AC/DC - No Bull: The Director’s Cut

Not just a reissue – a bullsout overhaul

This isn’t so much a reissue as a complete overhaul of 1996’s somewhat unsatisfying VHS release. Not only has director David Mallet re-edited the footage in shiny new highdefinition, but the soundtrack has been cleaned up and some welcome extras added.

The concert itself, in Madrid’s huge Plaza De Toros De Las Ventas arena, captures the band firing on all cylinders and seemingly still in their prime after 20-odd years. As ever, Angus Young’s limitless energy and Bryan Johnson’s testosterone-heavy screech take centre stage, but the rest of the band provide a rock-solid foundation, ably displaying how they became one of the biggest hard rock acts in the world. The setlist largely consists of their greatest hits to date – wisely, as their then-current album, Ballbreaker, was not their best and some of the tracks from that album provide the few lulls in an otherwise exemplary show.

Fun extras include rarely performed tracks and some shaky but energetic “Angus Cam” footage, taken from Young’s guitar-mounted camera. Not in the same league as the Family Jewels set from a few years back but, as a record of a great show, it’s excellent stuff.

SonyBMG | 88697366669

Reviewed by William Pinfold
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