Well, this was a concert that has been requested by the Greek Metal community for many years but for some reasons it just had not happened. The first (and only) reason I can think of is the promoters 'fear' whether they would be able to handle this kind of super star band. The truth is that AC/DC have their own demands when it comes to concerts; first they want to be held in stadiums with a decent capacity (lets say more than 40 thousands) with the proper space to host their huge stage set. Secondly they want part from the tickets sales but this is not for the fan to consider. So, after many years the Australian legends came to Greece for a live experience that is to be remembered for many years.

Olympic Stadium is the ideal and probably the only place to have events like this since it is close to public transport, has some parking space and gives the fan the opportunity to choose where he_she likes to watch the show sitting or standing at the arena. So, after a short and kind of pleasant walk through the structures built for the Olympic Games of 2004 we entered the arena. The weather was excellent and the feeling to have an AC/DC experience was all over the place. The audience covered a really wide age range adding a celebration finishing touch that lifted the overall high mood a little bit more.

Right on schedule (yes, things like this happen in Greece sometimes) the Irish band THE ANSWER got on stage. I had my doubts about their performance prior to their appearance and I feel that they were confirmed. It is really hard (and most of the times impossible) for a 'young' band to manage to fill this huge stage that is built around an even bigger name. Despite their honest attempt THE ANSWER did not pull this off. Ok, there was energy on-stage with Cormac Neeson and Paul Mahon on the leading roles but something was missing. Maybe it was the unaware audience or the limited sound volume but personally I did not get pumped up by their high mood 80s Hard Rock. The guitar was most of the time 'buried' while the vocals came too weak to enjoy them. The band did songs from their two albums with Demon Eyes, On And On and their hit Under The Sky as the only highlights I can spot. I am sure now that this band can deliver way much better inside small clubs with an audience that is familiar to their music.

So, after the Irish company had left the stage the crew started preparing everything for AC/DC. During this 30 minute pause I looked over the heteroclite crowd and got the feeling that it would not deliver the expected energy and affection to AC/DC. Nevertheless, (again) right on schedule the lights went out and in the center video wall the animated story of AC/DC coming was the first thing we got from them. And then some explosions split the video wall in two and welcomed the 'destroyed' train that follows the Black Ice concept. Rock 'n' Roll Train was the first song heard that night and the dream was on! The minor sound problems went totally unnoticed since they were 'covered' by the strong anticipation and the overwhelming enthusiasm. Angus Young proved for the millionth time that he is a hell-of-a-performer despite his age! He was running and he was sweating his ass off without losing with magical guitar touch. Brian Johnson was the usual old school figure and had a deeper and harsher voice than usual but that's ok! Hell Ain't A Bad Place and the time for the first 'hit' had come; the trademark guitar arpeggio of Back In Black lift everyone up joining Brian in almost all the lyrics. Clearly (and that was a minor turn off) most of the audience (no I cannot use the term 'metalhead' here) had come to listen to the old time classic tracks and nothing more. So, most of the new songs were treated with an average apathy while songs like The Jack, or Dog Eat Dog did not received the energy I was expecting.

A short pause and Angus was ready with his head down to 'hit' us with the riff I was expecting to listen before I die! Thunderstruck struck everyone that night and everyone (ok not all) joined Brian in the lyrics while the classic thunderbolt logo was shown on the screens. From that point until the end I was lost in a parallel universe; this was the moment I was expecting for many years and my brain just got overloaded. Time was passing by and the large AC/DC bell made its way from the top to the bottom marking the time for another shivering track Hells Bells. Brian made the classic run and grabbed the bell's rope calling everyone to sing along.

The general mood was brought down a little bit with War Machine (excellent animated video), Dog Eat Dog and Anything Goes for all the reasons I explained above. Bu, it was time for You Shook Me All Night Long. This track marked the band's counterattack that featured T.N.T. and Whole Lotta Rosie that brought the inflatable Rosie onstage. I do not know if there is another 'woman' that can spread waves of enthusiasm despite her M.I.L.F. and fat looks... but hey this the AC/DC chick... Let There Be Rock was next, while some vintage photos where projected on the screen. Here, Angus with this guitar played a long solo while running on the center aisle waiving and pumping up the gathered fans. And then he came atop a platform in the center of the arena to top his solo off saying in this way 'thank you' to each and everyone in the stadium. The solo continue back on the main stage where the band was waiting for him.

The short break just underlined the expectation since it was time for the encore. Highway To Hell and For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) rocked the place up despite the fact that the cannons did not sound as loud as I'd prefer... Everyone was partying and was singing closing probably one of the best concerts in Greece. The fireworks were the icing on the cake and left about 60000 'frozen' smiles looking on the empty stage. I am almost sure that if I want to see AC/DC live again I have to travel abroad but that's ok I think.

Of course, the classic Greek chaos dominated when time had come to leave the arena but it was not for long and we made our way to the parking lot with minor discomfort. AC/DC's professionalism granted us with an excellent live performance that just cannot be spoiled by the 'unstable' organization. Thank you AC/DC!

AC/DC setlist:

01. Rock N' Roll Train
02. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be
03. Back In Black
04. Big Jack
05. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
06. Shot Down In Flames
07. Thunderstruck
08. Black Ice
09. The Jack
10. Hells Bells
11. Shoot to Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Dog Eat Dog
14. Anything Goes
15. You Shook Me All Night Long
16. T.N.T.
17. Whole Lotta Rosie
18. Let There Be Rock
Encore:
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

(photos by Nick Magni Ntolkas)

AC/DC