ACDC new album will be released in about 10 days, but already sneak (thieved) copies have been circulating online. It is the first album since 2000, so the demand, interest and buzz about this album and upcoming tour is at fever pitch. Maybe these old rockers should tour more, an and release more material. Respected Aussie music journalist Bernard Zuel has tracked down a copy and his first thoughts are below…

Acca Dacca hold up their end

Bernard Zuel

So, the new AC/DC album, a collection of songs mixing the hard-edged beats of hip-hop and the stentorian, even Wagnerian, bombast of Led Zeppelin with a touch of commentary about the end of George Bush. Would you believe it? No?

Would you believe 14 straight-ahead rockers and one lighters-in-the-air ballad for the ladeez? No?

OK Chief, how about 15 songs almost all of which could have appeared on any AC/DC album of the past 28 years from a band who would no more change their style than change their hairstyles? Yes, that’s more like it.

The frenzy to upload a sneak version of AC/DC’s new album, Black Ice does seem to work from an interesting premise: that there must be surprises here which would make waiting even a minute more pure torture.

More seasoned watchers - and in the end your average AC/DC fan in his black tour T-shirt and worsted jeans that hold in a mid-40s belly showing its flexibility is nothing if not seasoned - know familiarity and security are bywords for the most successful Australian band of all time.

So we get heartland titles such as She Likes Rock ‘N Roll, Smash N Grab, Rock ‘N Roll Train, Rocking All The Way (whose chorus incidentally sounds like Highway To Hell’s grandchild), and for variety, Rock N Roll Dream.

We get the screechy voiced Brian Johnson waiting to explode, worried about a woman who is trouble and calling down skies on fire in time-honoured fashion. And we get guitar solos that make their point, move on, and are having a beer while your more pretentious bands are just warming up the fingers.

Full story here…

All ACDC tickets here…