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Flick of the Switch

by AC/DC

Released: August 19, 1983

Hard rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Cult Following.

The Album

Despite being associated with the band's classic lineup, the album deviated from the blueprint of its highly successful predecessor, "For Those About to Rock We Salute You." Instead, "Flick of the Switch" was a stripped-down, straight-ahead effort that marked a return to the raw, lean sound of earlier records. "Flick of the Switch" is the ninth studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released in August 1983. The album title referred to the power of activation, a 'flick of a switch', as the songs were intended to deliver a jolt of hard-hitting rock.

Inside the Recording

Produced by the band themselves, it was the third AC/DC album to feature lead vocalist Brian Johnson, and their last to include drummer Phil Rudd before his eleven-year absence from the band.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Despite its iconic status among fans, "Flick of…

Despite its iconic status among fans, "Flick of the Switch" stands as a defiant testament to AC/DC's uncompromising commitment to the pure, high-voltage, hard rock that has always been the core of their music.

The album's cover featured a pencil-drawn animation sequence…

The album's cover featured a pencil-drawn animation sequence of a man being electrocuted while grabbing a live wire.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

AC/DC - Flick of the Switch

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Then

Reception

While its minimalist production and the band's reinforced raw energy received mixed reviews at the time of release and it did not match the numbers of their previous records, over the years, it gained appreciation from fans.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Flick of the Switch" is the ninth studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released in August 1983. Despite being associated with the band's classic lineup, the album deviated from the blueprint of its highly successful predecessor, "For Those About to Rock We Salute You." Instead, "Flick of the Switch" was a stripped-down, straight-ahead effort that marked a return to the raw, lean sound of earlier records.

Produced by the band themselves, it was the third AC/DC album to feature lead vocalist Brian Johnson, and their last to include drummer Phil Rudd before his eleven-year absence from the band. While its minimalist production and the band's reinforced raw energy received mixed reviews at the time of release and it did not match the numbers of their previous records, over the years, it gained appreciation from fans.

The album title referred to the power of activation, a 'flick of a switch', as the songs were intended to deliver a jolt of hard-hitting rock. The album's cover featured a pencil-drawn animation sequence of a man being electrocuted while grabbing a live wire. Despite its iconic status among fans, "Flick of the Switch" stands as a defiant testament to AC/DC's uncompromising commitment to the pure, high-voltage, hard rock that has always been the core of their music.