Band : AC/DC

Album Title : Black Ice

Label : Columbia Records

Distributor : Sony - BMG

Release Date : 17/10/2008

Release : CD

After the release of their first single “Rock N Roll Train” AC/DC is back for more. Way back in the late seventies This Australian legends defined an almost platonic form of rock 'n' roll that was hand built to last. And time has not withered them. AC/DC just went on doing what they do best: rock like the beast, a backbeat that crushes all in its wake and a voice that screams like it's been gargling sandpaper. And of course you may not forget the over the top squealing, frenzied blues solo’s of Angus Young. After an eight-year break AC/DC called it time to unleash their legend sound one more time. Sixteen albums in and AC/DC have no reason to tinker with a formula that was well-nigh perfect to begin with. Each song on this new album starts with a stuttering riff from Malcolm Young, for years the world's most unsung guitar hero, and he still is a schoolboy imitating guy. One slight negative aspect is Brendan O'Brien's production. He couldn’t managed to muddy up the sound and therefore it sounds a little too clean and dull. On tracks like “Money Made Or War Machine” the sheer thrill of dirty rock 'n' roll is not quite achieved. But everyone knows that the band will play their material more raw on their next live world tour. They are greyer, slightly slower and slightly less convincing as they were before but AC/DC have once more ensured that all fans will get a very black 2008 en 2009.

75/100

Guido Claes.