AC/DC ‎– Back In Black

First Pressing matrix info:

Side One:
ST-A-804517-A
MASTERDISK RL ▵24799 MR 16018

Side Two:
ST-A-804518-A
MO MASTERDISK 24799x MR

Just because there is an RL in the deadwax, does not indicate a first pressing. The -A is a true indication. This version has the best sound versus -B or -C

I think this has to be AC/DC's best work. It was certainly their last one before they made a comeback with Razor's Edge. The performance on every song is outstanding and the guitar work is fantastic. AC/DC isn't very political so their message is always relevant: a somewhat hedonistic "let's have a good time".

& Uncredited Bon Scott might have helped write this one.
Landmark album, one of only a handful, which could be described as genre defining. Remembering clearly the excitement of opening the shrink wrap around this vinyl for the first time, and its still sounding as good as it did that day.
But, there’s something not quite right about this album.
Bon Scott is not credited with any of the writing on Back In Black. – IMO & in many others this was a big oversight. Many years later the band attempted to correct this with the inclusion of Back In Black on the Bonfire Box set. One clearly understands the presence of Atlantic Studios ’77 - Highway To Hell Outtakes – & Bon Scott’s Last Oui Oui, but why include Back In Black?
Many propagated the idea Bon wrote lyrics on this album because that writing style resembles what we’d all heard prior to Back In Black. Think the high standard set with Go Down, Gone Shootin’ , Problem Child, Touch Too Much.
The Brian, Angus & Malcolm combo write far differently, Guns For Hire, Thunderstruck, Hard As A Rock & We know from interviews with Cliff and Phil they are not involved too much with the whole writing & construction process.
To make comparisons with future material might help to confuse everyone further. There are tracks on For Those About To Rock, which for me echo a strong Bon quality Let Me Put My Love Into You. Put The Finger On You.
This is all pure conjecture until you examine the facts & witness testimonials. Bon wrote heaps of songs that never got used, probably the most available & acknowledge as a real corker is Carry Me Home. In addition there could exist recordings of AC DC with Bon performing “I’m A Rebel” – Young & Young didn’t like how this exercise worked out & the track found its way to Accept who went on to make it famous.
Malcolm Dome claims in 1980 Bon showed him notes in London’s Koko (then The Music Machine) and recalls reading “she told me to come, but I was already there.” Malcolm Young states Scott was working on drums (Have A Drink On Me/Let Me Put My Love Into You)in the studio last time he saw him, so perhaps Bon should be credited still further rather than not at all.
However you look at this Bon's body was discovered on 19th February 1980, the band took the painful & difficult decision to continue, & they play their first gig with Brian 29th June 1980. So its a fact that within four or so months the band recruited BJ, wrote, recorded, mixed, released (late July) and rehearsed the live performance of Back in Black, an album which without doubt contains some of the greatest rock tracks of all time & certainly serves as a "high point" in the band's carrier.
IMO This album is the cullmination of years of writing, working and handcrafted skill. The writing and compositions here are clever & would never be repeated.

Barry Diament mastered this one (uncredited).