Black Ice
by AC/DC
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Oct 20, 2008
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 103
  3. Negative: 5 out of 103

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  1. DonldTrump_45Th
    Jan 26, 2023
    10
    Hello, this is a default review because i'm forced to use 75 characters. I'll edit this review in the future talking about the game, don't worry ;)

    My final rate is: 10
  2. linkinitup1105
    Aug 8, 2012
    10
    it has the raw power of AC/DC's old albums but contains more well versed lyrics by the young brothers. an explosively satisfying album. also has more Angus young guitar work in it as well
  3. Ikarus14
    May 10, 2011
    5
    Some decent tracks here but fifteen tracks that were simply rewritten over the same one is hardly worth twenty euro. A little more diiversity could have made this a winner.
  4. DeVr33z
    Oct 22, 2010
    5
    Sound exactly the same, only this time it's NOT good. Rock n' Roll Train is decent but there really isn't much here you haven't heard a million times before.
  5. Rob274
    Aug 18, 2010
    9
    Best album in years for AC/DC!!! Love all of them!! Only thing is: Some of them are kinda boring, but MOST of them are really awesome! Great rock music!! AC/DC rocks on!!
  6. Giannis
    Oct 17, 2009
    6
    Stiff upper lip was a great rock n roll album. Then sony came and AC/DC forced to do something more commercial. Too bad. Brian Johnson is in top form but the inspiration not. There are some good songs (black ice, rocknroll dream,war machine,wheels) of course but some very mediocre too (stormy may day,money made,she likes rnr, anything goes, spoiling for a fight). AC/DC is the greatest Stiff upper lip was a great rock n roll album. Then sony came and AC/DC forced to do something more commercial. Too bad. Brian Johnson is in top form but the inspiration not. There are some good songs (black ice, rocknroll dream,war machine,wheels) of course but some very mediocre too (stormy may day,money made,she likes rnr, anything goes, spoiling for a fight). AC/DC is the greatest rock n roll band so we would like something better. Nevertheless the tour was GREAT!!!!… Expand
  7. HigorW
    Oct 13, 2009
    6
    AC/DC's Black Ice sonds like Flick of the Switch album... pretty good... forgettable.
  8. CriB
    Jan 1, 2009
    10
    One of the greatest releases in all 2008, and by far the best r'r album of the year!
  9. MarkK
    Dec 28, 2008
    8
    Same as before, nothing new, nothinig exciting, nothing fresh (one of the tunes sounds similar to highway to hell), but still a very enjoyable album. It get's an extra point because of that.
  10. JohnDoe
    Dec 15, 2008
    7
    OK, we all know that AC/DC haven't had a great album since Back in Black, its kinda difficult to top an album that is the second mist bought album of all time, after thriller. But this one shows some of the greatness that they had in Back in Black, with songs like 'Rock 'n' Roll Train' and especially 'Spoilin' for a Fight'. The latter gives us a OK, we all know that AC/DC haven't had a great album since Back in Black, its kinda difficult to top an album that is the second mist bought album of all time, after thriller. But this one shows some of the greatness that they had in Back in Black, with songs like 'Rock 'n' Roll Train' and especially 'Spoilin' for a Fight'. The latter gives us a classic rock riff from the Aussie Rockers, the thing that has made them possibly the best classic rock band of all time.… Collapse
  11. JS
    Dec 11, 2008
    9
    It's not Back in Black, or even Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, but there is no denying the awesomeness of this band, and there isn't a single half-a**ed song on the album.
  12. MS
    Nov 24, 2008
    8
    Very fun rock cd. Would have been a 9 if they cut it back to 10 songs. Worth buying.
  13. JC
    Nov 23, 2008
    5
    Weakness...this band has had about 10 good songs in the last 20 years, their inspiration died with Bon.
  14. DougL.
    Nov 22, 2008
    10
    Despite the 8 year wait on putting out a new album, they stuck to their guns and kicked the billboards right in the ass. This is an epic AC/DC album with spine shivering riffs and a knack to give a group a good time. I love it, the people love it, the critics love it, it is definitely there best since Back In Black.
  15. GinoP.
    Nov 10, 2008
    7
    For a band that have 35 years in the road its a fair production, but I expected more, for me ACDC at his best was Back in Black, that is a really hard one to top.
  16. TimXXX
    Nov 7, 2008
    5
    Not a bad album, but like typical ACDC albums, there are really only 2-3 solid songs and the rest of the songs all sound the same. Look back at the last 3-4 ACDC albums, they all have 1 killer song and 10-11 very average songs at best.
  17. JCN
    Oct 29, 2008
    5
    When I first heard the new AC/DC album was coming out, I so badly wanted it to be amazing and good and - not original, since AC/DC aren't but I wanted something that didn't have "Rock 'N' Roll" in three of its track names. It reflects where AC/DC have come to. The songs are mediocre at best - I had to train myself to tolerate Rock 'N' Roll Train in order to When I first heard the new AC/DC album was coming out, I so badly wanted it to be amazing and good and - not original, since AC/DC aren't but I wanted something that didn't have "Rock 'N' Roll" in three of its track names. It reflects where AC/DC have come to. The songs are mediocre at best - I had to train myself to tolerate Rock 'N' Roll Train in order to like it, and the same with the others. There is nothing fresh, and it sounds like old songs recycled with a slightly different riff or solo. To me, The Razors Edge was better. I'm glad it's selling so well though.… Expand
  18. JordanL
    Oct 29, 2008
    10
    Vintage AC/DC! The first album in about a decade and a great refresher of the sound of true Rock & Roll. AC/DC is a band that will never fade away, and will remain a powerhouse in Rock & Roll industry for however many years its music surfaces.
  19. GarthW.
    Oct 27, 2008
    8
    It's AC/DC. What did you expect? The day AC/DC does a ballad is the day the band is dead. Some complain that it sounds the same as everything else they've ever done. While everyone else tries to rock harder, AC/DC just rocks. Therein lies their genius.
  20. NileshP.
    Oct 24, 2008
    10
    Metallica Rules... !!!
  21. GordyB.
    Oct 22, 2008
    8
    As a long time AC/DC fan, I am more than impressed with there new material. After two sub-par albums in Ballbreaker and Stiff Upper Lip, I had my doubts if they had anything left in the tank. Black Ice has restored my faith in AC/DC as I have found myself really into about 80% of the 15 tracks. Not since Razor's Edge have I been this amped listening to new songs. My favorites As a long time AC/DC fan, I am more than impressed with there new material. After two sub-par albums in Ballbreaker and Stiff Upper Lip, I had my doubts if they had anything left in the tank. Black Ice has restored my faith in AC/DC as I have found myself really into about 80% of the 15 tracks. Not since Razor's Edge have I been this amped listening to new songs. My favorites include: Rock 'n' Roll Train, Big Jack, War Machine, & Rock 'n' Roll Dreams. The big complaint about AC/DC is they always sound the same and for the most part there is no big new sound here. But there are some small twists and slightly new angles on there songwriting to make it feel fresh enough but not taking away from there trade mark hard rock sound. The great aspect for me is that it makes me remember the good old days of rock 'n' roll, and that's all I ever wanted from AC/DC. Crank it up and rock on!!… Expand
  22. CristianP.
    Oct 22, 2008
    9
    Best Ac-Dc album since Back in Black-. El mejor album de Ac-Dc desde Back in Black.
  23. SA.
    Oct 22, 2008
    9
    Best AC/DC since Black in Black, 10 listens in now and it's only getting better. Only not a 10 as it could have lost a few tracks to make it punchier.
  24. chris
    Oct 22, 2008
    8
    Very good release. i know some will not agree but i think this is the best release in many years!!! Better than the last three or four albums IMO... Can't wait for the boys to come to NZ!!!
  25. ScottE.
    Oct 21, 2008
    10
    I'm really impressed how true to form this album is. Absolutely amazing!
  26. BrandonS.
    Oct 21, 2008
    7
    It's AC/DC! Think you know what this album sounds like? Well, you're, it sounds exactly like that. Thank God. (The only unfortunate thing is that they're selling the album only through Evil--Mart and Sam's Club. I got it through AC/DC's website, so at least I didn't give Evil-Mart my money.)
  27. RogerS.
    Oct 21, 2008
    1
    A poor CD and will quickly fade away.....What was the name of this band? Boring.
  28. R
    Oct 21, 2008
    9
    I agree that Black Ice sounds like Back in Black...but isn't that the point? Show me where in the dictionary of Rock it says a band has to change? It doesn't, so rock on AC/DC! Keep puttin' out that good good stuff.
  29. WesM.
    Oct 21, 2008
    4
    Typical AC/DC release: shaking up the formula, improving upon and reinventing various genres, really putting alot of effort into their songwriting. Wait, what?

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Most Discussed Album of 2008
32
#32 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    The appeal of AC/DC lies with their more-than-30-year-old commitment to the same no-frills metal groove. But that groove now seems in danger of becoming a rut.
    Read full review
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    AC/DC have stuck to their guns with electrifying results.
    Read full review
  3. Spin
    70
    Scattered predictability aside, AC/DC still sound strong and hungry 35 years on, as if they could pulverize riffs in perpetuity.
    Read full review
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