On The Download: AC/DC at Giants Stadium, July 31, 2009

The sky grew black as we approached Giants Stadium. The weathermen had been forecasting rain for days leading up to the show, and while there had been showers during the day, the sky was still looking ominous. This was strangely appropriate, considering we were going to witness one of the biggest spectacles in rock music: an AC/DC stadium show.

Back in black, indeed.

We boarded the train bound for the Meadowlands with several dozen other AC/DC fans, secure in the knowledge that we were going to get soaked. And as we came closer to the stadium (with its replacement scheduled to open soon sitting silently next to it), the drops began to fall. Hood up, we walked up to our gate and made it through the security pat down as the rain became heavier.

We passed a banner featuring the massive silhouettes of Bruce Springsteen and the legendary E-Street Band looking down at us advertising his own shows. I was thankful that I had more than a poncho to keep me dry if the Biblical level of rain in the forecast were to appear.

I asked one of the concession workers what the plan was in case of deluge. She told me that as far as she knew there wasn’t a plan, but if the rain got too bad, they would probably have to delay or even postpone the show. We took up spots toward the back of the field level as the majority of people had not arrived yet. As it turned out, we were early.

The opening band was a band out of Belfast called The Answer. Playing to a small (but appreciative) audience in the vastness of Giants Stadium is not easy, but frontman Cormac Neeson worked the crowd like an Irish Robert Plant crossed with Chris Robinson. 

These guys wear their influences on their sleeve – Zep, AC/DC, Free, Deep Purple – while still managing to sound current. As The Answer finished up, the skies began to open and some patches of blue sky were visible for the first time all day.

Next up was Anvil. Now I’ll be honest, I’d never heard of these guys until I heard about the recent documentary about these metal pioneers. “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” stars Steve “Lips” Kudlow (guitar, lead vocals) and Robb Reiner (drums), two lifelong friends from Canada who started one of the most influential bands no one has ever heard of. They are something like the Velvet Underground of metal – relatively obscure in their day, but hugely influential to bands like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Slayer, and as such, only getting their due nowadays in large part to the documentary.

The film traces Kudlow and Reiner’s quest to keep their music alive over the course of nearly 35 years through conditions that can only be called “Spinal Tap-esque.” Opening for AC/DC at Giants Stadium was another stop (albeit a big one) on a wild and strange trip for these guys. As I let the sounds of Anvil’s “Metal On Metal” wash over me, I realized that the clouds had passed and we were going to be spared. It was starting to look like a monsoon was not going to hit New Jersey after all.

We made our way up to our seats just as the opening animation started. On-screen, Angus Young is, ahem, distracted by some ladies as he tries to steer an out of control train down the tracks. As a giant train burst through the back of the stage, AC/DC took the stage to “Rock and Roll Train” and it was on. Brian Johnson and Angus took turns running down the massive runaway erected in the middle of the floor as they went into “Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be.”

And then Angus hit the opening riff to “Back In Black” and the whole place erupted. “Big Jack,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” “Shot Down In Flames” “Thunderstruck” “Black Ice” “The Jack” (featuring the Angus Young striptease) -all in one of the most epic (and did I mention loud?) rock shows I’ve ever seen.

Brian Johnson is over 60-years-old, but you would never know it to see him swinging from the massive bell lowered from the catwalk during “Hell’s Bells.” “Shoot To Thrill,” “War Machine,” “Dog Eat Dog,” “Anything Goes,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “TNT.” There was even a 60-foot inflatable Rosie for “Whole Lotta Rosie.” All the while, Malcolm Young stayed rock steady on rhythm and Cliff Williams held down the low end, while the video screens showed Phil Rudd drumming with a cigarette in his mouth for the whole show.

To wrap up the set, Angus, who was dripping with sweat, ran down the runaway to a smaller stage and disappeared into a tent. He emerged from the top of the tent on a scissor lift while playing guitar and fireworks and confetti are going off all around him. As he ran back up to the stage, you could see blood dripping down Angus’ arm on the video monitors thanks to his shedding on a nearly 10 minute guitar solo.

This, people, is rock and roll.

We moved to the back closer to the exit to get the jump on the mass of people headed for the train for the encore. I’m fairly sure the pyro for “Highway to Hell” was visible from space and the 21-gun salute from “For Those About To Rock” set off car alarms all over northern New Jersey. I’ve seen all sorts of bands at Giants Stadium – the Stones, Dave Matthews, even Springsteen – but nothing came close to matching the sheer size and scope (and volume!) of AC/DC.

Ultimately, the rain held off, and it was a great night for everyone in attendance. Folks, if you like electric blues played real loud, you owe it to yourself to see them live when they come to your town. But don’t worry; you’ll hear them coming first.

AC/DC continue their Black Ice Tour throughout the summer and across North America. “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” is being released on DVD October 16. The Answer’s American debut, “Everyday Demons,” is available wherever records are sold.