Black Ice
by AC/DC
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Oct 20, 2008
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. 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. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    AC/DC have stuck to their guns with electrifying results.
  3. Boston Globe
    80
    In other words, Black Ice is a quintessential, if not exactly essential, AC/DC album.
  5. 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.
  6. Village Voice
    80
    Quality stuff. Sorta like 'Send for the Man,' but better.
  7. Mojo
    80
    "Back In Back" it ain't, but it's certainly a real return to form. [Nov 2008, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. cokemachineglow
    77
    Like all AC/DC records, this is a troubling one to love.
  9. Spin
    70
    Scattered predictability aside, AC/DC still sound strong and hungry 35 years on, as if they could pulverize riffs in perpetuity.
  10. Hartford Courant
    70
    It's a strong album that rarely skimps on gut-churning guitars.
  11. Rolling Stone
    70
    Johnson yelps at one point--making it clear that his band still finds resonance in words that were clichéd by 1956. And for that, you've got to salute them.
  12. Dot Music
    70
    Black Ice is far better than anyone could have hoped, played by people who by their age should know better.
  13. Paste Magazine
    70
    Black Ice is, in many respects, just a consolidation of all AC/DC’s strengths and/or perceived weaknesses in one easily-digested package. Yes, there is filler among the killers, but in large measure what you have here is grade-A, late-vintage rawk with no frills and most of the thrills intact.
  14. 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.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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… Full Review »
  2. 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'tHello, 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    … Full Review »
  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 diiversitySome 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.… Full Review »
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