AC/DC - Back In Black (1980)

Many followers of the bands classic boogie rock were not only shocked by the death of band frontman Bon Scott, but moreso by the band's rapid return to action. There were the sceptics who trashed idea of such an immediate album, but in 'Back In Black' AC/DC pulverised their audience and in Brian Johnson had found a singer with a rasp, not to match Bon, but to be worthy of carrying the flag for the band.
'Back In Black' doesn't have the lazy, sneering drool of the last few classics, but it has anthems that will live forever, even in their cartoon pomp of sex, parties and rock 'n' roll.
Many loyal fans argued that the band would lose their edge and become a parody of themselves, bereft of Bon's drunken growls, but what happened on this hugely successful record was something akin to the world being blasted by a new band, a re-invented combo with razor blade edge and new ambition.
You only have to scan the track listing to admire how the band once again churned out the classics, timeless heavy metal numbers. 'Hells Bells' is an AC/DC classic, and Brian Johnson takes on the riffs with his throaty wheezes, 'You Shook Me All Night Long' and the title cut are just gargantuan tracks, and there's the cheekiness in there also, 'Given The Dog A Bone', which had the feminists foaming at the mouth, and 'Let Me Put My Love Into You'. It's typical AC/DC, but then again it isn't. It's Angus and his three-chord genius, it's sharp, melodic rock 'n' roll, that is a fitting tribute to Bon Scott, but also an important record in keeping AC/DC perched at the top of the game.

8.5/10