After eight years, AC/DC is back with a new album. Black Ice still has the same AC/DC sound as the band’s past albums, maybe almost too much of the same sound. It seems that it could almost be a sequel to Back In Black, which was released back in 1980. This sound is especially exhibited in the opening track, “Rock N Roll Train.” It’s a good song, but it would have been nice to hear something a little different…maybe something not quite what I expected.

This album has a total of fifteen tracks. Fifteen! Past albums have had about nine or ten tracks on them. If this album were to have strayed a little from the Back In Black sound, it may have been more tolerable, especially with this many tracks. However, after listening to the first half of the album, it’s hard to force yourself to listen to the rest. Some of the songs aren’t as up-beat and catchy as others, but there are a few good ones in the mix. “Big Jack” and “Spoilin’ For A Fight” are among some of the better ones.

At the same time, if the band would have completely changed their sound, it would have been quite disappointing. AC/DC has been producing albums for more than twenty years, and they’ve stuck to their original heavy rock sound. Even at the age of 53, guitarist Angus Young still dresses as a schoolboy. Also, the only way one can buy their music is by going to a store and picking up the album, just like how it was back in the day. They don’t offer their albums for download on programs like iTunes.

So as they sang in 1981, “For those about to rock, we salute you,” we must salute them since they’re still rocking.