Rumors of a new AC/DC record have been floating around for about a year now. From what we've heard, bassist Cliff Williams is involved with the band again for the first time since 2016, vocalist Brian Johnson is back after the same amount of time, and the new album is supposedly due out this month. The new record also might feature drummer Phil Rudd, though current drummer Chris Slade tells Linea Rock he hasn't been removed from the band.
"I've had no indication that I'm not. But AC/DC, as you probably know, have always taken five years between anything. And then suddenly you get [a phone call], '[Come to] Florida next week.' 'L.A., 10 days' time.' They've always been that way."
Slade also discussed how he got back into the band for touring in 2015.
"I was working with Timeline in Switzerland, and my phone is an American phone. And I saw this New York number. Because what had happened… People kept saying to me, 'Have you had the call yet? Have you had the call? Have you had the call?' And I [said], 'No, I haven't had the call, and they're not going to call me. Okay?' After the first few months went by, I thought, 'Oh, I'm not gonna get a call now. Angus probably has a nephew who plays drums or something.' So I was on the road with Timeline and I got this call, and I was, like, 'Wow!' It was the manager, and he said, 'Chris, the guys would like you to come back in.' And even at the end of it — and this went on for, like, probably 10, 15 minutes — at the end of it, I said, 'Does this come from the guys, from the band?' And he went, 'Of course it's coming from the band.' And I [went], 'Okay then.' I'd already said 'yes,' by the way."
Slade drummed for AC/DC between 1989 and 1994, and then again from 2015 to present day. Phil Rudd was removed from the band in 2015 after a string of legal troubles. AC/DC has not confirmed or denied any personnel changes since they last toured with Guns N' Roses vocalist Axl Rose.
All we know is that AC/DC is supposedly back to their "classic lineup" and the new album will feature contributions from deceased rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young.
[via Blabbermouth]
