AC/DC – Black Ice (2008): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in October 2008, Black Ice is the seventeenth studio album by Australian hard rock legends AC/DC. Produced by Brendan O’Brien, the album marked the band’s first studio release in eight years following Stiff Upper Lip (2000), and it quickly became a commercial and critical success.
Black Ice is a return to AC/DC’s signature hard rock formula, featuring crunching riffs, anthemic choruses, and Brian Johnson’s powerhouse vocals, while maintaining the high-energy sound that has defined the band for decades.
Album Overview
With 15 tracks, Black Ice delivers a mix of blistering rockers and mid-tempo grooves, emphasizing tight rhythm sections, soaring guitar riffs, and stadium-ready hooks. Lyrically, the album covers themes of love, rebellion, and rock ‘n’ roll excess, staying true to AC/DC’s classic storytelling style.
Standout tracks such as Rock ‘n’ Roll Train and War Machine highlight the band’s ability to craft immediate, memorable rock songs suitable for both radio and live performances. The album also showcases Angus Young’s blistering guitar solos and the solid backbone of Malcolm Young and Cliff Williams.
Tracklist – AC/DC: Black Ice (2008)
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Train
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Skies on Fire
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Big Jack
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Anything Goes
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Black Ice
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Money Made
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream
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War Machine
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Smash ‘n’ Grab
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Wheels
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Decibel
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Stormy May Day
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She Likes Rock ‘n’ Roll
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Goodbye & Good Riddance to Bad Luck
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Tailgunner
Album Review
Black Ice opens with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train,” a hard-hitting anthem with one of Angus Young’s most iconic riffs, immediately setting a high-energy tone. “Big Jack” and “Anything Goes” showcase AC/DC’s ability to deliver fun, riff-driven rock with catchy choruses.
The title track “Black Ice” and “War Machine” highlight the band’s stadium-ready sound, combining powerful rhythm sections with aggressive guitar riffs. Slower tracks like “Stormy May Day” add dynamic contrast, while maintaining the album’s overall rock intensity.
Overall, Black Ice is a triumphant return, blending classic AC/DC elements with modern production, proving the band’s relevance in the 21st century while staying true to their hard rock roots.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: Black Ice debuted at #1 in 29 countries, including the US, UK, and Australia.
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• Trivia: The album was recorded in Vancouver, Canada, over a period of several months, emphasizing a focused, collaborative process.
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• Did You Know? Rock ‘n’ Roll Train was the lead single and quickly became a live staple for AC/DC.
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• Fun Fact: Black Ice is AC/DC’s first album to feature 15 tracks, making it one of their longest studio albums.
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• Did You Know? The album was certified multi-platinum in multiple countries, highlighting the band’s enduring global appeal.
Black Ice (2008) is a high-energy, riff-driven hard rock album that reaffirms AC/DC’s status as one of rock’s most enduring and influential bands. With stadium-ready anthems and timeless hooks, it remains essential listening for fans of classic and modern AC/DC.
