Australians load up on AC/DC albums

MELBOURNE (Billboard) - AC/DC fans in Australia are stocking up on the hard rock band's back catalog in preparation for the October 18 release of its first album in eight years.

Five of the Australian act's albums returned to the local chart this week. They were 1975's "TNT" at No. 47, 1979's "Highway To Hell" at No. 61, 1976's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" at No. 62, 1986's "Who Made Who" at No. 74 and 1990's "Razor's Edge" at No. 92.

The 15-track "Black Ice" hits Australian shelves three days ahead of its exclusive Wal-Mart release in the United States.

AC/DC will also feature heavily at the second Adelaide International Guitar Festival, which kicks off November 29. It will start with an attempt to set a new world record with 1,800 guitarists simultaneously playing the riff to the act's signature tune "It's a Long Way to the Top."

Reuters/Billboard