What sells out arenas these days? Too often it's not a rock act let alone an Australian act. But as ten thousand witnesses will attest, Australian rock 'n' roll has a revived pulse in the reunion of Cold Chisel.

Having already seen You Am I twice in smaller venues (and enjoying them), I was interested to see how both their sound and stage presence would work in an arena. As what appears to have plagued a few of their shows so far, their sound mixing was a major roadblock in enjoying their set. A wall of sound that even Phil Spector would find annoying made it hard to distinguish instrument from instrument and song from song. Despite that, behind the music the band seemed to be enjoying themselves and Tim Rogers still has one of, if not the, fastest windmill arm swings when playing the guitar. It's a shame they were unable to impress in front of such a large audience, especially as they apparently tore up the Annandale Hotel later that evening.

From the moment Cold Chisel took the stage and show-opener “Standing On The Outside” began to play, the band took it upon themselves to stage an all out war to prove they still have the intensity that made them legends. The fear that their talent had somehow vanished in the years since the last Chisel tour was soon gone. Cold Chisel were back, and thrillers like always.

Three songs in, Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss were already drenched in sweat. Barnes sounded exceptional and worked the stage from side to side and Moss was a fluent on the guitar as ever. How Barnes' voice is still so strong after belting out each lyric at the top (and the strain?) of his voice for years is beyond me. Together, with original bassist Phil Small and replacement drummer Charley Drayton, they were a tight and cohesive unit. There honestly were no signs the band had been on any sort of hiatus.

Personally, I'm one for aesthetics and I have to give respect to the lighting and stage crew. I'm not sure if it will be even remotely the same for the club or winery shows they play, but the lighting was extraordinary and expertly implemented. The lighting rigs framed the stage and kept it feeling open and never cramped.

The nights highlight came with the tribute to late-drummer Steve Prestwich who died earlier this year due to complications from a brain tumour. For the song he penned, “When The War Is Over”, the band assembled in the centre of the stage as images of Steve as a toddler through to his years in the band flashed in the background. It was touching and beautifully executed.

Sure, the name 'Cold Chisel' has been a staple of any conversation about the Australian greats. I have Chisel albums, compilations, even vinyl, but it was only sitting through their set that I realised just how many hits and the impact this band has had on the Australian industry. Hit after hit, they had the audience on their feet and singing every word. Thanks guys, but the words that came up on the screen during “Khe Sahn” weren't needed, we knew them already.

The touring circuit is theirs once again.

For more information on remaining dates head to http://www.coldchisel.com/tour-2/

They will be back in Sydney on the 15th of November.