LAURENCE MACKINreviews AC/DC at the O2, Dublin.

AC/DC have obviously been reading their Chekhov. The Russian playwright said that if a gun is introduced to the stage early in a play, it must be fired. In the case of AC/DC, it’s cannons, but we’ll get to that later.

AC/DC are the most unapologetic rock band still ripping out riffs. In more than 35 years, their sound has barely deviated from its template of cathedral-sized riffs, rolling thunder, grooving drums and locomotive bass lines. Given these infrangible borders, you might suspect that live, after the initial attack, it might sound a bit tedious. But there is no adequate preparation for the live AC/DC onslaught. The band plays every track as if it is their last.

The show opens with a cartoon of a demonic Angus Young stoking the fire of a runaway AC/DC train. We'll skip the complicated plot to the bit where the train thunders through the end of the line, and the band rips into the opening riffs of Rock'N'Roll Trainwhile an oversized locomotive shunts into the centre of the stage. From here on in, it gets more preposterous, more ridiculous and more jaw-droppingly thrilling than any band has a right to be.

The scale of the sound is matched only by Angus Young and Brian Johnson’s stage antics. Malcolm Young and Cliff Williams root themselves firmly around Phil Rudd’s kit (who enjoys more than one sneaky cigarette as he goes about his business), while Angus Young tears around the stage, blistering his way through solo after solo.

From Back in Blackto War Machine, Whole Lotta Rosieto Let There Be Rock,there is no cessation in this offensive. Towards the end, a medley of album covers and groups shots from the band's history (some featuring original singer Bon Scott) fills the screen in an oddly affecting reminder of just how long AC/DC have been ignoring the evolution of music to stick to their rock'n'roll commandments.

But back to those cannons. After almost two hours, the band bounce back on stage for a final parting shot of For Those About To Rock (We Salute You), and the crowd gets a spread-volley cannon salute. AC/DC: as subtle as war and probably just as loud.