Rock or Bust

by 
AlbumNov 28 / 201411 songs, 34m 58s
Hard Rock
Popular

Filled with shrieking guitars and wicked wordplay, *Rock or Bust* has all the hallmarks of vintage AC/DC. The band’s 15th studio album is the first release with rhythm guitarist Stevie Young (the nephew of founding members Malcolm and Angus Young), who rises to the occasion on the furious, fast-moving collection. Songs like “Baptism by Fire,” “Rock the House,” and the standout single “Play Ball” are an assault of amps-on-11 thrash with instantly catchy choruses.

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Before playing AC/DC’s latest offering, certain inevitable questions linger at the forefront of the mind: Will the band’s sound and direction suffer without the input and guitar work of its former creative force Malcolm Young? Is Phil Rudd’s nascent mania discernable through his kick drum? And, after 40 years…

AC/DC‘s Brian Johnson is currently taking a break from the band’s extensive tour due to serious hearing loss.

8.5 / 10

The arrival of a new album by Australian stalwarts AC/DC comes with an unfortunate amount of baggage.

Check out our album review of Artist's Rock or Bust on Rolling Stone.com.

Discover Rock or Bust by AC/DC released in 2014. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

6 / 10

7 / 10

Album review: AC/DC - Rock Or Bust. Whither goest though, AC/DC, into the rock ‘n’ roll night?

Despite trouble in the ranks, rock’s raucous veterans are on blistering form, writes <strong>Kitty Empire</strong>

7 / 10

Hello again from the highway to you-know-where. Rock legends AC/DC come calling with their lean fifteenth album, "Rock Or Bust" and the title just might represent the factual mindset of the band as they trooped through well-publicized adversities to deliver it. Angus Young (who will likely be buried...

7 / 10

Sixteen albums into their career – and despite some serious setbacks in recent times – AC/DC still sound remarkably close to full power, writes <strong>Dave Simpson</strong>

40 %

[xrr rating=2.0/5]AC/DC certainly know how to bounce back from tragedy.

Album Reviews: AC/DC - Rock Or Bust

3.0 / 5

AC/DC - Rock or Bust review: This is AC/DC. This is their 15th studio album.

The heavy metal band end their tumultuous year with a solid, Glastonbury-ready record, says Helen Brown

Ancient Australian combo defy the odds and turn it up to 11. CD review by Adam Sweeting

8 / 10