Every AC/DC Album Ranked: Celebrating Angus Young’s 71st Birthday

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Published Apr 1, 2026, 8:57 AM EDT

Senior Music Editor at Screen Rant, Sarah's love of sound and story drive the beat. A globetrotting brand whisperer and award-winning journalist, she’s built cross-cultural narratives around the world—but music has always been her true north. She launched DJ Mag North America, successfully introducing the iconic UK brand to the U.S. market. Previously, she carved a space for EDM inside the pages of VIBE, blending electronic and hip-hop culture long before it was trendy.

Today, April 1, 2026, marks the 71st birthday of the man who turned a schoolboy uniform into the ultimate symbol of Rock rebellion: Angus Young. While the rest of the world is busy with April Fools' pranks, there is nothing joke about the legendary riff-machine Angus and his late brother Malcolm built over five grueling, high-voltage decades.

AC/DC is currently mid-stride on their 2026 Power Up Tour, proving nightly that rock ‘n’ roll isn't a young man's game—it’s a stamina game. Whether it’s the bluesy grit of the Bon Scott years or the stadium-shaking, gravel-throated roar of the Brian Johnson era, the band has maintained a level of sonic consistency that is virtually unparalleled in music history.

Ranking the AC/DC catalog is famously difficult. As the old industry jab goes, they didn't just make the same album 17 times—they spent 50 years perfecting a singular, unbreakable formula. To celebrate Angus’s big day, we’re looking back at the 17 studio albums that defined the "Thunder from Down Under," from the forgotten floor-fillers to the records that literally changed the world.

Here is every AC/DC studio album ranked from the bottom to the top.

Rank	Album Title	Year	The Verdict
17	Fly on the Wall	1985	Often cited for its muddy production; even Angus’s solos struggle to cut through the fuzz.
16	Blow Up Your Video	1988	"Heatseeker" is a gem, but much of the tracklist feels like the band was on autopilot.
15	Flick of the Switch	1983	A raw, back-to-basics attempt that lacked the "magic" hooks of its predecessors.
14	Rock or Bust	2014	Solid, but bittersweet as the first album without founding member Malcolm Young.
13	Stiff Upper Lip	2000	A bluesier, mid-tempo record that proved the band still had plenty of "swing" left.
12	Ballbreaker	1995	Marked the return of drummer Phil Rudd and brought back that classic "groove" factor.
11	Black Ice	2008	A massive commercial comeback with huge anthems like "Rock N Roll Train."
10	High Voltage (AU)	1975	The raw, local debut. It’s unpolished, but the hunger in Bon Scott’s voice is undeniable.
9	Power Up	2020	A surprisingly vital late-career triumph that serves as a moving tribute to Malcolm.
8	The Razors Edge	1990	"Thunderstruck" alone earns this a top 10 spot. It’s the ultimate arena-rock revival.
7	Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap	1976	Bon Scott at his most mischievous and lyrical best. Pure rock and roll delinquency.
6	For Those About to Rock	1981	The "cannon" album. Majestic, heavy, and the definitive closing statement for their live shows.
5	Let There Be Rock	1977	High-speed, high-voltage energy. This is where the band truly found their "heavy" identity.
4	Powerage	1978	The "connoisseur's choice." Keith Richards’ favorite, and arguably their most soulful work.
3	T.N.T.	1975	The blueprint. "It's a Long Way to the Top" and the title track are the DNA of the band.
2	Highway to Hell	1979	Bon Scott’s final masterpiece. Polished by Mutt Lange but still dangerously sharp.
1	Back in Black	1980	The greatest phoenix from the ashes story in music. 50 million copies sold don't lie—it is perfection.

AC DC High Voltage 1975 Album Cover Image

Group Members Angus Young, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, Brian Johnson, Stevie Young, Malcolm Young, Colin Burgess, Dave Evans, Rob Bailey, Bon Scott, Mark Evans, Chris Slade, Tony Currenti

Active 1973 - Present

Number of Album(s) 17

First Album High Voltage

Album(s) High Voltage, T.N.T., Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock, Powerage, Highway to Hell, Back in Black, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, Flick of the Switch, Fly on the Wall, Blow Up Your Video, The Razors Edge, Ballbreaker, Stiff Upper Lip, Black Ice, Rock or Bust, Power Up

Genre(s) Rock and Roll, Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal

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