Released in 1980, "Back In Black" featured new lead singer Brian Johnson who replaced former singer Bonn Scott who died months earlier. With the death of Scott, there were sceptics that thought this was the end of the hard rocking Aussy band. But to their surprise "Back In Black" was a huge success with absolutely no filler tracks. The album produced a number of hits with the title "Back In Black", "Hells Bells" and "You Shook Me All Night Long". In my opinion some of the best songs on the album were not hits such as "Shoot To Thrill", "What Do You Do For Money Honey" and "Shake A Leg". With the addition of Johnson to the line up the band seemed to be stronger than ever, and Angus Young's guitar licks are absolutely amazing. Just listen to the lead guitar in "Shake A Leg" and I'm sure you'd agree. Numerous soundtracks have included AC/DC songs from this album, notably the Steven King film "Maximum Overdrive" which featured "Hells Bells" and "You Shook Me All Night Long". This newley remastered edition of "Back In Black" now on the Epic Label surpasses the older 1994 remastered version in that the volume is pumped up higher, there's definately more bottom end and mid-range. I actually listened to both versions of the disc and this new one blows the other away. The digipack that stores the new remastered version is attractive and there's an excellent booklet inclosed with color photos, etc. of the band. If you want to hear hard rock the way it was meant to be then pick this superb cd up and enjoy.

OK, firstly, AC/DC's catalogue is now going through Epic/Sony, after 20+ years of being in the Warner family. Now, hearing these new reissues, esp. "Back In Black", is like having a wool blanket removed from the speakers. These are taken from the original 2-track masters, first time ever, and the difference really shows!! This doesn't sound like an album recorded 23 years ago!! It sounds like it was recorded just yesterday!! As a result, you can file AC/DC's "Back In Black" under the category TIMELESS PURE UNADULTERATED ROCK N ROLL!!

Produced by UBERPRODUCER Robert John "Mutt" Lange, aka Mr Shania Twain, this album, and the 1 before + one after, are what gave him his reputation as a producer. As later with Def Leppard, Foreigner and especially Shania Twain, Mutt's trademarks are the boosting of the middleranges and emphasis on lead vocals + backing GANG vocals. This really shows on BIB, and you can hear this influence on those later records. Basically, the guy deserves his wealth, as he knew what he was doing, and this album is just very well-done, period.

The band is at the top of their game as well, which really was a miracle, considering the circumstances. The great Bon Scott dying tragically, and getting the whiskey-soaked Brian Johnson, formerly of Geordie, to take his place. This coulda been a disaster bar none, but Brian was a perfect fit, still with the band to this day, the album was a masterpiece, songwriting, performance-wise, and production-wise, and this all happened as their popularity just exploded!!

Every song is a gem, a perfect example of pure, pull-no-punches, back-to-basics, bluesy rock + roll. It seems like every song here was a hit too, as each one had it's share of airplay on rock radio, plus 2 singles made the US Top 40!! The songs never grow old either, don't sound dated or show their age. Every song works on their own as a single, yet flow masterfully from beginning to end as a complete work. Basically, the album was flawless, is flawless, and will continue to BE flawless!! It's one of those albums, where if someone asks you what rock + roll is, you can play him/her this album, and you can say "here's your answer". From the doomy opening "Hells Bells" to the catchy energetic "Shoot To Thrill" to the golddigger putdown "What Do You Do For Money Honey" to the raunchy "Givin The Dog A Bone" to the slow seductive "Let Me Put My Love Into You" to the classic 1-2 punch "Back In Black" + "You Shook Me All Night Long" (covered by Anastacia + Celine Dion??!!?? on VH1 Divas Las Vegas) to the cool "Have A Drink On Me" to the catchy "Shake A Leg" and ending with the statement of purpose "Rock + Roll Ain't Noise Pollution", with the line "It's Just Rock + Roll, yeah", it's just a perfect album, period!!

Buy it and treasure it. Guaranteed, in 50 years, it will sound shiny and new. Believe me, if you think pop music is all plastic ... these days, all manufactured and just junk, pop this baby on, and your faith in rock + roll will be instantly renewed.

May AC/DC keep on going and going and going....

I am not reviewing the musical content....we all know this is one of the great Rock albums of all time. I am reviewing the NEW release and specifically the VIDEO DOCUMENTARY which they advertise at approx 30 minutes WRONG...its about 21 minutes and on the back of the disc they push IN-Studio performances by Malcolm and Angus Young of "Hells Bells, You Shook me All night Long" " Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" "Shoot to Thrill" and more! sounds great right? WRONG...it is snipits of them playing a lick here or there..VERY misleading...

its a nice 20 minute documentary but hardly what EPIC claims it to be...

i would still buy this again....as it is stunning sound and the small documentary is fun but don't expect much..

Over a 25-year long career (until now, that is) AC/DC has has quite a lot of good, average, great albums. This one, however, is usually considered their best. Why? Well, many reasons. First of all, the album itself shows the band in top form; never you will ever experience again such a monolithic rock album. From start (the dark intro of a bell leading to the "I'm a rolling thunder, a pourin' rain, I'm coming on like a hurricane" rising power) to end (the bluesy, free "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution") every single moment, every single song will keep you in tension; new singer Brian Johnson enjoys what is the finest moment of his entire career, delivering vocals from the unearthy-powerful, as in the hard rock classic "Shoot To Thrill", to the melodic chorus of "You Shook Me All Night Long", or even to the lower, bluesy feeling of the aforementioned "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution". With Angus Young playing two of his best solos ever in Hells Bells and the title track, and completed with the full-time force rock attack of the rest of the band, this album stands strong like a monument forged in steel. What makes this album such an unforgettable piece of rock history is however, other than the awesome song quality, the incredible "tribute to Bon Scott" (the AC/DC singer who died in 1980 and whom the whole album is dedicated) atmosphere you can feel through the whole thing. The atmosphere starts off dark and mournful, leading through a rock rebirth and paying the band's tribute to the old friend through the title-track words "Back in Black, I hit the sack, I've been too long and I'm glad to be back, yes I'm let loose from the noose that's kept me hangin' about, I keep lookin' at the sky 'cause it's gettin' me high, forget the hearse 'cause I'll never die, I got nine lives, cat's eyes, abusin' everyone of them and running wild"...

AC-DC was in disarray when this album came out: The previous lead singer had died of alcohol poisoning. Most said the band's best music had been played. Nobody expected much.

This album was a monster. Considering the tired and irritatingly "artistic" sound of the Who and Led Zeppelin, Back in Black kicked ass. Listening to this album made you want to grab a stick and break something.

The opening riff of "Shoot to Thrill" can cause carpal tunnel syndrome trying to crank up the volume.

"Given the Dog a Bone" was a nightmare for English teachers and feminists, alike. Arguably, if the act was completed, then the verb tense of the title was proper.

Many complained that the title song was evil and anti-religious, that it was a poster child for reincarnation, that Brian Johnson was really Bon Scott, rising from the dead. Those people are now probably listening to Curt Cobain, and crying, while drinking cafe mocha.

Others com! plained that the music was just simple. So damn what. Ten songs, three chord guitar, screaming vocals. No "rock opera," no social messages, just drink, smoke, and screw.

Isn't that the way it's supposed to be?