With Back in Black, AC/DC raised the bar so high that no one could top it, not even themselves. The only way you're not going to like For Those About to Rock is if you compare it to Back in Black, which is understandable, but for me personally I enjoy the album to the same extent as Back In Black.

The title track was inspired by a the saying "For those about to die, we salute you" and the band simply changed a word. The song features cannon noises which build up for a grand finale. It is a concert staple, and justifiably so, but there's plenty more noteworthy tunes, among them are the verse-riff tandem of "Inject the venom", the relentless rocking of "Snowballed", "Night of the long knives" had a Back in Black-style groove, "Breaking the rules" is an anthemic, semi-bounce track. I recommend "For those about to Rock" wholeheartedly.


AC/DC Broadens Their Horizons   July 31, 2002
Bud Sturguess (Seminole, Texas, USA)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

Of course, following up 1980's record breaking "Back in Black" would be quite difficult, whether you make that assumption by sales or by quality. But leave it to AC/DC to carry on the true tradition of classic rock-n-rollers, with 1981's "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)." Here, the band explores all of their expected territory with epic rock anthems (the classic title track) and the predictably fashioned wine, women, and song scores ('Let's Get it Up,' 'Put the Finger on You'). But in a stunning yet well balanced manner, AC/DC brings listeners to a world on the streets, taking elements of frustration (the excellent 'Spellbound'), distrust (superbly crafted 'Night of the Long Knives') and rebellion ('Breaking the Rules'). 'COD' is classic AC/DC all the way, while the marvelous rockers 'Evil Walks' and 'Snowballed' seem to contradict the quintet's classic subject matter. Lead vocalist Brian Johnson's lyricism and bellows give the album its broad feel, while the guitar playing of Angus & Malcolm Young lead the rhythm section of Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd. Here in its remastered form, "For Those About to Rock" is one of AC/DC's peak accomplishments.


Yeah...It's Not "Back In Black"!   July 24, 2000
Joe Deveny (Anarica)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I think that the main reason that this album is not looked at as a great AC/DC album is because people will not stop comparing it to Back In Black.

Yes, Back In Black is one of the best rock albums ever recorded. Yes, Back In Black is by far AC/DC's best album ever.

BUT....what you need to realize is that EVERY ALBUM AIN"T GONNA BE BACK IN BLACK! When a band has an extremly sucessful album like Back In Black, there is always an enormus amount of pressure to make the follow-up album just as good or better. And most always, it is not.

With this album, however, I think that the band put together a solid ten-course rock n roll feast. The title song is one of their best, the cannons rule! Also Snowballed, COD and Evil Walks are good songs.

So if you give this album the fair chance it deserves and listen to it without expecting Back In Black, you will like it, I PROMISE!


VERY UNDERRATED!   December 24, 2004
Will (baltimore, md)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

it seems alot of ppl say that this album isnt the best performance by any of the band members. on the contrary, i think this is ac/dc at the peak of their talents. the album is a bit slower than back in black, but i actualy prefer FTATR over black! the title track is a great rocker, probably the only popular one off the album. i put the finger on you and lets get it up are the only tracks i dont care much for, soemtimes ill skip them. inject the venom is my favorite song, its great, faster paced and catchy. from here on out the album stays pretty steady, no bad songs. so dotn let people tell you this is so much worse than back in black, this is a great album


Like it better than Back in Black   November 9, 2004
Fly Guy (Fairchild AFB, WA United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I have listened to Back in Black so many times for so long that for a while it was the only AC/DC I listened to. One day I decided to pick up this album while shopping at Target and was blown away. I am not really a fan of AC/DC and just have Back in Black because it's one of those classic rock albums that you have to have in the collection. With this purchase though, I'm looking at picking up Highway to Hell and a lot of their older stuff. If you're even a casual fan of AC/DC and have only heard back in black, do yourself a favor and check it out. I guarantee you won't regret it.