Cranking ‘Back In Black’ on Wax: AC/DC’s Vinyl Pressing Breakdown

If you’re eyeing this classic album on vinyl, here’s the deal: this pressing delivers the core hard rock punch you’d expect from AC/DC, but it doesn’t come without some quirks you’ll want to know about.

The album features the 2003 digital remaster of AC/DC’s seventh studio effort, pressed on a single gold-colored LP. The sound is generally clear and dynamic, with tight drums and sharp guitar work—producer Mutt Lange ensured the driving riffs and gritty vocals of Brian Johnson come through strong. The total runtime is around 41 minutes, keeping things concise and energetic.

Midway through each side, however, you may notice a dip in sound fidelity. The first few tracks on each side maintain crispness and punch, but later songs sometimes lose detail and gain a bit of distortion. This isn’t unusual for vinyl pressings from digital remasters and can be influenced by groove density toward the side’s end. If you expect steady, high-quality sound throughout, this pressing might not meet those standards.

As with many vinyl releases, minor surface noise is present between tracks. This is typical and doesn’t indicate a defect, but keeping your setup clean and your records dust-free will help preserve clarity. Also, there’s an inconsistent track listing between the jacket and the vinyl label itself, which can lead to confusion when cueing songs—worth double-checking before you drop the needle.

The packaging is straightforward: a standard 12.2 × 12.2 inch jacket with Legacy Recordings branding and Made in USA stated. There’s no official mention of extras like an anti-static inner sleeve or booklet, so pairing the record with a quality protective sleeve is a good idea for long-term care. The jacket’s lighter cardboard may show creases if stacked under heavier albums, so handle accordingly.

If you’re after AC/DC’s raw hard-rock character and don’t mind a bit of pressing inconsistency or modest packaging, this edition covers the essentials. However, if uniform sound quality from start to finish and more robust packaging are important to you, it’s worth considering alternative editions or formats.

For best performance, use a well-calibrated turntable and routine cleaning to minimize typical vinyl surface noise. Be ready to accept occasional sonic imperfections as part of this pressing’s character—especially in later tracks.

This pressing delivers peak clarity and punch on the earlier grooves but reveals its limits as the sides progress. It suits listeners who appreciate the band’s uncompromising style and can overlook some pressing flaws, but it won’t satisfy those chasing flawless vinyl fidelity throughout.