It has long been rumored that AC/DC built its forthcoming PWR/UP album around rhythm guitar tracks recorded years ago by late-co-founder Malcolm Young, but Angus Young says that didn't end up being the case.
Although using Malcolm's guitar tracks was in the plan at some point, Angus tells Spain's RockFM that he ultimately didn't think that was an appropriate way to honor his older brother.
"I know a lot of people have been saying, did Malcolm actually play, is it his instrument on the new album?" Angus explained. "I chose not to do that because I felt Malcolm himself wouldn't like me trying to splice his guitar work."
It remains unclear whether the album features any recordings from Malcolm, but it appears the bulk of the rhythm guitars on PWR/UP are actually a combination of Angus and AC/DC's Stevie Young. Malcolm is credited as a songwriter on each track.
Angus continued: "Malcolm and myself, a lot of what we had done through the years, we'd make notes with the tracks. Some might be a little bit rough here and there, and I polished them up. In other cases, Malcolm might have done a small bit and then I would do the next verse. The bulk of the contribution of Mal is mainly musical."
PWR/UP, AC/DC's first new album since 2014, is due out November 13.
The album is a reunion of sorts for the band, which appeared at an end following its 2016 'Rock or Bust' tour. In addition to Angus and Stevie Young on guitar, the new album features the returns of longtime frontman Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd.
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