AC/DC ‘accidentally leak photos’ from new video shoot
Rumours of AC/DC’s fervently awaited return are gaining momentum after photos of the current line-up of the band were reportedly published on their website.
Fan site AC/DC Brasil shared a series of images on Saturday morning (19th September) that appeared to show current AC/DC band members Angus Young and Stevie Young alongside the returning Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams.
It’s claimed that the four photos are from an AC/DC video shoot for a brand-new single that will serve as a taster for their seventeenth studio album.
Phil Rudd was replaced by Chris Slade for the Rock or Bust World Tour due to legal issues he was facing in New Zealand.
Brian Johnson retired from touring during the Rock or Bust Tour and was replaced by Axl Rose after doctors warned him to quit touring or risk going deaf. Cliff Williams retired at the end of the tour.
Sharing the images, AC/DC Brasil wrote: “CONFIRMED! The images were leaked on the official AC/DC website. So, get ready… in the coming months we will have rock n ‘roll!”
Appearing to add some authenticity to their claims, AC/DC Brasil went on to post screenshots seemingly lifted from AC/DC’s official website.
US radio show host Mitch Lafon has also shared the four images to his personal Twitter account, writing: “These were posted earlier today… With strong RUMOURS that an album will follow this November. Follow AC/DC’s socials for an official announcement. Until then, enjoy the possibility.”
As Lafon mentioned, there is still no official word from AC/DC about their return.
Back in January of this year, an Australian broadcaster called Eddie McGuire claimed that AC/DC would release their much-rumoured new album in February or March of this year before embarking on a tour in late 2020.
Obviously, this didn’t come into fruition, however it could have been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Speculation about new AC/DC activity was fuelled when photos emerged online in August 2018 of Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd and engineer Mike Fraser outside Vancouver’s Warehouse Studios where Stevie and Angus Young were also spotted that week.
The rumours gained traction weeks later when JAM Magazine quoted sources who claimed that the new AC/DC album will be dedicated to the memory of Malcolm Young and feature his distinctive rhythm guitar playing lifted from recording sessions several years before ‘Black Ice.’
In January 2019, grindcore trio Terrorizer said on Facebook that Brian Johnson had told them he was back in AC/DC.
They wrote: “We ran into Brian Johnson from AC/DC at the airport today after the flight home and we asked him about the rumours of him being on the new AC/DC album and he said ‘yes’ and that he is ‘sick of denying it.’ So that was a cool surprise ending to the tour.”
Then in April 2019, the band’s long-term engineer Mike Fraser confirmed that AC/DC have been in the studio “doing something”and weeks later US radio DJ Eddie Trunk quoted “reliable sources” who told him AC/DC will “absolutely” tour with Brian Johnson.
Chris Slade, however, urged a note of caution over fan speculation, saying in November 2018 that he’s learnt over the years “not to believe the rumours”.
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