Watch AC/DC discuss Hells Bells and the “riff heard 'round the world”

AC/DC
(Image credit: Bob King/Redferns - Getty)

AC/DC have shared their second video from the archives as they continue to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their landmark Back In Black album.

Last week, the band released a video showing them discussing how they made You Shook Me All Night Long and followed that with a raucous performance from Tokyo of What Do You Do For Money Honey in 1981.

The latest clip from the vault sees Brian Johnson, Angus Young and Malcolm Young talking about legendary album opener Hells Bells and how it all came together at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas in the spring of 1980 with producer Mutt Lange.

AC/DC's Facebook page describe the video as being about "the bell and the riff heard 'round the world," with Johnson talking about the opening lyrics, while Angus and Malcolm play the famous intro. 

Malcolm adds: “It was a really good intro – it was really ominous. Angus had the title Hells Bells – and I was just taking a piss and I just thought: ‘Hang on, why don’t we get a big fucking bell!’"

As part of the Back In Black anniversary celebrations, AC/DC also launched a fanwall, and are asking fans to post photos and videos on Instagram using the hashtag #backinblack40 which will then appear on the website.

In June, drummer Chris Slade reported he would be “ready to go” if he got the call to rejoin AC/DC, although it’s rumoured that Phil Rudd is back in the lineup alongside Brian Johnson.

Former Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider previously told Sirius XM’s Trunk Nation show that AC/DC were in the studio working on an album featuring  “some surprises”.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly 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.