitar on Inertia Creeps.

Damon Albarn muscled in after the encore and sang the weary yet memorable Saturday Come Slow, a highlight of this intelligent performance. He deserves to be on that comeback album when Massive Attack do get round to releasing it.