You're laughing, but your eyes are wide and you're still trying to get over the shock of what you've just heard.

Panicked laughter is the best way to describe it — and there was plenty of it at Doug Stanhope's show at Leeds O2 Academy last night.

Of course, the vast majority of the audience knew what to expect — the US comic has a cult following in the UK, thanks to the internet and Stanhope's turn on Charlie Brooker's Newswipe as 'the Voice of America'.

But it doesn't quite soften the blow when you hear his brutal, no-holds-barred stand-up live and uncut.

That's not to say it's not brilliant. Stanhope, from Bisbee, Arizona, barely disguises his contempt for his audience — as he rants away, you either go along for the ride or you leave. He's not going to pander to you.

He's foul-mouthed, but he's not doing to make people gasp — he ventures into the darkest corners of comedy, where few comedians dare to go, but there's a genuine passion in his material.

Doug Stanhope is back in the UK
Doug Stanhope is back in the UK

He's not pushing the boundaries of subjects like ISIS, mental illness and gun massacres for easy shock value — he wants to move his audience out of their comfort zone and look at things differently.

That's what separates him from comics like Frankie Boyle, that cash in on saying something deliberately offensive — Stanhope's material is intelligent, free-thinking and anarchic.

However crude and aggressive the delivery, he challenges society's ills and hypocrisies in an enlightening, unapologetic way, and makes some very clever observations.

That said, there are still moments where his comedy reverts back to dark, unrepeatable, gut-punching chaos.

And he described the Leeds audience as 'tepid' and a 'blind date that hasn't worked out', even prompting one fan to shout "What do we have to do, Doug?" He didn't know.

But comedians like Stanhope are refreshing. Turning traditional, pally stand-up on its head, his set was challenging; a rollercoaster ride of politics, societal anguish and brutal honesty. And I'm glad I got on board.

Doug Stanhope's UK tour runs until October 17, with dates in Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Bath, Sheffield and Manchester.

For tickets and more information visit his website.