Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd spotted with longtime AC/DC engineer and mixer Mike Fraser

(Image credit: Getty)

Last week, estranged AC/DC members Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd were photographed together outside Vancouver’s Warehouse Studios.

AC/DC have recorded their last three albums at the location, and, the following day, guitarists Stevie and Angus Young were spotted at the same location, sparking rumours that AC/DC could be recording a new album.

Now, Crystal Lambert and her friend Glenn Slavens – who grabbed the previous two shots – have shared a photograph of vocalist Johnston and drummer Rudd hanging out with longtime AC/DC engineer and mixer Mike Fraser on the Ear Of Newt website.

Fraser’s been behind the desk on the band’s last five studio albums: 1990’s The Razor’s Edge, 1995’s Ballbreaker, 2000’s Stiff Upper Lip, 2008’s Black Ice and 2014’s Rock Or Bust.

Fraser has worked with dozens of other artists throughout his career, including Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Rush, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Poison, The Cult and Thunder.

Johnson was forced to stop touring with AC/DC in 2016 under the threat of permanent deafness, with the band famously bringing in Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose to complete their Rock Or Bust world tour.

However, Johnson has since worked with audio experts Asius on a solution to his hearing problems, with Beano taking to the stage following his departure from AC/DC with Muse, Paul Rodgers and, most recently, with Mick Fleetwood.

Rudd, meanwhile, was kicked out of the Aussie outfit the same year after being found guilty of drugs possession and making death threats and subsequently served an eight-month home arrest sentence. Drummer Chris Slade was recruited for AC/DC’s live dates.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.