Vi har knapt fått snudd oss tilbake i hvileposisjon etter DEATH MAGNETIC, før det nærmer seg slipp av AC/DC-albumet BLACK ICE.

Redaksjonen i Pyro har foreløpig ikke fått gleden av å høre australernes første plate siden STIFF UPPER LIP i 2000, men da vi surfet på Blabbermouth.net fant vi denne gjennomgangen av albumet fra en av forumdeltakerne:

Rock ‘N Roll Train
You’ve probably heard it already, and it’s a dynamite opener. Unmistakable Angus riff, thumping beat – you know who this band is. And what happened to Brian Johnson’s voice? In the past, he always sounded as though he was about to blow his aorta hitting his notes. Either time has allowed him to grow into his voice or his voice merely caught up to him, but his singing is full and gutsy. Angus is chomping at the bit to get to his solo – he starts playing before the second chorus is even over, and good for him, for it’s a stunner.

Skies On Fire
A stark drum beat gives way to a tangled chordal guitar riff. The syncopated beat of the verse is a bit different for AC/DC, but it works. Johnson sings a vocal line “I know you and you know me/ tell me what you want me to be” that is vaguely Lennon-esque. A biting bluesy solo from Angus.

Big Jack
From the title alone I know I’m going to like it, and I’m not wrong. This is one to play in the car, an up-tempo stomper with power chords that stumble overtop one another and land in all the right places. Angus pulls off some beautiful top-string riffing underneath the chorus. It’s hard to tell if Brian Johnson is singing “Big Jet” or “Big Jack,” but who cares? It rocks six ways to Sunday.

Anything Goes
There’s no opening riff; instead, it bursts right in the door and wastes no time getting going. It’s kind of a rock ‘n’ roll Irish jig, somewhat reminiscent of Slade’s Run Runaway, only better. Angus lets loose with some intense top-string trills before firing off another bracing solo. A winner all the way.

War Machine
Whoa…it’s getting ominous. The chord progression of the verse and chorus are in the same vein as Givin’ The Dog A Bone, only more sinister. But if any band has a right to nick from themselves, it’s AC/DC. Freaking hot solo, natch.

Smash N Grab
Is that a minor chord I hear in the pre-chorus? Nah, it can’t be. It is! Well, I’ll be…In truth, this mid-tempo rocker is the first coulda-been-a-contender so far. Not bad, but not one for the ages.

Spoilin’ For A Fight
Now, this is a riff! I have to learn how to play that tangled little beauty, for sure. Actually, the riff is the backbone of the song, as it should be – it’s that good! Brian Johnson really does sound like he’s ready for some heavy-duty action here. A toe-tapping, air-drum, air-guitar slam-ola.

Wheels
Straight out of the playbook from Highway To Hell – and that’s a good thing. Johnson is really reaching for the notes here. I’ve always wondered if he has to grab his Brian Johnson when trying to get to those special places. Beautiful vibrato in the guitar solo. Best instrumental break yet.

Decibel
A delicious, grinding, thumping bit of blues-rock. This might be the number where Angus his striptease live – it’s got that smirking kind of bad-boy vibe to it. Good stuff all around. Is Brian Johnson singing “decibel” or “Jezebel”? Hard to tell. Not important though.

Stormy May Day
Wow, what a cool, greasy slide guitar riff! And those floor toms punch you right in the chest. A gritty, punchy mid-tempo stand-out with some surprising minor key changes. Great change of pace.

She Likes Rock N Roll
Ding-ding-ding! We have another winner, folks! With a beat so undeniably sexy, this song just might replace Girls! Girls! Girls! as the next de rigueur strip club anthem. A tight verse and chorus that absolutely floors you. Gang vocals galore – “She likes rock n roll/ I like rock n roll!” Oh, yeah. I’m playing this in my car.

Money Made
A twisty little arpeggiated riff turns into a powerhouse of a song. Fantastic breakdown section – these guys really know their dynamics. Two rhythm guitar tracks sit atop one another and work wonders. Only brothers could pull off synchronicity such as this.

Rock N Roll Dream
My goodness, it’s almost a ballad. Tight hi-hat work by Rudd carries the beginning until…OK, we’re blasting off now! Total rock…Oh, but wait…now it’s a ballad again. Some varied guitar textures. This is the most elaborate production on the album, but it’s not forced. Very dreamlike. Takes you somewhere new. Fascinating.

Rocking All The Way
I’m feeling like it’s been an actual AC/DC concert by now, but 30 seconds into this track and I’m air-drumming again. Right when you think rock can’t get any better than this, the solo clamps down and it’s time to ride this one out. Deliriously good.

Black Ice
What sets this track apart from all the others is Phil Rudd, who finally explodes on the drums and shows you what tom rolls are really meant for. Everything is as it should be on the title cut. It’s the capper, the final encore, the song that reminds you of everything you’ve ever loved about AC/DC; the song that says, “Let’s go hang out with the buds and pop some Buds and enjoy rocking out for the sake of just rocking out.”

Well done, lads. Well, done. For those who have rocked me, I salute you!