Ranking The Albums: AC/DC

Written: 16th November 2025

Although AC/DC have been part of my musical world for decades, my relationship with their albums has deepened over time. Few bands have managed to combine primal simplicity with such enduring power. Their music thrives on elemental riffs, relentless rhythm and a sense of danger that feels both playful and defiant. AC/DC never chased trends or indulged in unnecessary complexity; instead, they perfected the art of doing one thing brilliantly - rock that hits hard and lasts. From Bon Scott’s sardonic swagger to Brian Johnson’s granite roar, their identity has remained unmistakable.

For this ranking I have used the international versions of High Voltage and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. I will also add that, while I know many will not agree with some of my placements, I do not believe AC/DC have ever made a truly bad album so my love for each one is a matter of small degrees in some instances. Rankings are always subjective, so feel free to share your own thoughts at the end.

16. Rock or Bust (2014)

There is no AC/DC album I actively dislike but something has to be at the bottom of the list. Rock or Bust carries a weight no band should have to shoulder. For the second time, the band found themselves having to replace a key member following their sad passing. Malcolm’s absence is felt and although Stevie Young plays with real commitment, the shift cannot be disguised. The songs are punchy and Brendan O’Brien’s production keeps them moving and there is a celebratory defiance to some of the tracks, particularly the opening trio. It feels like AC/DC holding themselves together during a difficult moment doing what they know rather than pushing into anything new. The band’s resilience is to be admired and this is an album that earns them respect as they continued in difficult circumstances.

Three favourite tracks: Rock or Bust, Dogs of War, Baptism By Fire

15. Black Ice (2008)

Eight years of waiting felt like a long time and although Black Ice has some excellent moments, the sprawl of fifteen tracks leads to a dilution of its punch. I remember at the time how good it was to have them back and the subsequent tour was extremely enjoyable. War Machine and Stormy May Day show some of the menace of the which the band are capable but there is little in the way of the rawness that can make them so thrilling. Black Ice feels like a band proving endurance is a quality to be admired, a solid return but one that trades danger for discipline.

Three favourite tracks: Rock n Roll Train, War Machine, Money Made

14. Stiff Upper Lip (2000)

Stiff Upper Lip settles into a steady cruise that never quite catches fire. Brian sounds good and the Youngs deliver dependable riffs but the spark that once made even more routine ideas feel dangerous is missing. George Young’s clean production keeps everything tidy which ironically mutes the ferocity these songs need. Nothing embarrasses the catalogue yet little pushes forward either. Not that the band have every sought to reinvent themselves but even by their standards, this is a safe album that lacks a little inspiration at times.

Three favourite tracks: Stiff Upper Lip, Safe In New York City, Satellite Blues

13. Blow Up Your Video (1988)

Blow Up Your Video was my introduction to AC/DC at sixteen and for that reason it holds a special place. Heatseeker bursts out with swagger and the album carries a looseness that feels playful and defiant. There is a sense of fun running through these tracks, with cheek and grit rather than polish. I still enjoy the record as a whole but cannot place it higher as some songs lack the punch and staying power of those featured on the albums above it. The highlights sparkle but the dips are noticeable making this a fascinating chapter rather than a defining one.

Three favourite tracks: Heatseeker, Meanstreak, Two’s Up

12. Fly on the Wall (1985)

Often dismissed, Fly on the Wall deserves more credit than it gets. Yes, the production is dry and occasionally hollow but beneath that stark surface are some wonderful songs. Shake Your Foundations and Sink the Pink crackle with tension and wit reminding you of the band’s personality, even in leaner times. Simon Wright brings exactitude though the swing of Phil Rudd is missed giving the grooves a harder edge. It seems to be an album fans either love or hate yet listening to the actual material - production aside - reveals much of quality here. The band’s refusal to chase trends feels admirable. It rewards patience, revealing character that makes it far more compelling than its reputation suggests.

Three favourite tracks: Shake Your Foundations, First Blood, Send For The Man

11. Power Up (2020)

AC/DC were at a point in their career where they did not need to make another album but six years after Rock Or Bust, Power Up serves as a reaffirmation. The riffs pulse with familiar menace and the production balances tenacity and clarity well. There is no novelty here, only conviction - a band refusing to dilute its essence. The performances bristle with confidence, proving instinct survives age. This is continuity forged with pride; a salute to tradition that feels vigorous without apology. A late-period triumph, alive and unpretentious, reminding the world that AC/DC still strikes hard. The fact that an album as good as this only comes in at number eleven shows the high quality of what is to follow.

Three favourite tracks: Through The Mist of Time, Witch’s Spell, Demon Fire

10. The Razors Edge (1990)

The Razors Edge sliced through the haze of the late eighties. Chris Slade’s arrival injected bite, his harder edge driving a leaner, more aggressive sound. Thunderstruck detonates the record, its cascading riff setting a forceful tone. Bruce Fairburn’s production is sharp, the pacing relentless and the choruses stick without pandering. It is not flawless, but its cohesion restores some of the authority that Blow Up Your Video lacked. Accessible yet uncompromising, this album reclaims ground with confidence, proving AC/DC could adapt without surrendering identity. Focused and immediate, it stands as a defining moment in their catalogue - a clean, hard-edged resurgence.

Three favourite tracks: Thunderstruck, Are You Ready, The Razor’s Edge 

9. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) (1981)

Following Back in Black was a burden few bands could bear and For Those About to Rock shoulders it with grandeur. The title track erupts in cannon fire, a spectacle of scale and bravado, yet elsewhere the pacing slackens. The menace remains but taut aggression gives way to weighty ambition. Phil Rudd’s pulse anchors the drama, steady amid the album’s slower turns. It is uneven in places but it remains a fascinating document of a band grappling with expectation and scale. Behind the scenes, tension was mounting as the group grew weary of Mutt Lange’s meticulous approach and endless refinements, a creative strain that ultimately ended their partnership after the album was complete.

Three favourite tracks: For Those About To Rock (We Salute You), Evil Walks, C.O.D.

8. Ballbreaker (1995)

Rick Rubin strips AC/DC to bare essentials on Ballbreaker, letting riffs breathe with raw force. Phil Rudd returns, restoring swing and natural groove and the band sounds reinvigorated. The production is stark, the performances bristle with commitment and humour flickers through the belligerence. Its cohesion and weight make it formidable; a steel-hammer record in an era of gloss. Every track feels purposeful and bristles with instinct and integrity. While it could be argued that Ballbreaker lacks the sheer number of anthems found on earlier records, its consistency across the running time makes it compelling. There are more echoes of their seventies roots here than at any point in years, giving the album a sense of lineage that feels both authentic and invigorating.

Three favourite tracks: The Furor, Hail Caesar, Ballbreaker

7. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap brims with streetwise menace and sly humour, a cocktail of venom and audacity. Bon Scott dominates, his irreverent charm dripping through every lyric, turning mischief into art. The riffs swagger, grooves grind and the production remains raw, amplifying the sense of danger. Less polished than later triumphs, it thrives on attitude and instinct, a band carving its niche in bold strokes. Each track hums with personality, reckless yet deliberate, defining the spirit of early AC/DC.

Three favourite tracks: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Ride On, Squealer

6. High Voltage (1976)

High Voltage distils AC/DC’s early essence into a manifesto of raw power. Bon Scott’s vocals crackle with charisma, setting the tone for decades to come. The production is minimal but the vitality is undeniable. Every riff surges and every beat thrums with purpose. It is unpolished yet vital, a record that hums with danger and mischief, echoing the chaos of their early gigs. This album is not refinement but declaration: rock should be loud, unruly and unapologetic. A foundation stone that still resonates, High Voltage captures the band’s beginnings with a feral spark that continues to burn bright.

Three favourite tracks: It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll), Live Wire, High Voltage

5. Flick of the Switch (1983)

For me, Flick of the Switch stands as AC/DC’s most underrated album, a stripped back statement, fighting against the excess of the eighties. Produced by the band, it discards polish for brute force, riffs snapping with hostility. Phil Rudd departed after the album and Simon Wright stepped in for the tour. There is no pretence here, only instinct - a return to fundamentals delivered with conviction. Hooks may not strike instantly, yet the tension drives momentum, making the record compelling in its stark honesty. A cult favourite for those who prize raw edge over sheen, it bites hard and earns respect through sheer resolve.

Three favourite tracks: Rising Power, Flick Of The Switch, Guns For Hire

4. Let There Be Rock (1977)

Let There Be Rock is pure combustion, a relentless surge of chaos and audacity. Bon Scott spits danger and wit, guitars roar with unfiltered ferocity and the rhythm section pounds like a runaway engine. The production is raw; there is no restraint, only escalation that pushes harder, faster, louder. It is exhausting in the best way, a record that celebrates excess without apology. A defining moment in AC/DC’s evolution, forged in sweat and distortion. Decades later, it is still a masterpiece of sheer force.

Three favourite tracks: Overdose, Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be, Whole Lotta Rosie

3. Back in Black (1980)

Following the tragic death of Bon Scott, Brian Johnson stepped in, his voice slicing through riffs that feel carved from steel. Mutt Lange’s production achieves precision without sacrificing menace, giving the album clarity and weight. Every track is taut and muscular, balancing melody with aggression. It is a monument to resilience, a record that asserts identity with unflinching confidence. Timeless and towering, Back in Black remains a benchmark for hard rock - a statement forged in adversity, executed with perfection and destined to echo through generations.

Three favourite tracks: Hells Bells, Shoot To Thrill, Back In Black

2. Highway to Hell (1979)

Highway to Hell burns with defiance, swagger and urgency. Mutt Lange sharpens the sound without sanding off muscle, letting riffs snarl and choruses soar. Bon Scott is electric, his voice dripping menace and charm, commanding every groove. The album balances control with recklessness, creating tension that still feels dangerous. It is lean, immediate and alive, a record that captures AC/DC at their zenith. Menace and melody fuse seamlessly, forging an anthem of freedom and audacity. Decades later, its impact remains untouchable - a stone cold classic that still feels unstoppable.

Three favourite tracks: Highway To Hell, Walk All Over You, Touch Too Much

1. Powerage (1978)

When authoring a ranking article, there has to be some balance between favourite and best. This is where those two concepts collide. Based on quality alone, I could easily have placed Highway to Hell in the top spot but Powerage is AC/DC at their most instinctive, a record pulsing with sinew and soul. Bon Scott’s sardonic edge cuts through riffs that swing and snarl with effortless menace. There is no gloss, only raw electricity channelled through precision and passion. Every track feels essential, contributing to a taut, cohesive whole. This is their purest statement; a record that rewards every return listen. Powerage remains the beating heart of their catalogue - a masterpiece of intent and execution, alive with danger and utterly timeless.

Three favourite tracks: Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation, Riff Raff, Gone Shootin'

Listen to my AC/DC Through The Years playlist below - my three favourite songs from each album in chronological order.