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Black Ice
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Black Ice Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

  • Summary: The hard-rock band's first album in eight years was produced by Brendan O'Brien.

Top Track

Spoilin' For A Fight
I see trouble coming man Well I'm coming to a ball Sliding down a road Gonna lick 'em on down We're gonna run right out Well, I'm a fighting... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    Black Ice will trigger nostalgia in the devout, but inasmuch as the album reaffirms AC/DC's power, there's nothing backward-looking about it.
  2. PopMatters
    80
    In a postmodern age of irony and cynicism, of self-absorbed navel-gazing, when too many bands want to make vapid political statements and shallow social commentary, AC/DC reliably deliver the goods: solid blues-based rock ‘n’ roll that gets the blood pumping and the air guitar strumming.
  3. cokemachineglow
    77
    Like all AC/DC records, this is a troubling one to love.
  4. 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.
  5. Blender
    60
    Half of their new truckload feels typically phoned-in. But sometimes they surprise you, nailing the signature sounds of their '70s boogie-metal brethren. [Nov 2008, p.72]
  6. Hot Press
    60
    After an eight-year hiatus, these hard rock legends return to the music scene with a banging album that has just a little less bite than others past.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    20
    As a whole, Black Ice is a mess of tired conventions shoved noisily at the listener, as though just getting them all on record was good enough.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. ScottE.
    Oct 21, 2008
    10
    I'm really impressed how true to form this album is. Absolutely amazing!
  2. 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 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.… Expand
  4. 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. alsoit 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… Expand
  5. 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 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.… Expand
  6. 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 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.… Expand
  7. 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 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
  8. RogerS.
    Oct 21, 2008
    1
    A poor CD and will quickly fade away.....What was the name of this band? Boring.

See all 29 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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