Hello fellow AC/DC fans, I have 2 thoughts on this release and it goes for the rest of the catalog reissues as well. If you have never bought this release or bought a copy before 1994 then I would definitely buy this. The package and the sound are great.

However, if you, like myself bought the first "original tapes remastered" version released in 1994 , I would pass. It sounds exactly the same as the new "original two track remasters". If you want to upgrade for the pkg(new cd booklet) then go for it. If you are looking for miracle updated sound forget it. By the way, the 5 stars are for the point of view of "I don't have this yet and wonder if its worth it." For me the person on the third round of AC/DC reissues, it rates 2 stars for the Digipak and Book!

HIGHWAY TO HELL was legendary hard rock band AC/DC's breakthrough album. Released in the summer of 1979, the record kept climbing higher and higher on the Billboard charts, finally peaking at #17 and quickly going gold by the end of the year. But every high is undercut by a staggering low. Bon Scott, the original lead singer of AC/DC up to this point, died just months later by axphisyation from drinking too much alcohol. He became another cliched rock & roll tragedy, but we can revisit Bon's power and passion on this masterwork of sleazy blues/metal.

Although I love BACK IN BLACK (the praised follow-up featuring Brian Johnson on vocal duties), I believe now that HIGHWAY TO HELL is a far superior effort. Bon Scott's vocal range and abilities are superb on this album, but he's quite possibly the most clever lyricist this side of Steven Tyler. Plus, he has a greater sense of melody and direction than Brian Johnson does. This album is chock full of so much energy...it's insane!

The record starts off with the classic title track, which still gets radio airplay 22 years later. "Walk All Over You" and "Beating Around the Bush" are two great examples of AC/DC's style: simple blues-based heavy metal played with the speed and energy of punk rock. Angus Young shines on both tracks, as his lightning-fast riffs tear through your speakers like a buzzsaw. Bon's lyrical talent and range are showcased perfectly on "Touch Too Much." My personal favorite off this album is the last track, "Night Prowler." This is the darkest and most atmospheric song AC/DC have ever done. Angus Young's bluesy guitar solo is absolutely amazing, probably his best, as it expertly accompanies Bon's menacing delivery and Malcolm Young's steady and quiet backup rhythm.

This album is just great--simply put. It's louder, faster, and heavier than BACK IN BLACK. The solid grooves of drummer Phil Rudd and bassist Cliff Williams are nitch-perfect, the songs stick in your head like glue, and Augus and Malcolm Young make a great guitar duo. I love HIGHWAY TO HELL. Bon Scott, may you rest in peace, sir. You were the man.

Wow.... this is what remastering is good for. The sound, the energy and intensity is incredible. This sounds like it was just recorded yesterday! Now, if you haven't heard at least one song off this album, chances are you are a complete recluse. This is one of the ultimate hard rock/heavy metal masterpieces of all time. Every song rocks hard and every song is a winner. No fillers here. So quit wasting your money on all this nu-metal and modern pop garbage and get some of the REAL stuff.

Ignore the naysayers who criticize this album and AC/DC in general. AC/DC is one of the greatest bands in rock history. Whether you consider them blues-rock, hard rock, heavy metal, or just down-to-earth rock 'n' roll, they do it great. Don't believe me? Look at all the albums they've sold and their tremendous fan base.

Anyway, back to the review...

Even though I wasn't born in the '70s, it was a great time for music. Bands like Led Zeppelin, KISS, Aerosmith, Queen, Rush, Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult etc. etc. etc., were achieving great success and producing great albums. AC/DC was no acception.

Although such early albums like "High Voltage" and "Let There Be Rock" were hard-rockin' classics, AC/DC was never really considered a "commercial" success. And by that, I DO NOT mean a sell-out band. I just mean that their records didn't sell as well as some other bands. However, that all changed with "Highway To Hell". I read that as of May '06, "Highway..." sold more than 7 million copies. More than that, Highway To Hell was a statement. If the '70s were closing out, they were closing out with a bang.

"Highway To Hell" 10/10: Absolutely killer song! The heavy guitar, especially in the solo section, and the groovy, pounding drums partner with the anthemic lyrics. Great rocker with a great hook. This is the type of song that everybody can like. My mom even loves this song whenever she hears it on the radio!

"Girl's Got Rhythm" 10/10: Terrific follow-up to the title track. Fantastic, blues riff and great chorus. I wouldn't be surprised if this was released as a single.

"Walk All Over You" 10/10: This five-minute headbanger shows AC/DC's maturity as songwriters. Love the progressive intro and the fast riff and drumbeat show just how hard these guys can rock. Awesome solos and great ending, THIS is a great song.

"Touch Too Much" 10/10: Very cool song with a catchy chorus and some hard-rockin' guitars/drum combo. I just love it when Bon Scott sings "She's got the body of Venus with arms.".

"Beating Around The Bush" 10/10: SPECTACULAR!!! I love this song, in fact, it's ones of my favorites on the album. The lyrics are funny and do a great job accompanying the rhythm that boasts a killer guitar riff.

"Shot Down In Flames" 8/10: Very good opener to the B-side of the album. Like I said, there are no weak tracks, but this one doesn't stand out as much as some tracks from the first half of the disc.

"Get It Hot" 10/10: Probably the first AC/DC song I know that's only two and a half minutes, but definitely NOT filler. The riff is simple, but catchy, and this would serve as a great song to dance to.

"If You Want Blood (You Got It)" 9/10: Another catchy one that just seems to be an awesome track to listen to while driving down the highway, for some reason or another.

"Love Hungry Man" 9/10: Once again, the lyrics really accompany the rhythm, and this is a great track about a common rock and roll topic... basically, finding a great woman by love at first sight. It's been done before, but this is something of a stand-out.

"Night Prowler" 10/10: Slower, almost epic song and an interesting way to close out the album. Although it's kinda dark, I heard somewhere it pokes fun at something or another. I don't really know what, but this song is, kinda obviously, something to listen to at night. Right at the end, Bon Scott quotes Mork and Mindy by saying, "Shazbot! Nanu nanu!" This was rumored to be the last take ever recorded by Scott, and the creepy thing about it is how "Shazbot! Nanu! Nanu!", was a way Mork used to end transmissions with his home planet with.

Anyway, "Highway To Hell" is a classic rock album that should be in everybody's collection, especially if you love '70s music, hard rock, blues-based stuff, and of course, AC/DC! Rock on!

This is the most essential AC/DC album around. It is the last one before lead singer Bon Scott died. Every song will rattle your teeth and leave you begging for more. The band also shows it can play hard blues, as the closing track "Night Prowler" proves. The title track, "Shot Down In Flames," "Walk All Over You," and "Girls Got Rhythm" will have you banging your head. If you are a fan of this band and do not own this album, then pic it up immediately.