It's unreal that I get to watch Justin Hawkins from The Darkness casually rip AC/DC riffs on acoustic. This is so awesome.

Powerage is my favorite album. So underrated in their catalog, the blues sound of powerage is so deep. Gone Shootin I usually have to restart and play a couple times.

If You Want Blood album was my introduction to ACDC and one of the Greatest Live albums ever.

"I've got myself a Cadillac, but can't afford the gasoline." Timeless band!

Thank you Justin so much you rocked hard last night. You made my wife and daughter s day last night when you took a picture with her at the hotel elevator with Rufus thank you.

Also Phil Rudd distinguishes AC/DC from any other band. His groove, sound (soft heart beat kick, Eventide ifused snare) . He's more like a disco drummer sonically and as important as Mal and Angus to the AC/DC phenomenon

That moment in the beginning of Gimme a Bullet (about 30 seconds in) when both Young brothers play the chords in unison is one of the best sounds in all music, not just rock. Stunning, especially when loud. The right guitar into the right amp (I recall an interview with Malcolm where he talked about going through head after head during recording pre-production in order to find just the best sounding one) recorded well = timeless beauty.

I have to be honest, I'm a huge AC/DC fan and owned a lot of their albums and got to see them live a couple of times. Powerage was one of those albums that I knew about but never got around to buying. I finally picked it up on iTunes a few months ago. Can you imagine being blown away by a new Bon Scott AC/DC album in 2022? It was freaking amazing!

Powerage does not get enough love. Definitely my favorite AC/DC album.

They were absolutely on fire during the Let There Be Rock and Powerage period. Superb.

Bon Scott...absolute favorite front man, should be considered one of the great lyricists of all times. When he sang it, I felt it... as it came across as so authentic and the guitar tone on Powerage is ACDC's best. Gives me goosebumps. I don't know why Powerage isn't considered on of the top 3 rock albums of all time...not just for ACDC but all of rock

Powerage is my all time favourite Acdc album. Had the version with Cold hearted man on. Good to see appreciation of this masterpiece. 🎸🎶

My favourite AC/DC record as well and you're 100% correct, the solo in Up to My Neck in You is Angus' best solo.

Not only is Powerage AC/DC's best album; it's the best of all albums. Nice job Justin.

Greetings from your next door neighbour...Republic of Ireland. I love the way you mention about panning the recording to the left or the right to hear the different guitar parts. AC/DC are my favourite band...the first album I bought (as a 15 year old) was AC/DC: Let there be rock...followed by "If you want blood.." I'd like to suggest you listen to BR549 (their live albums...it's country music...but to my ears they sound amazing and I was lucky to see them play live in Dublin, Ireland many years ago....Keep up the great work with the videos. You have a great voice!

I will be 53 next month. Powerage is the first album I ever bought. I paid $5.98 and I was 10 years old. It is still my favorite AC/DC album! What’s Next To The Moon?! C’mon! I still am not tired of it!

Powerage rocks!! It's AC/DC going prog. Songs where the choruses don't repeat and are not the title. Hypnotic guitar work, interesting drum fills too. Bon paints a picture with his lyrics.

I always thought I was the only one to fully listen to an AC/DC record in the car panned to one side and then over again, panned to the other (it's like having two, no, actually three records for the price of one). Now I know: I am not alone. Thank you, Justin!

Down Payment Blues isn't just a great song... it's the ULTIMATE lesson in disciplined rhythm guitar mastery. We miss you, Malcolm 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Powerage is up there with my all time favourites. Certainly favourite AC/DC album. Give me a bullet and Up to my neck in you - legendary. Kicked in the teeth, Next to the moon and Riff Raff - just incredible.

Man I love your channel. I could waffle for a while about how you ‘straddle’ the traditional thoughts and details of classic rock, but combine with your own intellect and your musical analysis, is incredible.

I always thought this album was so underrated, but over the years I'm finding more and more that everyone agrees it's their best.

Powerage... choice of the connoiseur... just knew you'd pick it! Band absolutely on top of their game but still sounding edgy and fresh. Bon at the height of his lyrical powers, spitting and snarling. Its an overused phrase but their really isn't a bad track on it. Count me among the 50 cent millionaires. I ain't doing much but doing nothing means a lot to me.

Best AC/DC album. It’s been my favorite for 43 years. Loved your rendition of Kicked in the Teeth.

I feel that Malcolm's role in the band contributed in a major way to their sound.

The best AC/DC album, superbly produced by Vanda&Young. The definition of guitarsound. One of my Desert Island Discs.

What an album! I became obsessed with it. In fact, I have you to thank for that, Justin. I knew about AC/DC yet had never properly appreciated them until you happened to mention this album in an interview (I think in NME or similar back in the 00s). At the time you mentioned it was probably your favourite album ever. So of course I had to check it out in its entirety. And I always think of that recommendation whenever I listen to Powerage. I think it highlights the importance of artists celebrating their influences in public. It keeps the flywheel of music creation in motion - with a nod to the past whilst creating something magical for the now and future.

I have to say Justin.... this is brilliant. A terrific breakdown and personal critique of one of my favourite all time albums. Your passion and love for this band and album comes through.. Thanks for this.

Absolutely agree on Powerage. Simply Amazing album. The Bon-era lyrics are awesome. Also. Ride On, from Dirty Deeds, is one of the great ACDC tunes too.

Definitely my favorite band for over 40 years. Tight and in your face best rock n roll band ever!

AC/DC is 'the' rock band. It's the blueprint of rock. They're so frigging good at what they do. And yeah Powerage is the peak of the Bon era.

ACDC was my Rock n Roll initiation. I remember the 1st time I heard "You Shook Me All Night Long", and I was hooked! They are the definition of Rock and Roll. Ballbreaker and Powerage are my favorites. I bought a Gretsch guitar, a pedal that replicates a "Marshall", and a combo amp, and I spend hours imagining that I am Malcolm. It's my therapy.

This has been my favorite AC/DC album since i found it early on. The return from the breakdown after the lead break always gets my blood pumping.

What a nice coincidence, my two fave bands of all time are also Queen and AC/DC. Love both Bon's and Brian's vocals.

Great outfit, Justin. I agree, great album. My favourite is Sin City. All the songs are perfect for a car ride.

Great video. I like Powerage the best as well, they just seemed unstoppable at that point, and a bit more dark and mysterious. With Highway to Hell, they had great tracks, but I think the polish of the production takes a little bit of that away.

Scott was a legend, always made you smile. Had the privilege of him sweating on me as he walked into the crowd with Angus on his shoulders at Glasgow Apollo in the 70s.

My high school teacher was telling me at school in the 80s how he used to see them and another great Aussie band Skyhooks in their early days for $1 at his local. Made this AC/DC fan drool hearing his stories.

I was aged 14 when I first heard this.. Man , talk about a visceral experience.

I loved Bon Scott's vocals and lyrics. Was never able listen to them after he died. "A Touch Too Much" is my favorite Acca Dacca song, if only because of the lines "She had the face of an angel Smiling with sin The body of Venus with arms." and It wasn't the first It wasn't the last It wasn't that she didn't care She wanted it hard And wanted it fast She liked it done medium rare Bon didn't have to move around much on stage because of Angus. Bon was the personification of lasciviousness. Saw them on their first tour of the US. They opened for Alvin Lee. We went to see AC/DC, not Alvin Lee. We had already bought Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and decided they were our kind of people. We all went and to see them again on their way back through Chicago. I hate being old, but I got to see some really excellent shows.

My mate Spud passed away year before last, they played "Let there be rock" at the crematorium and they actually cranked up the volume. It was awesome.

Not many people know that Bon Scott started off in a prog band called Fraternity.

An older fan I grew up with If You Want Blood live album. Got Powerage in 2003 and heard Downpayment Blues for the first time. A Revelation. That song just keeps building. I discovered it late but it’s their best. Oft overlooked.

My 2 favorite Albums of AC/DC are without doubt Powerage and Let there be Rock. I'm in deep love with whats next to the moon ever since.

The musicians in this line up are as good as a rock band can be. Cliff brought so much to AC/DC - but Phil was always the jewel in the crown, his groove and pocket are unsurpassed in rock music

Who's up for a Darkness gig consisting entirely of AC/DC covers? Me. That's who.

brilliant words for a brilliant record.... thanx bub... keep on rockin' and rollin! -Swiney

This is the best rock and roll commentary channel ever cause Justin is a talented, smart legit Rockstar

'Cold Hearted Man' is on my Powerage. (Not Rock n Roll Damnation). A great Acca Dacca Deep Cut (It's on 'Backtracks'). It's my favourite Ac/DC album too. Great show in Dublin a few weeks ago.

Great video and I couldn't agree more. Powerage is amazing; the band on top form and Bon's absolute peak. Nice to hear that it's Malcolm's favourite as well. Funnily enough I listened to it yesterday at high volume. The bit in Riff Raff before Bon comes in on the second verse where the guitars are so revved up that it feels like the whole thing is taking off while just about holding together is just pure exhileration. I also liked Bon's poverty songs which added a bit of variety to the sex, drugs, boozing and rocking of the rest of AC/DC's material. Think Down Payment Blues is the last of these.

Vanda & Young (the boys' older brother) who produced their early albums was in a seminal Australian band called The Easybeats. Songs like Friday on My Mind'. They sound a bit like The Animals.

Happy Birthday Justin !!!🤘🏻🎂❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥

I explode every time Gimme a Bullet comes around:) Great review..massive album, with Cliff on board they really tide up the knots to the tightest

The best thing they ever did was to stay the same and never change the sound. They are so crazy unique. No one on this planet sounds like ACDC

First gig I ever went to was AC/DC at the Birmingham Odeon back in 1978. What an experience for me at 15 year old that was! Rock n ROLL!!

the best thing about being an old Aussie bastard is that I got to see AC/DC with Bon Scott several times as a teenager . Absolute Energy!

The Holy trilogy of acdc are Powerage, Highway and back in black my opinion. Obviously other albums are great, but these 3 successive releases are the 3 wise men. Arguably Powerage is my favourite. That album is a party album and RnR Damnation I dare you not to dance to. Bon Scott was a true rnr poet and I can see why alot of acdc fans only mess with the Bon Scott stuff but I love it all and Brian too. My other 3 favourites are Let There Be Rock, Flick of the Switch and Ballbreaker. I always said the Bon era riffs are more lead driven riffs and Brian are more chord driven riffs

This video inspired me to give Powerage a re-listen. “Gone Shootin’” is a personal favourite. Mr Hawkins, after watching some of your videos I gave the first Darkness album a re-listen and remembered that (then as I do now) I feel your voice reminds me of Robert Smith of The Cure in a lot of ways. Do you consider Smith an influence on your singing?

I was once in Northern Queensland and happened to take a bus tour. The drivers claim to fame was that his mother once slept with Bon Scott back in the day. Just brilliant.

Amazing that you chose this album to review! I first heard POWERAGE on my local hometown FM radio station midnight album review in 1978........AC DC were 100% unknown at the time and I was hooked.......first time hearing this band. Needless to say, I bought the album. I was at the time, an aspiring young rock guitarist and vocalist. My band started covering SIN CITY at our back yard party gigs and many people got turned on to early AC DC prior to their success. I was fortunate to see BON SCOTT and the band on their Highway to Hell tour. Priceless! Very wise selection, Justin. Thanks for bringing back the memories! Cheers!

Definitely my favourite album, Bon was at his best here, they played Riff Raff on the last tour with Axl Rose and credit where it’s due he fucking nailed it.

POWERAGE is such an amazing album; has some of Bon’s best lyrics and Angus/Malcolm’s riffs

Riff Raff is the best hard rock song of all time there is no let down in the song at all and it still to this day makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up when i hear it. So great to see this great album get the love it deserves . But i think you are right only musicians tend to see how great it is

Loved this. Thanks for loving AC/DC as I have since 1978

Powerage is the greatest album ever in my opinion

Awesome stuff. Maybe one of these on Foxy Shazam at some point?

Beautiful, inspiring to see a super talented artist talking passionately about one of your favorite records too!

Love from Vietnam mate... Love your work.

Nice outfit Justin. Looking forward to the "I Want to Break Free" breakdown ;)

I'm listening to AC/DC for over 40 years, my absolutely favourite band. And only now in 2021 I recognized that the backcover from Powerage is from the same photo session as from Highway to Hell (frontcover)

LOL....I love AC/DC. As I was listening to this, I noticed you posted this vid on my birthday March 17th, which then led me to think about how long I have been enjoying AC/DC. I became aware of them~1977-1978. They have been one of my favorite bands for ~45 years...WOW. I remember my band used to play Gone Shooting live. We were doing several other AC/DC songs in our 4 set gig we played one night. I remember there was a guy in the audience from a band I know. This guy was a monster player - more like Robben Ford / Larry Carlton style. I remember he came over and asked me a bunch of questions about AC/DC and how I could play in that style. He said he tried and just couldn't get the attitude right. He said he loved the way we played those songs and in particular my playing on Gone Shooting. I worked my ass off to get the riffs right and REALLY worked hard to cop that solo. Just some nuances that I felt needed to be played correctly to get it right. That might have been the best compliment I ever received as a player. I love AC/DC...thanks for your vid.

Awesome album breakdown. It's been in my car (6 CD player, ooh fancy) for years and is the only CD that never gets swapped out. Gone shooting is amazing and my clear favourite, it's just about the grooviest song ever.

Thank you so much for shining a light on this masterpiece! I was way too young to drive a car at the time of learning the songs so I did the next best thing on a stereo without panning capabilities - disconnected one of the speakers. To me it's still the best moment in all of rock n roll, Angus' solo in Downpayment Blues. His brother's rhythm playing during said solo perhaps even more so. Still blows my mind, absolutely immense.

Thank you for validating my taste Justin!

Your love for Bon makes me so damn happy.

All time favourite album, this one holds a special place for me. I'm glad to hear you love it aswell, a man with good taste

AC/DC with Bon Scott was the soundtrack of my final school years. One of the greatest lyricists and front men of all time. I agree that adding Cliff really tightened the sound and with Phil Rudd on drums, that is the AC/DC for me. Great review of a great album. Might have to fire up the sound system!

A straight road about 20 miles long 100+ mph and powerage full blast is one of the best feeling you can have in this short life we have.

When I listen to Up To My Neck In You, I always hear a kind of Scottish connection in the guitar solo. With all the double stops and bends, it almost has a folk fiddle sound to it, with bends replaced by slides. But Riff Raff is just such a classic guitar break. Just when you think he's given it all he has, they do a quick breakdown and Angus is off again. And the solo on Sin City is just BLISTERING! Around 45 seconds of sheer adrenaline.

Thankyou deeply Justin for this very musical chat about music.

Holy hell Justin, Powerage is also my favourite AC/DC album. It just showcases the band at their pub rock best- before they were huge from the era where they were paying their dues "playing in a rock rollin band!". You just know that from the moment the band soundchecked on any given day it would just fill the room with pure rock power.

Happy Birthday Justin!! 🖤

Brilliant contemplations about AC/DC and Powerage!

Great great great tribute to a incomparable album. I can remember when I was in high school, me and my two friends would blast hash and listen to this album over and over. One of these friends died in an industrial accident a couple of years later. Got his head blown off while welding the top of an oil tanker. When I hear tunes off of this album, I cannot help but to think of him and the good times we had. SUBSCRIBED!!!!! :o)

Great breakdown of ACDC’s best album ever, with gone shootin my favorite,, been listening to this album since 1979,, and your acoustic is sweet, love that model!

”Can you tell I love Bon?” Yeah...I do too! 🙌🏻🤘🏻

15 minutes of absolute bliss 😊 ☺ Your vocals, guitar 🎸 playing, love ❤ for Bon Scott era ACDC ❤ is so correct and on point 👉 👈 👇 👌 👏 The only thing I would say is that 1977's Let there be rock is their very best album ❤ Thanks Justin you are superb 😀 ❤

Love your getup today Justin. Really suits you!

Saw you on Bargain Hunt yesterday, Justin Hawkins on tv played in my head to the tune of rides again

Such an amazing album! Never became a die hard fan til recently. Now I own the whole remastered collection..... Thinking I may toss this album on this morning seeing as I'm just waking up. Good start to the day..🤘

Happy happy happy birthday Justin! May your day be fabulous, your year be filled with blessings and may your birthday wish come true!

Love watching your channel Justin, became a fan of your band.

It’s 1977, I’m 14 years old, just started playing electric guitar and I hear Live Wire late at night with a few beers on board. I’m hooked. A year later I’m at the Brighton centre getting showered in Angus sweat as he rides on Bon’s shoulders through the mosh pit. Still cover their songs in our band of old farts who understand proper from the heart rock music. This album is pure energy.

Love his ability to listen and reproduce and explain...reminds of Rick Beato in that respect.

Right on point with this, Justin. POWERAGE is the album that had that cutting edge of great songs and great performances, even though Highway To Hell was the breakthrough with Mutt Lange. The whole of Side One delivered that feeling of "being there", and I had the privilege of seeing AC/DC twice with Bon Scott (and twice with the new guy who has been there over forty years...lol). One of those gigs was the Apollo Glasgow concert that produced If You Want Blood LIVE album. This one was produced by George Young (older brother of Malcolm and Angus - and uncle of Stevie who replaced Malcolm) and his Easybeats partner Harry Vanda, and that partnership produced and wrote many of the hits from 1975-1978. I also saw Queen four times around then, so I am completely with you when it comes to choosing great bands to listen to. more power to you, young sir.

Love it. See you Seattle tomorrow!

As a young teenager learning the guitar I had two tab books, the huge ACDC one and The darkness permission to land tab book, still have them. Love this album. Your channel is Great justin.

Man I gotta go listen to this album again. Forgot how much I love it.

Powerage has been my favorite album for a long while. And then I had the fortune of getting the European 10-track version with a different track order and a rougher mix… holy balls man

This just popped up in my recommended videos and you’re talking about one of my all-time favorite albums. To my knowledge, Gimme a Bullet is their only song without a solo, and also one of their best songs.