AC/DC has reported that the band’s new album, “Rock Or Bust”, was recorded in just ten days, with singer Brian Johnson calling the prospect of laying down all the tracks for the CD in less than two weeks “impossible.”
For some time now, the rumor has been that the new album — AC/DC’s first without Malcolm Young was recorded in just 10 days. Brian Johnson admits that it went quickly, but not quite that quickly.
Asked about reports that AC/DC spent just ten dats making “Rock Or Bust”, Johnson told Ultimate Classic Rock : “No, no. It’s impossible. You’ve got four or five days of getting the sound right — at least. But it was very rapid; don’t get me wrong. It was like four to four and a half weeks in the studio. And after that [guitarist] Angus [Young] went with Brendan and did some more work on figuring which was best — ‘keep in and keep out’ type of thing. So that takes a bit longer, but that just goes with the territory; that’s part of the thing as well.”
AC/DC last week unveiled the full music video for “Play Ball”, the first single from “Rock Or Bust”. The clip marks the first official time that guitarist Stevie Young has appeared in a video with the group, and is also notable for the absence of Phil Rudd, who is replaced in the clip by Bob Richards.
Rock or Bust will be the band’s first album without founding member and rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who left the band in 2014 for health reasons. Malcolm’s departure was later clarified by the band and their management, saying that Malcolm was officially diagnosed with dementia and will possibly never play again.
Later this month, drummer Phil Rudd was arrested for attempting to procure the murder of two men. AC/DC made a statement the same day: “We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year.” It is not yet clear whether Rudd will remain with the band or not, or who might be his replacement. The attempted procurement charge against Rudd was dropped the following day; charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of cannabis and a charge of threatening to kill remained.
