New music from AC/DC – it’s what the world needs right now

To say the year 2020 has been ‘challenging’ would be putting it mild. More like the understatement of all time. Planet earth has been rocked by a deadly pandemic that has impacted all countries. Politics and riots have also filled the TV screen.

Then there is the sad, long list of musicians who’ve left us: Neil Peart from Rush, The Sweet’s Steve Priest, producer Martin Birch, Peter Green, Paul Chapman and Pete Way from the mighty UFO, Quiet Riot’s Frankie Banali, fellow-drummer Lee Kerslake, Molly Hatchett’s Steve Holland and quite recently – Walter Lure from the Heartbreakers. The passing of Eddie Van Halen this week has again shocked many of us and it was another kick in the guts that rock fans didn’t need.

Then from seemingly out of nowhere, the mighty AC/DC release new music – their first since 2014’s ‘Rock or Bust’.
Be in no doubt – ‘Shot In the Dark’ the thumping first single lifted from the ‘Power Up’ album – is just the tonic the world needs right now.
The familiar sound of Angus’ guitar work at the song’s intro – followed by the unmistakable rhythm punch of Rudd and Williams is truly wonderful. Like opening the door to an old friend.

I’ve already heard the negative whine of some critics with their tiresome ‘it’s just the same old thing/nothing new here’ commentary. Move along.

Shall I remind these critics of big brother George Young’s advice to the band in Sydney back in the mid-1970’s: ‘Don’t fuck with the formula.‘

They never have and they never will – and for that, we are truly grateful.

Power Up is out November 13 – https://pwrup.acdc.com