AC/DC - Iron Man 2
April 24, 2010, 14 years ago
(Columbia)
'Shoot To Thrill' - although I'm not too impressed with the 'swing factor' the band has put on this track during their live shows, the studio version is still a gritty, fist-pounding chunk of metal anger that is the centre-piece of the flick. It doesn't get much heavier than this.
'Rock 'N' Roll Damnation' - an anthem if there ever was one, a loud n' proud Bon Scott still leading the 'DC parade some 30 years after his death.
'Guns For Hire' - perfect match thematically, from their most under-rated album, Flick Of The Switch. A back-to-basics Young brothers-produced song that sears with flailing axes and raw intrigue. A real beauty from a sadly overlooked piece of band history.
'Cold Hearted Man' - a slow-moving rarity pulled from Backtracks, originally found on the European LP pressing of Powerage. Perfectly symbolic given Stark's injury, the track plods along, giving us a little breather. Enough Scott punch and blues slide to keep it out of the ballad category.
'Back In Black' - Didn't producer Mutt Lange want this off the record!? No matter, still a work of genius 30 years later, with that infectious groove and drive until the break where full-on 'DC boogie takes hold. This song does not age and is a perfect snapshot of the band on fire.
'Thunderstruck' - possibly the greatest live show opener ever. Period. This fist-pounding anthem epitomizes AC/DC to a 't'.
'If You Want Blood (You've Got It)' - I love this buried Highway To Hell track ... in fact the entire second side of Scott's last 'DC full-length is full of gems. Anther Stark symbolism (heart-blood - get it?!) - this is the Bon Scott bite we dearly miss.
'Evil Walks' - I still stand by this remark; For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) is quite possibly the greatest sounding hard rock album ever. The Young (Angus and Malcolm) axes ooze a certain warmth and shimmering beauty, whereas the Cliff Williams/Phil Rudd backbone is solid and exudes perfection. Johnson's snickering and swagger is unmatched. A soaring chorus is met with a sturdy march as the band sends shivers up your spine.
'T.N.T.' - it ain't a party until this track gets cranked. A top-notch nugget that personifies the band and Scott's electrifying presence. Raw, riotous and righteous all in one!
'Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be' - a motto for all of us metalheads plain n' simple. Bon is grinning at us from 'down under' right now.
'Have A Drink On Me' - I dunno man, all I hear are caps hitting the floor and smoke in the air. And the build-up to the finale is a work of art, bottles like rockets in the air, fists-a-flying and the scent of cheap perfume and bar mildew. Ain't it a perfect picture!
'The Razor's Edge' - a puzzling record for me no doubt, although it was an immense success. A sombre tone resonates and will during many of the darker scenes the Iron Man franchise possesses. Not overly memorable, but a sensible fit.
'Let There Be Rock' - enough said. The title says it all. And isn't this AC/DC speed metal? Not much this raw and raucous in 1977 and it still screams pit-party.
'War Machine' - the weakest track on the compilation from arguably the low-point of the band's career, Black Ice. Bland and lazy. Sorry lads, but this is weak.
'Highway To Hell' - probably the band's most famous tune and has barely weathered. Yes, more hip n' cool than 'You Shook Me...', which you'll notice is not on the record. It's been road-tested by every band on the planet and a fitting finale for Bon Scott. The perfect close to this hits package.
Iron Man 2 opens May 7 in North America. Check out all the cool formats for the compilation at this location.