In 2017, the rock world was saddened to learn that AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young had died from his dementia at the age of 64. Now, in a video counting down to the release of AC/DC’s new album Power Up, Malcolm’s brother Angus and vocalist Brian Johnson discuss his impact on the new record, and remember how much he lived for AC/DC.
“I know Mal’s not with us anymore, but he’s there with us in spirit,” says Angus. “This band was his baby, his life. He was always one [to say], ‘You keep going.’ His big line always, every now and again, he’d go, ‘If you’re a musician, it’s a bit like being on the Titanic, the band goes down with the ship.’ That’s how he viewed it.”
“He would’ve been proud of this,” says Johnson, pointing to the album.
Watch the whole video here:
The tracklisting and cover art for Power Up was officially announced last week, along with the first single, “Shot In The Dark.” Check out the full tracklist and song below:
- Realize
- Rejection
- Shot In The Dark
- Through The Mists Of Time
- Kick You When You’re Down
- Witch’s Spell
- Demon Fire
- Wild Reputation
- No Man’s Land
- Systems Down
- Money Shot
- Code Red
Power Up drops November 13th, and is available for preorder.
According to a new interview with Atlanta’s Rock 100.5, vocalist Brian Johnson says that it’s amazing we’re getting a new AC/DC album at all — but that once the band were in the room together again, it was obvious that this one was going to be good.
“It’s something probably nobody thought would happen,” said Johnson. “It was about 2018, and Angus was contacted by the record company, who said, ‘Do you fancy doing an album?’ And Angus said, ‘Well, let’s ask the boys.’ So he asked me and Cliff and Phil. And Stevie was there, obviously. And I think we all said ‘yes’ immediately; we just said, ‘This would be great.’ And, of course, we went off to Vancouver in about August. As soon as we walked in, there was this electricity, this bond that had been built up over 38 years since I joined. And, of course, when the boys plugged in, or powered up, if you’ll excuse the pun, and they started playing, that was it. It was a great time.”
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Words by Chris Kovatin
