Angus Young is still wearing the schoolboy uniform. Let that sink in for a second. The man is in his late sixties, duck-walking across stages with a Gibson SG, and somehow, it doesn't feel pathetic. It feels essential. When AC/DC Power Up dropped late in 2020, the world was a complete mess. We were stuck inside, live music was a memory, and the band itself had basically been through a meat grinder. Brian Johnson’s ears had given out, Phil Rudd had legal nightmares, and Cliff Williams had originally called it quits. Oh, and they lost Malcolm Young—the rhythmic heartbeat of the entire operation.
Most bands would have folded. Honestly, most bands should have folded. But Power Up (often stylized with that iconic high-voltage bolt as PWR/UP) isn't just another album in a massive catalog. It is a massive, loud, middle finger to the idea of slowing down. It’s a tribute. It’s a seance.
The Malcolm Young Factor
You can't talk about AC/DC Power Up without talking about Malcolm. Even though he passed away in 2017, his DNA is all over these twelve tracks. Angus has been very vocal about the fact that every single song on this record is credited to A. Young and M. Young. They didn't just write new stuff; they went into the "vault."
Think of it as a treasure chest of riffs.
The brothers spent decades writing together, often discarding ideas that weren't quite right for Black Ice or Rock or Bust. Angus spent weeks sifting through these demos. He found the "Mal" magic. While Stevie Young handles the rhythm guitar on the actual recordings—and does a hell of a job keeping that metronomic, percussive swing—the ghost of Malcolm is the one directing the ship. It’s why the record feels more "classic" than their previous few outings. It’s got that Highway to Hell grit mixed with the polished punch of Back in Black.
Brendan O’Brien, the producer who worked with them on Black Ice, returned for this session. He knows how to make AC/DC sound like the biggest thing on the planet. He doesn't overthink it. He just captures the roar.
Why the Tech Behind the Return Actually Matters
Brian Johnson coming back was the headline. If you remember the Rock or Bust tour, Axl Rose had to step in because Brian was literally going deaf. Doctors told him if he kept going, he’d never hear a conversation again.
He didn't just get better; he used experimental technology.
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Basically, he had a specialist, Stephen Ambrose, develop a new type of hearing protection/in-ear monitor that uses a "second eardrum" to allow him to hear the music without the sound pressure destroying his remaining hearing. It’s tech-heavy stuff, but the result is pure rock and roll. On AC/DC Power Up, Brian sounds rejuvenated. His raspy howl isn't as thin as it was on the previous record. He sounds like a man who was given a second chance at his life’s work.
The rhythm section is back to full strength too. Phil Rudd is the only drummer who can make a basic 4/4 beat feel like a swinging sledgehammer. Chris Slade is a monster, don't get me wrong, but Rudd has that "behind the beat" feel that defines the AC/DC swing. When he reunited with Cliff Williams—who came out of retirement specifically because the "old gang" was getting back together—the foundation was set.
The Tracks That Stand Out
"Shot in the Dark" was the lead single, and it’s fine. It’s classic AC/DC. But the real meat of the album is hidden in tracks like "Realize" and "Through the Mists of Time."
"Realize" is a powerhouse opener. It’s got these layered vocal harmonies that almost sound like The Razor's Edge era. It’s big. It’s wide. Then you have "Through the Mists of Time," which is probably the most "emotional" AC/DC has ever gotten without actually writing a ballad (because they don't do ballads). It’s a mid-tempo look back at their history. You can feel them thinking about Bon Scott and Malcolm. It’s got a vibe that’s slightly different from their usual "lock up your daughters" swagger.
Then there’s "Demon Fire."
This song is a total ripper. It’s fast, mean, and sounds like something that should be playing during a high-speed car chase in a 1970s grindhouse flick. Angus’s solo here is frantic. It reminds you that while he’s the face of the band, he’s also one of the most underrated technical blues-rock players ever. He doesn't waste notes. Every bend has a purpose.
The "It All Sounds the Same" Argument
People love to complain that AC/DC has been making the same album for 50 years.
Angus Young’s famous response? "Actually, we’ve made eighteen albums that sound the same."
That’s the point.
Consistency is a superpower. In a music industry that’s constantly chasing TikTok trends and over-produced pop melodies, AC/DC Power Up is a structural anchor. You know exactly what you’re getting. You're getting three chords, a heavy snare, and lyrics about lightning, fire, women, and rock. It’s comfort food. But it’s comfort food cooked by a five-star chef.
The nuances are there if you look for them. The way the guitars are panned—Angus on the left, Stevie on the right—creates this massive wall of sound. They didn't use a bunch of pedals or digital modeling. It’s just guitars plugged into Marshall stacks. Loud. Distorted. Real.
How to Actually Appreciate Power Up Today
If you’re diving back into this record or hearing it for the first time, don't listen to it on your phone speakers. That’s a sin. This is an album built for moving air.
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- Listen for the "Pocket": Focus entirely on Phil Rudd’s hi-hat and snare. Notice how he never overplays. There are no fancy fills. Just pure, unadulterated groove.
- The Stevie/Malcolm Connection: Compare the rhythm work here to Let There Be Rock. Stevie Young isn't trying to be Malcolm; he is an AC/DC disciple who understands that the rhythm guitar is more important than the lead in this band.
- The Production Polish: Notice how clean the gaps are. Between those big staccato chords, there is total silence. That’s the sign of a band that is incredibly tight and a producer who knows when to let the room breathe.
AC/DC Power Up proved that the band wasn't a nostalgia act. It showed that the "Old Guard" of rock still has the highest voltage in the building. It’s a masterclass in staying true to a brand while still delivering enough energy to feel contemporary.
To get the most out of the Power Up experience, start by listening to "Realize" at max volume, then jump straight to "Demon Fire." If your heart rate doesn't go up, you might need to check your pulse. After that, go back and watch the music video for "Shot in the Dark" to see the "experimental" hearing tech Brian Johnson uses in action—it's the reason we still have his voice today. Finally, look up the liner notes; seeing Malcolm Young credited on every track is the best way to understand that this wasn't just a comeback, it was a farewell to a brother.