AC/DC- Black Ice album review

Ah AC/DC. You've given us so many great songs since your Australian debut in 1973. However since 1981 AC/DC have had a chronic inability to release an album that in any way shape or form equalled the raw energy, and greatness of their first albums. Despite the fact that they survived their lead vocalist dying in 1979 they released one of the most revered, and best selling, rock albums of all time in 1980. With Brian Johnson (formerly of Geordie) AC/DC came out with the best comeback album of all time. Almost 30 years later, Back In Black has sold an excess of 40 million copies worldwide. After one more excellent release, To Those Who Are About To Rock, in 1981 however. They started to lose their edge. Rapidly. They fired their longtime drummer Phil Rudd in 1983 after recording their 9th album Flick Of The Switch. Which signaled the extremely rapid decline of the rock greats. Eventually, after releasing mediocre album after mediocre album AC/DC re-hired Rudd for their 1995 album Ballbreaker (produced by comeback great Rick Rubin). The album recaptured some of their early fire and energy. And was significantly more critically acclaimed than their last few efforts. But AC/DC has yet to hit such a high note as even the weakest of their first 8 studio albums. Can Black Ice bring them back to greatness?

Black Ice marks the longest amount of time in between releases for AC/DC in their 36 years history. This break from making music seems to have been highly beneficial to the band. As they come back with hits such as Rock N' Roll Train and Big Jack which bring to mind some of their great songs of the past. The album has all the ingredients for a great AC/DC album. Driving riffs, pounding drums, raspy vocals about beautiful women, tough guys, money and drinking and all forms of revelry, and Angus Young shredding away on guitar. After all these years Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd are just as great as ever at creating and performing memorable and rock solid music. Angus Young is actually the weakest part of the album. His solos seem dry compared to his previous efforts. He employs the use of slide guitar in Stormy May Day, but it goes almost without note. Brian Johnson is truly the high point of the album. His vocals are powerful and catchy.

Black Ice is a rock solid album from a sleeping giant of Rock. Easily the best album to come out of the Aussie band in over 25 years. The band may not be able to see the moral shortcomings of their business model, but they have gotten their musical spark back.

4 stars out of 5.