AC/DC will release their first new album in six years, an 11-track collection named "Rock Or Bust" on December 2nd. The band also confirmed that founding guitarist Malcolm Young has retired due to ill health and will not be returning to the group.
AC/DC will embark on a world tour in to promote "Rock Or Bust" and celebrate the band's 40th anniversary, with Angus and Malcolm Young's nephew Stevie stepping in for Malcolm on rhythm guitar. Stevie played on the new CD, which was recorded at the Warehouse Studio in Vancouver with producer Brendan O’Brien. O'brien produced AC/DC's Black Ice album and projects by Aerosmith, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam among others.
Starting September 27, Turner Sports will provide fans a sneak peek of the new song "Play Ball" as part of the 2014 Major League Baseball Postseason campaign.
According to drummer Phil Rudd, tour plans had not yet been finalized, but he expected to return to the road shortly. "I'll get a call a month before they need me. We've done some long, hard tours. It's not easy. You do it for 18 months, you're the walking dead when you finish, especially as you get older. But everything's great in the band, we're ready to fire up on all cylinders again."
Stevie Young played with AC/DC once before during a 1988 tour, while Malcolm stepped out to deal with his dependency on alcohol. Legend has it that Stevie resembled his uncle closely enough that many fans reportedly didn’t even know Malcolm had left the tour.
-Spencer