The Led Zeppelin track that Robert Plant referred to as “insane.”

      Led Zeppelin continues to be one of the quintessential groups in rock music, a band whose powerful sound contributed to the creation of entire musical styles. The new documentary, Becoming Led Zeppelin, reveals that the band's remarkable ascent was largely due to their distinctive chemistry and a cohesive creative process that stood out particularly in one "insane" track.

      The 10-minute masterpiece ‘Achille’s Last Stand’ combined hard rock riffs, innovative studio techniques, and drumming that only John Bonham could deliver, resulting in an overwhelming sound. For lead vocalist Robert Plant, it represents a pinnacle for Led Zeppelin—a song that is both "insane" and "magnificent."

      In a 2019 appearance on Digging Deep, The Robert Plant Podcast, Plant explored this ambitiously grand piece of rock music in depth.

      He referred to it as "the music I was so fortunate to be around," expressing admiration for his bandmates and their unique form of rock expression.

      In a different interview, guitarist Jimmy Page shared insights about the song’s intricate guitar sections: “There must be half a dozen going at once. I realized that every guitar overdub needed to be significant and powerful to define each part.”

      Emerging from "a desperate time" in their lives, ‘Achilles Last Stand’ became a distinctive and powerful highlight from their often misjudged album ‘Presence’.

      Robert Plant remarked on his 2019 podcast: “The melody and musicality of those three guys in that track are insane. It’s absolutely insane, it’s magnificent. It’s so magnificent that a friend of mine who heard it played loudly in my house said, ‘I don’t want to be left alone in a room with this on’. Because of its intensity, it’s brilliant.”

      A reflection of the band’s studio skill, Led Zeppelin boldly incorporated the song into their live shows, including their memorable performance at Knebworth.

      Listen to the song below.

      Related: Becoming Led Zeppelin Is The Year’s Essential Music Documentary.