There has been some turbulent years for AC/DC since they released their last album, the oh so underrated Rock Or Bust, back in 2014. Fact is, the turbulence started before that release with Malcolm Young having to quit the band after catching dementia, a horrible disease that took his life before the recording of said album. The album was written by Malcolm and brother Angus but the rhythm guitars were played by nephew Stevie Young, who actually filled in for Malcolm on tour back in 1988 when Mal went to rehab. Drummer Phil Rudd was let go after getting into trouble with the law and his drug-addiction had caught the better of him. He was once again replaced by Chris Slade. Then bass player Cliff Williams announced that this was his last tour with AC/DC and that he was retiring after that.
To make matters worse, singer Brian Johnson had to bail out mid-tour after his doctor had told him that his hearing condition had worsened and that he could go deaf if he continued. Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose filled in for the rest of the tour and when the tour was finished all we got from the AC/DC camp was quietness. No one knew if the band was done or not. Would they continue with Axl and a new bass player? In 2018, Angus and Brian was spotted outside The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver and rumours of a new AC/DC album started flying. Those rumours were met once again with silence. Then after the silence right out of nowhere came the leading single “Shot In The Dark”, a song that said that yes, AC/DC is back – with Young, Young, Johnson, Williams and Rudd. We also got the news that most of the songs were based on ideas – not finished songs – that Angus and Malcolm had collaborated on before he passed away. At last some light in these dark, pandemic times.
“Shot In The Dark” told me just about everything I needed to know about AC/DC of 2020. Sure, it’s an AC/DC song that sounds just like AC/DC has always sounded – hugely grooved, punchy with a massive gang-vocal chorus that’s impossible to get out of your head. It’s classic, catchy and leading-single AC/DC where “You Shook Me All Night Long”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train” and “Moneytalks” are rolled into one. Yes, catchy as Hell but never smooth or silky. I couldn’t wait for the album to come out when I heard it and I can’t wait to hear it live. Bloody awesome. When the album was finally out and I pushed play, opener “Realize” told me that “Shot In The Dark” isn’t a one-off. Uptempo and straight-forward with a pumping bass, a driving drum-beat and classic blues-boogie-rock Young/Young riffing, the song took me to jail and the big, rowdy chorus threw away the key. Classic AC/DC all the way – and then some. Brilliant.
“Rejection” continues the groove-fest with edgy guitars, a “Shot Down In Flames” riff-swagger and an upbeat rhythm with all those magic AC/DC melodies we all know and love. It’s a muscular and ballsy number with another striking refrain and since “Shot In The Dark” follows, I got the feeling of a winner-album – and we’re only three songs in. “Through The Mists Of Time” takes a slight curve-ball turn as its verses are slightly subdued albeit still upbeat with a contagious swing. It might be a bit pop-oriented as well with a somewhat commercial touch but the intense groove and the chunky guitar-lines are all AC/DC – and the chorus is nothing but amazing. Love it.
“Kick You When You’re Down” comes in a mid-pace but with a striking groove and some classic hard-rocking blues vibes that brings my mind back to the band’s 70’s. The chorus grabs a hold right off the bat even though it might take a held-back position that fits Johnson’s grovel vocals like a charm – very distinct and direct. Great. “Witch’s Spell” brings on a driving rhythm, fat and crunchy riffing and some killer grooves that could make a paralyzed get up and dance. It’s more of an album-track that could have been merely a haul to the next track if it wasn’t so full of in-your-face hooks and another addictive refrain. A stellar track indeed.
Latest single “Demon Fire” puts “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “For Those About To Rock” in a blender and the boys go off in a classic blues-rock frenzy that shakes you, kicks your butt and puts a fist right in the jugular, leaving you defenseless. This is rowdy, punchy and mean classic AC/DC just they way they should sound. Again, I can’t wait to be run over by this live. What a sleazy powerhouse! Awesome! “Wild Reputation” is a bit more groundy and down-beat but that matters little as this blues-rock swinger brings on such a fat groove and organic arrangements where the chorus runs its claws right through you and refuses to let go. It might not be as striking as the rest but an AC/DC album needs those too – a moment to breathe.
Missing the Bon Scott days? Well, then “No Man’s Land” is for you. With some super-catchy, Classic Rock riffing over a mid-paced rhythm, this track takes on a heavier and darker vibe – rootsy and organic with a large chunk of Blues intensity. That being said, the refrain is on the catchier side, the way that Mutt Lange once taught them. It might contrast some but those contrasts are what made Highway To Hell such a hit-record so what’s not to like? “Systems Down” is hard. It’s raw. Here they bring some raunchy blues-rock to the table, straight ahead and concise, no bullshit Hard Rock brought on to give you a good beating. It’s a good song but it doesn’t really stand out like most of the previous tracks.
“Money Shot” is the only track on the album that I consider a dip. I mean, it’s upbeat, raw and crunchy with a pumping rhythm and it holds all the elements that an AC/DC track should and it’s not bad at all. Still, it just don’t stick like the rest of them and comes across as somewhat forgettable – a filler but a listenable filler. The band closes the album in the best of ways with the old-school AC/DC belter “Code Red”, a song that surely kicks up some dust. It’s slower in pace yet with a heavy as damn riffage, taking a major Hard Rock turn to the blues-rock bottom of the song. The bastard son of “Beating Around The Bush” and “Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” if you will. Groovy, catchy and rough – and a killer, classic AC/DC track. Hell Yeah!
This is the best AC/DC album in years and years and mind you, I really dug both Black Ice and Rock Or Bust. That said, with AC/DC you know what you’re getting, they have their style and that’ll never change. However, this is a rebooted AC/DC, an AC/DC that after all the turmoil has something to prove again and they have gone all in to do just that. Big parts of the 80’s and 90’s hasn’t been all that kind to the band musically but since we entered the new millennium, the band has taken a few steps ahead with every album and with their new album they have brought out their best and most even record since the underrated Flick Of The Switch (1983). AC/DC 2020 are firing on all cylinders with the best line-up a Malcolm-less AC/DC can bring. What will happen to the band when the well of Malcolm’s ideas has ran dry remains to be seen but for now we can enjoy a band with a new spark. Let’s hope the Covid vaccine works and that AC/DC will pleasure us with another big tour.
8/10
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Tracklist:
1. Realize
2. Rejection
3. Shot In The Dark
4. Through The Mists of Time
5. Kick You When You’re Down
6. Witch’s Spell
7. Demon Fire
8. Wild Reputation
9. No Man’s Land
10. Systems Down
11. Money Shot
12. Code Red
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