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Back In Black

AC/DC

1980

Back In Black

Album Summary

Back in Black is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band AC/DC. It was released on 25 July 1980 by Albert Productions and Atlantic Records. It is the band's first album to feature lead singer Brian Johnson, following the death of previous lead singer Bon Scott. After the commercial breakthrough of their 1979 album Highway to Hell, AC/DC was planning to record a follow-up, but in February 1980, Scott died from alcohol poisoning after a drinking binge. Instead of disbanding, they decided to continue on and recruited Johnson, who was previously vocalist for Geordie. The album was composed by Johnson, Angus and Malcolm Young, and recorded over seven weeks in the Bahamas from April to May 1980 with producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who had worked on their previous album. Following its completion, the group mixed Back in Black at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The album's all-black cover was designed as a "sign of mourning" for Scott. As their sixth international studio release, Back in Black was an unprecedented success. It has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, and is the second best-selling album in music history. The band supported the album with a yearlong world tour, cementing them among the most popular music acts of the early 1980s. The album also received positive critical reception during its initial release, and it has since been included on numerous lists of "greatest" albums. Since its original release, the album has been reissued and remastered multiple times, most recently for digital distribution. On 9 December 2019, it was certified 25× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Wikipedia

Rating

3.86

Votes

19925

Reviews

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Jul 28 2021
3

obviously a decent record but lyrically it improves tenfold when you imagine it’s being sung by toad

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Dec 28 2021
2

It boggles my mind how insanely popular this album is. It just goes to show you how simple-minded a large portion of the population is. Here's the AC/DC formula: Find a common phrase. Either use it as is (e.g. Back in Black) or even better if we can make a slight alteration to turn it into something with sexual connotations (e.g. Shoot to Thrill) or best yet find one that can be a double entendre (e.g. Givin the Dog a Bone). Then write some simplistic lyrics to go with the phrase - a couple of verses and a chorus is all you need. Then find some basic power chord riff that is catchy (this is the part that requires some talent and the only reason I'm giving this more than one star). Now shriek the lyrics on top of the power chords, and there you go! Eat it up and give us your money, simpletons! 2 stars.

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Aug 13 2021
5

Probably the most macho album ever, without ever being offensive. When aliens come down and ask about rock n roll, this will be the first album humans will play them.

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Oct 03 2022
5

This album is about as nuanced as Hulk Hogan driving a monster truck to a Republican Party rally. But who needs nuance when you have riffs? It's big, it's basic, and it's timeless. 42 years old and could have been recorded yesterday. I'm not sure anything betters this in terms of loud, balls out, unpretentious rock. Rating: 4.5/5 Playlist track: Back in Black Date listened: 30/09/22

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Dec 13 2023
5

The award for - Best recovery from a dead lead singer - goes to AC/DC Back in Black.

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Mar 18 2021
5

Such a beast of an album. Just legendary. Every song is a banger. Every track a shredder. "Relentless" is a really great descriptor for this album. It never lets up, never slows down, never lets you rest. It's the opposite of a rickroll.

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Oct 17 2021
5

Whereas I get sick of Aerosmith's "middle school boy music" aesthetic, I still cannot get enough of it when AC/DC does it. Maybe they're just better at it. Maybe they're the real thing when Aerosmith is just poseurs. I don't know. What I do know is that every single one of these songs is a stone cold rock classic. Just listening to one of these is guaranteed to get you an STD. Hail Satan, and rock on AC/DC.

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Feb 23 2021
4

“Back in Black” by AC/DC (1980) I bought this album when it first came out, because my students (at a private Christian high school) had expressed alarm that if you play it backwards there were discernible messages from Satan. This was in the heyday of the evangelical Christian “backmasking” conspiracy theory. Anyway, I played parts of it in class (forward and backward), demonstrating that what they had been told to listen for (repeated references to “666”, etc.) were actually just cymbals and other sounds that only coincidentally sounded like words. Some of them remained unconvinced, and thus I learned a valuable lesson about religious fundamentalism: People will believe the craziest shit under the right conditions. But the music on this album is very good. Brian Johnson has a voice that seems to do violence to both his throat and the listener’s ears. But it is a very disciplined violence, with excellent range, diction, and breath control, and that makes it musically attractive. The guitar work of the Young brothers displays a particular virtuosity, especially for the time. Clearly one of the standout heavy metal guitar duos. Listen carefully for Angus Young’s deftly executed ‘quick bends’ on individual notes in the scales of his lead riffs. Exquisite. The rhythm section is exceptionally tight and steady, with enough variety to keep it interesting. The lyrics, on the other hand, are simply unconnected expressions of misguided manliness, angry arrogance, and cultural chaos. Even lyricist Brian Johnson is reported as having described the lyrics on the title track “Back in Black” as nonsense. And Johnson’s lyrics on “Hell’s Bells” are an unconvincing paean to evil. Consider the line “'Cause if good's on the left, then I'm sticking to the right”. Brian, if you’ve ever had children (and he did), then we all know you’re full of shit. What holds these lyrics together are the standard heavy metal themes of unrestrained individuality, untempered judgmentalism and the irresponsible abuse of what little they know. It’s not art. If you want to hear a message from Satan on this album, don’t play it backwards. Play it forwards. But the sound. The sound. It is metal done to perfection. 4/5

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Feb 13 2022
3

One of my favorite quotes is Angus Young saying “ I'm sick to death of people saying we've made 11 albums that sounds exactly the same, Infact, we've made 12 albums that sound exactly the same.” And hey, if your dumb horny rock n’ roll music ain’t broke, I certainly agree you shouldn’t fix it.

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Aug 09 2022
1

If albums had a smell this one would smell like sweat

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Dec 16 2021
1

‘shoot to thrill’- hyper-masculine lyrics. Unpleasant to modern sensibilities. ‘What do you do for Money’- once you hear the misogyny, you can’t escape it. ‘givin the dog a bone’ is the icing on the cake. I didn’t listen to any more of this. How, even from a musical point of view, can this be considered one of the best albums of the past sixty years? How can the lyrics be extricated from the musicality? Ugh.

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Jan 20 2022
3

the kind of rock music that I love the least. Around the same time, the best rock music ever was created by the talking heads, joy division, the cure and so many great rock bands, that I don't understand why this boring band got any attention.

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Jul 18 2023
5

Fuck yeah!!!!!! I was raised by a redneck mother who insisted that country music was the only kind of music worth listening to. I immediately rebelled against all her hurdy-durdy twangy cowpoke tunes by indoctrinating myself with every possible iteration of cock rock that exists. Van Halen, Guns 'n' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and AC/DC became deities whom I worshipped in my early teen years. That paved the way to full blown 80's obsession, with a fun and funky detour into new wave art rock which eventually led to the grunge/alt rock/riot grrl summit where I found my sonic joy and forged my own true musical identity. Even though this music is rife with horrific misogyny and the constant predatory objectification of women (which I do not support), the balls to the wall spirit of loud aggressive dissent is what resonates with me most. Hail Satan, and Fuck country music! If I could come back as a drinking, snorting, fucking cock rock legend in my next life I would. And we haven't even touched on the most amazing part, this album is a resurrection! Probably the greatest rock 'n' roll resurrection of all time after a front man dies. Bon Scott partied 'til the fucking wheels fell off and Brian Johnson took up the mantle to usher these boys into a new era, a better era arguably, that cemented their legendary rocker status for all of time. I will also add that my dad was cool as fuck and he believed in ROCK. AC/DC was one of his all-time favourite bands. He passed away in June this year, and what would have been his 67th birthday on July 15th this past weekend was a very sad day. I'm still shattered by his passing. He burned brightly just like these lads, and burned out way too fast. When he was ill, I listened to this album on many of my drives to visit with him. For energy. That's what he always said AC/DC represented to him: powerful gut-punching energy. I'll love and miss my dad until the end of time and I'll forever think of him whenever I hear AC/DC. I hope he's able to grab a bowl of cottage pie and down a stiff scotch with Bon in his hereafter. I love you dad.

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May 03 2021
4

Great album from this totally ‘balls to the wall’ Aussie rock group. It’s heavy but it’s not metal as many people often categorise their music to be. They rely on the trusted and true technique of playing the blues fast with accompanying power chords and saturated in full blown Marshall distortion. These guys are the masters of this genre and this album is one of their best examples. Every track is almost as good as any other, including released singles...that in itself is a rarity. While I actually favour AC/DC with their former and original frontman Bon Scott, there is no doubting the genuine quality of these tracks. The album definitely deserves to be rated a classic. Turn it up to 11!! 4 Stars!

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Sep 13 2021
2

Big dumb fun from grown adults who dress as schoolboys and almost exclusively want to rock. That is their mission statement, and it’s mission accomplished. I’m deducting a star (possibly two - if it had caught me in the right mood) for the troublingly predatory lyrics to Let Me Put My Love Into You.

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Feb 14 2024
3

“I’m not like the other kids… I actually can appreciate the music of my parent’s generation,” he says, grimacing, as the skrelty muppet vocals of “What You Do For Money Honey” play on chorus four over an utterly normal guitar solo. 3/5

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Aug 18 2023
2

Heading into this album, my expectations were very low. I had always found this group annoying whenever I heard most of their songs on the radio, and my old high school would BLAST their song “Thunderstruck” before every pep assembly, which was TRAUMATIZING! Unfortunately, this album did not manage to surpass my already low expectations. The lead singer sounded like Robert Plant taking a dump with his ear piercing wailing and “YEAAA YEAHHH!!”’s on most of the songs. I enjoyed Hell’s Bells and You Shook Me All Night Long, but I otherwise found the rest to be very forgettable ford truck commercial music and/or downright appalling wailing and shouting about cliche nonsense.

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Oct 20 2023
2

A bunch of the songs sounded the same, and were too long. The best one, You Shook Me All Night Long, did not have as much of the shrieking as many of the earlier songs on the album, and was less of a copy of the first few songs on the album. I don't know if I like the song Back in Black or if I've just heard it a lot of times.

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Jul 09 2025
5

I got this album for Xmas when I was 10. Text book definition of classic. 45 years later you could go see them in concert and reasonably expect at least 4 tracks played off this bad motherfucker. This one is a candidate for most listened to albums in my life. In the archaic days of pre streaming, if you had a handful of tapes, that's what you listened to. Over and over. Go to your buddy's house and listen to his handful of tapes. Good memories of borrowing and loaning. Albums like this are snapshots in time. No skips, just banger after banger. Easily in the top 25 albums in this project. Outta sight.

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Sep 01 2021
5

Vous savez quoi ? Alors que j'étais partagé entre l'idée d'accorder un 4 à cet album, et celle de lui accorder un 5, j'ai finalement opté pour la dernière option. Et vous savez pourquoi ? Tout simplement parce que je voyais arriver le jour arriver où j'allais donner mon troisième 5 à Adèle et où on allait me traiter de fragile qui écoute seulement des filles qui pleurent en chantant. Alors voilà, un bon gros 5 pour Back In Black, un album bien viril, fait pour les hommes qui ont des clébards sales. Qu'est-ce que vous allez pouvoir dire maintenant ?

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Jan 15 2021
5

Now I know why AC/DC is legendary

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Dec 08 2023
4

All you need from ACDC. Literally it will all sound like these songs.

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Apr 03 2022
3

A right squelchy minge

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May 09 2024
2

But do they like rock and roll? So many unanswered questions posed by the lyrics on this one. I’ll be thinking about it for days.

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Oct 28 2024
5

Back in Black Hard for this to be anything other than a 5. It has no pretension, no swords or dwarves, no parental angst and it is entirely successful in executing exactly what it set out to do - riffs, grooves, booze and sex. But don’t mistake simplicity for basicness - underneath that apparent simplicity they have a very smart and canny understanding of what works and what doesn't, and they also have their secret weapon; in Malcolm, Cliff and Phil they have a great rhythm section, not particularly ostentatious and obviously capably steady, but they have the ability to give the songs groove and an element of slipperiness that belies the plodding headbanging reputation. And Angus understands exactly what he should do, never overlong or self indulgent, punctuating things with excellent white man overbite air guitar style riffs and runs. The big and famous songs are thrillingly fun of course, Hells Bells, Shoot to Thrill and the timeless and excellent Back in Black and You Shook Me All Night Long, and while the other songs don’t quite hit those peaks they are still brilliant bits of good time party rock’n’roll, What Do You Do For Money and Have a Drink on Me in particular are great. Overall it’s an irresistibly fun 40 minutes of head nodding, toe tapping good time rock music, and in that category they are unmatched. Easy 5. 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔 Playlist submission: You Shook Me All Night Long

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Dec 24 2024
4

A classic that simultaneously defines and transcends cock rock. Some of these lyrics haven't worn well, but if you're noticing the lyrics you aren't rocking. What makes this band great is the Young brothers' absolutely massive guitar riffs. That they were sampled so much by 80s hip hoppers indicates that their adolescent majesty holds universal appeal, to where now the opening chords of Back In Black will make the pimply, jean jacketed virgin in all of us to raise our horns in brotherly love. 🤘

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Sep 20 2023
3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9g1WHfZgaM 6/10

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Jan 24 2024
2

This one in particular doesn’t do a ton for me, but I will always appreciate that there is something about AC/DC’s guitar tone that makes it sound like hell music for absolute perverts.

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Jul 08 2025
5

Nothing needs to be said.

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Jul 08 2025
5

one of those albums that you turn it all the way up and hit play. Not a bad song on the entire record.

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Jul 01 2025
5

Life changing album. It’s one of those records that the first time you put it on, you know you’re a getting something. Especially as a 13 or 14 year old kid, that records opens your eyes.

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Jun 30 2025
5

What a masterpiece... Not a single boring second, just balls to the wall rock 'n' roll. AC/DC is at their heaviest here and most triumphant. No need to go into details, but everything is spot on: songwriting, musicianship, vocals and in the end... production. This is pure ear candy, one of the best sounding albums of all time. If you have this album as no. 1 on your list of greatest rock albums of all time, I wouldn't mind. It's definitely in that conversation!

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Jun 27 2025
5

If an alien landed and asked “what is rock and roll? What is hard rock?” this classic record would be a pretty good place to start. Some dark and evil sounding songs. A lot of songs about sex. A song about rock music itself. A song about sex that’s so much fun that your aunts dance to it at weddings. Great stuff and yeah, everyone should hear it all once.

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Jun 24 2025
5

Arguably the best Hard Rock album ever Easy 5/5

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Jun 21 2025
5

Love this album! Iconic sound from iconic band!

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Jun 21 2025
5

Yeeeeesssss! 🤘🏻🔥 I listen to a lot of these songs on the regular, so it was nice to finally listen to the album in full! Although my favourite AC/DC song isn't on this album (Thunderstruck) it still has some huge bangers Good stuff 5 ⭐️

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Jun 17 2025
5

The best hard rock album of all time

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Jun 15 2025
5

Again, heard this album so many times. You'd think after the passing of Bon Scott, AC/DC would struggle to find a singer to replace him. Yet here is not only an incredible introduction to Brian Johnson's killer vocal style, but a wonderful tribute to their ex-singer. The title track speaks for itself, an essential riff in any guitarist's arsenal. Other tracks on the album such as Hells Bells, Shoot To Thrill and You Shook Me All Night Long prove why AC/DC are one of the best rock bands of all time.

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Jun 15 2025
5

I do not remember a time I didn't absolutely love this album end to end... well, maybe before I was 11. I personally have three AC DC albums that I consider five stars, their International debut High Voltage, Highway to Hell, and this masterpiece. I do, for the most part, prefer the Bon Scott era, but it is so hard to deny this album in particular. Every song into end, all killer no filler. (10) ★★★★★

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Jun 15 2025
5

One of the greatest hard rock albums of all time and it almost plays like the band's greatest hits. The title track, "Hell's Bells", "Shoot to Thrill", "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution", and "You Shook Me All Night Long" are all classics. Great guitar tones and excellent performances all around. 5 stars.

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Nov 18 2024
5

There may be many things AC/DC are not, but one thing they really ARE is fun. And sometimes that’s just what you need. Take my stars…

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Sep 17 2024
5

Who else here blew a speaker with this one?

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May 27 2024
5

I want an AC⚡️DC t-shirt. I really enjoyed rocking out to this. They really must be quite something live! Unpretentious. Silly in places. But LOUD. And blasts through, like dynamite, to that hidden cave inside where one is a Harley riding, whisky drinking, guitar playing free spirit. I'm Back in Black, baby. Yes, indeed. I will be driving to this album. In my rose gold Fiat 500. Look out world 🤣

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Mar 05 2024
5

Look, all the tracks on the album sounding the exact same is only a *bad* thing when the songs stink.

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Dec 14 2023
5

No great band lacks discipline by my reckoning, not so much on the business side, but in how they control their sound, and AC/DC are paragons here, with Malcolm Young the general. I don't have the ears or knowledge to understand what exactly they do to sound like no others, but I can hear it.

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Nov 27 2023
5

I’m always amazed that AC/DC managed to come back with one of the greatest rock albums of all time after losing their original frontman (an absolute legend). How is it that even possible!? This is pure rock at its best. Sometimes you just need something to blow out the cobwebs. My favourite is the closer - Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution. I love it’s slow start with the guitar and the drums cave-manning their way on in. This album is fun as fuck.

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Nov 21 2023
5

A very nearly perfect album in its sequence of songs, quality of match between lyrics, intent and musical style. Just great!

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Aug 16 2023
5

A big part of my youth and as important now as it was then. Stunning songs, perfectly performed. A stellar debut appearance by Brian Johnson, a rhythm section you could set your watch by, Angus doing his thing but as ever, it’s Malcolm’s balls to the wall rhythm guitar that is the real star turn. Stone wall classic.

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Oct 05 2021
5

Another AC/DC album, and easily another classic. The second best-selling album of all time, right behind Thriller. Just like Highway to Hell, this one holds a lot of memories for me. I used to listen to this as a kid quite a bit. I could get away with saying "hell" in Hell's Bells. I've always been obsessed with the opening of the title track, but who isn't? I think overall I prefer Highway to Hell, but the hits on this one run deep as well. Imagine being AC/DC, losing your lead singer, and then coming back a year later with an album that rocks just as hard, if not harder, than anything you've made. This one's special. There's so much energy and heat here, and so many of the tracks are very horny, it almost seems like parody. But damn, they really did this. I can't say anything bad about this, I just love it. Favorite tracks: Back in Black, You Shook Me All Night Long, Hell's Bells, Let Me Put My Love Into You, Shoot to Thrill. Album art: Just enough. Barely more than a plain black cover, but the stenciled text is a great touch. I guess this is as funereal as a heavy metal rock band can afford to be. 5/5

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Aug 19 2021
5

This is how a hard rock record should sound. The songs are great - nothing particularly ground-breaking or avant-garde, but amazing riffs, fantastic to sing along to, and definitely elicits an emotional response (especially when turned up loud). Some questionable lyrics, but they never took themselves too seriously and I don't think they expected the audience to either. In terms of overall sound, it's clear to see why this album is held up as one of the pinnacles of hard rock production. Solid rhythm section, and the guitars all sound incredible. The sound of a Gibson into a Marshall and turned up loud can't be beaten. Guitar solos suit the music perfectly, as do Brian Johnson's vocals. Makes me want to go grab my guitar and turn it up loud.

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Mar 03 2021
5

This album is fantastic. The first entry from their new lead singer(after the death of their previous one) is their best outing. Show casing a new vocal sound that is today the opitome of ACDCs iconic music. This album plays almost like a greatest hits album containing numerous songs that are mainstays on any rock radio staion(or playlist - "helps bells", "shoot to thrill", "back in black", "you shook me all night long" and "rock and roll ain't noise pollution") but even the lesser tracks on this album are still great songs("what do you do for the money honey", "given the dog a bone" and "shake a leg"). This album hits high on almost every song and delivers the iconic sound we love from one of rocks greatest bands.

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Feb 26 2021
5

Day 39 of Albums You Must Hear Before You Die! It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n roll, that is, unless you’re AC/DC. The Young brothers, Malcom and Angus had a vision in the early Seventies to bring straight forward, hard edged, and unapologetic Rock ‘n Roll bangers to the masses. AC/DC was a hard working band that had no problem grinding it out on the road, and their hard work would pay off in a huge way. Although the years ahead would bring tragedy and line-up changes, they would deliver time and time again. From 1974-1980, with Bon Scott as the lead singer and charismatic frontman, AC/DC would turn every record they touched into something better than gold, they turned them all into platinum. T.N.T., High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and Let There Be Rock, would all be released in that time and any band in the world would be able to comfortably say that their musical careers had been a success and ride off into the sunset. When AC/DC prepared to record their sixth album, Highway to Hell, they parted from long time producers Harry Vanda and brother George Young, and ushered in Mutt Lange, who would help steer the band into a whole new stratosphere of rock. Highway to Hell would become their highest selling album up to that point and go on to be known as one of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. Singer Bon Scott would live out all of the excesses of a Rock God in his public and personal life, respectively. When he passed away unexpectedly in early 1980, his absence left an obvious gaping hole in the band. It seemed that AC/DC’s residency at the top of their game had come to an abrupt end. AC/DC isn’t the kind of band that rolls over and dies. When Bon Scott’s mother gave her blessing to continue on without her son, they soon recruited Brian Johnson to join the group. Bon Scott had seen Johnson perform before his death and highly recommended that the guys check him out sometime. Wanting to give tribute to their fallen band mate gave AC/DC the fuel to create their next album, and they did so in record time. In July 1980, only six months after Scott’s death, AC/DC would release Back in Black, once again collaborating with producer Mutt Lange. Back in Black was meant to have a totally black cover in memory of Scott, something that their label was very against, so they compromised and released the record with a mostly all black cover with just the title in grey. Due to the circumstances, most people would expect the band to take a more somber approach to the album. Hell no, AC/DC paid their respects by bringing the same frenzied energy to Back in Black that they were known to always have. Brian Johnson was the perfect frontman to step in on vocals. He didn’t try to replace Scott or mimic him at all. The opening track, Hell’s Bells starts off with the ominous ringing of a massive bell, setting the tone for Back in Black’s dark, yet pumped up approach. Their are no taboo topics on this rebirth. Death, Hell, drinking, partying, sex, it’s all there. When the most famous guitar riff of all time kicks in on the albums title song, Back in Black, I still feel the hairs on my neck rise. On You Shook Me All Night Long, you can feel the drums hit you in the chest as if you’re on the stage with the band. This is one of the cleanest recorded albums of all time, and it really shines because of its rough and rugged content. Have a Drink On Me and Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution are songs that you will still hear played on neighborhood bar jukeboxes around the world to this day. My personal favorite song on Back In Black is Let Me Put My Love Into You, it never loses its shine or sex appeal 40 years later. AC/DC had the perfect balance of Blues infused hard rock and work ethic that made them accessible to anyone that’s not a Bible thumping prude that can’t separate music entertainment from reality. My first memories of AC/DC come from my Uncle Mike. He always played their records at maximum volume that would vibrate the Angus Young plastered posters taped to his bedroom walls, and I thank him for that. (I can still picture Angus Young in his school boy outfit, with horns poking out from his hat, he’s my favorite). Back In Black is still the second highest selling album in the world. Let that sink in. There is no other band before AC/DC or to follow, that can overcome the loss of their frontman at the peak of their career, and go on to not only recover, but soar even higher than before. I’ll leave you with one last fact that I find to be especially impressive. While most albums have many, many songs recorded before selecting the final tracks that will go on the record, and leaving the rest on the cutting room floor, AC/DC recorded only 10 songs, all of which made it to the final cut. Then sold over 50 million copies of Back in Black... Mind blowing. Please share your thoughts, memories and opinions!!

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Mar 05 2025
4

A BANGER with nothing but classics and a pace that just keeps going. THIS is what rock will forever and always be about. 8.5/10

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Dec 24 2024
4

I'm not sure exactly why I had become convinced that neither AC/DC nor this album specifically were present in the 1001-Albums project, but I'm very happy to discover that I was wrong. Even those among us who might not particularly enjoy AC/DC would likely have to acknowledge that this is definitely an album to hear before you die. I'm not really able to listen to this album with fresh ears, but I hope it sounds as distinctive and hard-hitting for those who've never heard this album before as it does to everyone else who couldn't possibly have avoided hearing many of their classics on the radio (or streaming for the younger fans). This album is jam-packed with so many of their classics, it's hard to believe that it's actually their 7th studio album. One of the things that always confused me in my teenage years was how similar-sounding Brian Johnson tried to be to the recently deceased Bon Scott. Johnson never quite achieved the same unbelievably distinctive growl as Scott, but it's an impressive transition nonetheless. I suspect this album would have earned a full five stars if Bon Scott had been lead vocals, but it's still a fun album. And I'm kind of glad I never watched any of their videos back in the day, because they are one *homely* group of Aussies (well, Limeys and Aussies). The various stage videos from this album showcase how strangely disproportionate Malcolm Young is, with a small guy playing a *huge* guitar, and his younger brother Angus is of course renowned for goofy outfits and equally goofy head, while Brian Johnson's absurd newsboy-cap kind of completes the awkward rebel-schoolboy look. But they certainly knew how to rock.

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Dec 14 2023
4

great to hear this again, didn't know it was the 2nd highest selling album ever, but why not?

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Sep 22 2023
4

More Songs About Alcohol and Fucking

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Jan 17 2025
3

Once you listen to the lyrics it's hard to get past the misogyny. It's a theme. It hasn't aged well (also wasn't cool at the time). Admittedly though, I enjoyed it for a bit. The first half of the album is definitely better than the second; there's only so much greasy hip thrusting and fist pumping that one can do. "Back in Black" s an anthem, worthy of album title status. I like a good guitar solo, and this has plenty. "Let Me Put My Love Into You" brings the misogyny to the sexual assault arena, then it's not so low-key and I found it hard to enjoy. I'm marking down for misogyny and sameyness.

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Mar 12 2024
3

Dad rock to the max, simply the daddest album to ever rock. Makes me wanna crack open a cold one, cross my legs on the coffee table and complain 'that they just don't make music like they used to'. ... meh/10

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Feb 15 2022
3

Back in black banger, Rest of it is not too bad, Wow it sold a lot. 6/10

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Sep 13 2021
3

Proof that Black Sabbath served a purpose. This mob learnt from their shortcomings, at least. Too serious? Um, they're wearing school uniform. Failure to deliver on their image? Not possible, the songs are literally *about* rocking very hard. Bypassed lyrics on the highway to riffs? Nope. This is pure poetry: "Back in the back / Of a Cadillac / Number one with a bullet, I'm a power pack / Yes, I'm in a bang / With a gang / They've got to catch me if they want me to hang." Too basic? I mean, the aim is to wipe their grubby heinies in your sour moosh and that's exactly what they do. In short, I had a blast because I was getting ready for a wedding and wanted to get pumped up. This did the trick. Is it a three? It was then so it is now.

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Oct 22 2024
2

I can barely get thru this icl for a rock album, it’s solid but it rly isn’t for me. get why oldheads fw this tho, just singin abt women bein sheisty n shit

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Jul 29 2025
5

The write up maybe kicked this to a 5 for me.

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Jul 25 2025
5

On est choyé avec 2 AC/DC en peu de temps.

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Jul 25 2025
5

Tous des incroyables hits. C'est overstated, et on est tous tannés de les entendre à l'instar de Stairway to Heaven et Bohemian Rhapsody, mais une oreille dédiée et c'est un incroyable album.

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Jul 25 2025
5

Un autre classique du hard rock. Des riffs simples mais mémorables, des refrains que tu peux chanter à tue tête. Que demander de plus vraiment? Tu viens pas ici chercher de la subtilité. J’aimais mieux Highway to Hell et Bon Scott, pas contre. What do you do for money, honey?

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Jul 19 2025
5

What AC/DC do best. Not a bad track to be found.

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Jul 17 2025
5

magnifico, glorioso

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Jul 15 2025
5

The best comeback album after your lead singer died? Probably. It shreds. Don't think too hard about it, it's not meant to be dissected. 4.5/5

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Jul 14 2025
5

Soundtrack to the youthful, hormone laden Friday night. Chauvinist and a relic of its time, sure. But this album sonically rocks. The lyrics are not for deep contemplation, it’s for just giviner on a fun filled weekend out in the bush.

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Jul 14 2025
5

Rock and roll ain’t noise pollution. Enough said.

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Jul 12 2025
5

Pure unadulterated rock and roll Love it!

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Jul 12 2025
5

Discazo, todos telones, siempre me gustó que este disco arranque con Hells Bells porque hace que el disco ya arranque con mística. Y los temas no tan “comerciales” todos unas joyas hermosas.

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Jul 12 2025
5

Es un discazo obvio que le voy a poner 5 estrellas

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Jul 10 2025
5

"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever." --This Is Spinal Tap

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Jul 10 2025
5

ugh i love this album.

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Jul 09 2025
5

Solid through and through. Great album.

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Jul 08 2025
5

Excellent. Rocked throughout.Glad I've finally given this a chance

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Jul 07 2025
5

I've written that I like big, dumb, fun, rock music in so many reviews throughout this project. And there may be albums that are bigger, dumber, or more fun than this one. But how many of them had the almost supernatural combination of right singer, right producer, right band at the right time? Quickly: none of them. If you don't know by now, you never will.

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Jun 30 2025
5

At this point, this is just too perfectly stupid to hate on.

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Jun 17 2025
5

Det er enkelt og tidvis teit, men bra.

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Jun 16 2025
5

Great party album. This simpleton loves it.

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Jun 16 2025
5

Solid. Very solid. This album doesn’t wear me out like some AC/DC albums do. It’s not as repetitive as some of the albums get. It’s dark and you really feel like you’re summoning the devil is you listen too long so I don’t. I’m like a 2 song at a listen person. That’s called protection. A great cover of Hells Bells is done by the Dandy Warhols FYI Choice cut: Hell’s Bells

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Jun 14 2025
5

Hells Bells is a great opener but there's really not a bad song on here. It's just uncomplicated rock and roll, butits simplicity is part of its enduring appeal.

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Jun 14 2025
5

Legendary band & album. Worst part is that today, it's giving Tony Stark.

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Jun 14 2025
5

This album has the lyrical depth of a puddle, but it goes to show that not everything needs to be deep. Catchy riffs and dirty vocals, what more do you need? A rock ‘n’ roll classic!

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Jun 14 2025
5

Brilliant order of songs enhance the album’s overall status. A perfect side, instead, becomes a near perfect record. 4.5

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Jun 12 2025
5

Tribute til tidligere forsanger i AC/DC Bon SCott. i stedet for at splittes tog de Brian johnson ind og så lavede de sgu en af verdens bedste rock albums. Det er det anden mest sælgende album nogensinde. inspirerede guns n roses, nirvana, metallica og mange andre.

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Jun 09 2025
5

Was shocked by the death of Bon Scott but the band came back w a vengeance and set themselves at the top of rock mountain with this.

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Jun 06 2025
5

Innuendo filled. Juvenile. Catchy as hell.

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Jun 06 2025
5

the only thing I can say about this album is that it feels like having a cig with my boyfriend in his car, windows down, night city lights washing over us both, hysterical laughter and the radio loud enough to bother every car around us. happy, in love, smelling of marlboros and sex. yeah

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