AC/DC - 'Black Ice' (SonyBMG) Released 20/10/08

Those who open the booklet enclosed with AC/DC’s latest album, ‘Black Ice’, will be greeted by a recent photo of a somewhat weathered-looking rock band. A worn-out Angus Young poses in his trademark schoolboy uniform with an air of desperation, attempting to cling on to a wild youth and roguish anarchy of days gone by. It’s an image that begs the question: can these guys possibly still have what it takes?

Luckily, the album’s first track quickly puts an end to such fears. The aptly named ‘Rock N Roll Train’ feels like a genuine slice of classic 80’s AC/DC and it opens the album with as much electrifying, angst-fuelled rock as anything from their 1980’s best seller ‘Back in Black’. The song’s guitar-based intro paves the way for Brian Johnson’s familiar vocals, remarkably unchanged after so many years and carrying that unique, snarly style that is so synonymous with the band. An uncomplicated but nonetheless epic guitar solo from Angus Young instantly dissolves the notion of a has-been rock star, and instead evokes memories of the energetic twenty-five year old ‘schoolboy’ engaging in his fabled stage antics. An archetypal AC/DC song, ‘Rock N Roll Train’ is a perfect album-opener and the ideal way to signal their long-awaited return.

‘Black Ice’ boasts an impressive 15 songs in total, and the remaining 14 all follow a similar vein. In fact, three of the songs on the album have the words “rock n’ roll” in their title. AC/DC have clearly labelled their intent with this album - to stick with a tried-and-tested formula for song writing that they know will work.

The next stand out track is ‘War Machine’ which, with a menacing bass line and catchy riff, builds into a chant-filled, adrenaline-pumping rock song. ‘Spoiling for a Fight’ is another great rock song with a bluesy twist, and with the lyrics “you better stand your ground, and keep out of my town” it’s easy to imagine it as the soundtrack behind a red-neck bar fight in some sleazy American biker hang-out. ‘Stormy Mayday’ continues to indulge in this blues-rock theme and its opening riff would feel equally at home in a ZZ Top album. However, Angus’ use of slide guitar is an interesting piece of experimentation that is surprisingly well implemented here. ‘Rock N Roll Dream’ is as close as the album comes to having a ballad and adds a bit of variety to the mix, with a slower intro and soulful approach to singing that serves as a reminder of just how talented and flexible Brian Johnson really is.

With so many songs on the album, the biggest drawback is that there are several tracks that feel simply average. For instance the title song, ‘Black Ice’, is a bit of an anti-climax. The album may have benefited from having fewer songs, but after an eight year hiatus, it seems like AC/DC wanted to give fans as much new material as possible. Whilst some may argue that they have failed to diversify from a music style that still feels very 80’s, AC/DC have at least managed to put together an album in which all the songs carry the band’s unmistakeable sound.