Don't ask me why I had ever seen AC/DC live before this show, because honestly, I couldn't tell 'ya. Maybe it's because they seemed pretty reliable over the last twenty five years or so, and it seemed like you could always count on them releasing a new album every few years, and then doing a massive world tour to support it. I guess I always thought, "I'll go see them next time." Well after waiting eight years for the release of their Black Ice album and realizing that they are not getting any younger, I was beginning to wonder if there was going to be a "next time." It was about damn time I experienced Angus and Co. live. Now I just wish I hadn't waited so long.
After opening the show with a very fitting short animated video featuring Angus Young as the conductor of an out of control train barreling down the tracks, the band hit the stage with full-on explosions, pyro, and a life-size locomotive behind them as they launched into Rock And Roll Train, the first single off of Black Ice. And from the first riff of Angus' Gibson SG, it was apparent that this show was going to be a good old-school arena rock n' roll show. Singer Brian Johnson was non-stop smiles as he belted out the classics while making his way up and down the rampwhich extended a good twenty-five feet or so from the stage and out onto the floor. "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be," "Back in Black," "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Thunderstruck," "Hells Bells" and "Shoot to Thrill" all sounded timeless and fresh, and Mr. Johnson seemed to be having the time of his life up there delivering them to the sold-out crowd. He had more energy and enthusiasm than some frontmen half his age, and to see him still so into the music after all these years was pretty damn cool. As for the new songs, "Big Jack," "Black Ice" and "War Machine all sounded great and flowed with the rest of the set list quite nicely. Photos and Review by: Raymond Ahner |
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