The band's legendary frontman Bon Scott died shortly after 'Highway To Hell' hit the racks, proving that the rock 'n' roll lifestyle is what the title suggested. The album though was a fitting epitaph to a great singer who had the soul, charisma and voice that many frontmen can only dream of, and this is, by far, AC/DC's finest record, complete with a memorable sleeve, a simple band shot with Angus Young, clad in schoolboy outfit, clutching his own serpent tail and snarling beneath his horns. Classic image.The album itself is pretty faultless, no fillers, just sold rock 'n' roll, from the truly momentous title track with its furious chorus, and Bon's timeless drool of, "...I'm going down", backed with Young's riffs.
This was the groups first million seller, and even courted controversy with many critics believing the band were actually satanists, showing just how eager censors and other opposing groups were to jump on the bandwagon and publicly castrate any act who seemed to be promoting Satan and the darker forces.
The music is brooding, yet colourful, check out the shuffling groover 'Girls Got Rhythm' and Scott's high-pitched vocals, and then the slower 'Walk All Over You', to the full on rocker 'Touch Too Much', four tracks in and the album is already a classic.
'If You Want Blood (You Got It)' is an AC/DC monster, 'Get It Hot' and 'Love Hungry Man' are still fine songs but pale in comparison to some of the brilliance this record has to offer. A heavy metal meltdown.
9/10
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