Australian rockers AC/DC have confirmed the title of their first album in six years, Rock Or Bust , and while a world tour is set to follow, rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young is officially retiring from the band, due to an undisclosed health issue.
The album, which will be the 15th studio outing in AC/DC’s 40-year career, will also be the band’s first release without Malcolm Young, according to News.Com.Au . Earlier this year, AC/DC announced that Young would be taking a hiatus from the band, citing a health issue which the other members have made a pact not to discuss.
Malcolm’s nephew, Steve Young, filled in for his uncle, playing on the 11 tracks which were cut over 10 days at the Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, as the Inquisitr previously noted. Now, he will be taking his uncle’s place in the world tour that is set to follow the release of Rock Or Bust , which will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of AC/DC.
Malcolm Young. #MalcolmYoung #AC /DC pic.twitter.com/8ZyIybMnDT
— Ralph La Torre (@RLaTorre_213) September 24, 2014
AC/DC also revealed in the press release for their new album that Malcolm would not be rejoining the band in the future, due to his ongoing medical issues. In July, frontman Brian Johnson expressed hopes that Malcolm would be able to return to AC/DC, in an interview with Classic Rock .
“We miss Malcolm, obviously,” Johnson said. “He’s a fighter. He’s in [the] hospital, but he’s a fighter. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again… Stevie, Malcolm’s nephew, was magnificent, but when you’re recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn’t well, it’s difficult…But I’m sure he was rooting for us. He’s such a strong man. He’s a small guy, but he’s very strong. He’s proud, and he’s very private, so we can’t say too much. But fingers crossed he’ll be back.”
Rock Or Bust was recorded this past spring with producer Brendan O’Brien and mixer Mike Fraser. Both men worked on AC/DC’s last release, 2008’s Black Ice . Of the 11 new songs which will comprise the album, one will be previewed on Turner Sports during the network’s Major League Baseball Postseason campaign, according to Rolling Stone . AC/DC’s new song Play Ball will be featured on September 27, several months ahead of the album’s release.
AC/DC Confirm ‘Rock or Bust’ LP, Malcolm Young’s Departure – http://t.co/KAWOGmdEur pic.twitter.com/AxAjlNyUm9 — Gates Digital Media (@GatesDigital) September 24, 2014
While launching a new solo album last month, AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd downplayed rumors that circulated earlier this year, suggesting the band may retire due to Malcolm Young’s ill health.
“Angus Young will never retire,” Rudd asserted. “We were never going to retire. It’ll never happen. Angus will never retire and as long as Angus never retires I won’t f***ing retire either.”
AC/DC will release Rock Or Bust on December 2.
[Image via Rock 101 ]