Album Spotlight: ACDC - Highway to Hell

Highway to Hell is the sixth studio album for Australian rockers AC/DC, and is without a doubt one of their most popular. Along with Dirty Deeds, it’s a long-time favourite of mine during the Bon Scott era.

Produced by Robert‘Mutt’ Lange, Highway to Hell allowed the band to expand their audience and prepared them for their world domination that would come with the release their next album Back in Black.

Bon Scott’s last album (Scott died only a few months after the album’s release), Highway to Hell has catchy hooks and the heavy metal attitude AC/DC is well known for. The screeching vocals of Scott show a talented musician who lived fast, and died equally as fast.

In some ways it shows that while Back in Black is the album that brought them worldwide fame, it never would  have the same vibe as albums from the Bon Scott era.

One aspect to love about early AC/DC is the fact that while there's no doubt they're a Metal band, they're also pub rockers and show more than a few shades of blues.

Once Scott died, and Johnston took the reins those shades dimenished. Yes, Johnson brought them more fame than any of them could have imagined with his belting vocals and rough and ready style, but it also labelled solely as a Metal band. That’s not to take anything away from Johnston, who filled some big shoes and has done it unbelievable well. It's just facts.

With big power chords, even more powerful screeching vocals and endless versatility and energy, Highway to Hell is a fan's ultimate album.

From the first chords of ‘Highway to Hell’ (which incidentally also gave AC/DC it’s first U.S #1), the heavy drum beats of ‘Touch Too Much’ to the final chords of ‘Night Prowler’ this album oozes intensity and shows why AC/DC have managed to survive over three decades.

Then there's the fact the Young Brothers are solid songwriters, and have managed to interlace racy lyrics with solid riffs, and flying guitar solos. As guitarists go, AC/DC have one of the best in the world in Angus Young.

It’s hard not to be impressed with this album, whether it’s because of ‘Highway to Hell’ with it’s now famous riffs, or the blues-influenced ‘Beating Around the Bush’ or the high-cackle of Scott on ‘Shot Down In Flames’.

If you’ve lived in a cave for the past thirty odd years and never heard Bon Scott’s AC/DC, then I suggest getting your hands on Highway to Hell.

Tracks not to miss: Highway To Hell, Shot Down In Flames, If You Want Blood, Touch Too Much.

An album that has been sitting in my CD collection not played for way too long. A classic, but a goodie.