AC/DC have revealed that they have completed work on their new album.
Brian Johnson, who collected an honorary doctorate from Northumbria University today, has said that the band have finished work on the LP, which they have been working on in Vancouver. It is likely to be released later this year or early next year.
“It was brilliant over there. We’re done. I’m very excited and we’ve got some great songs,” he told Metal Hammer.
Speaking about the current absence from the band due to health reasons of Malcolm Young, Johnson said: “We miss Malcolm obviously. He’s a fighter. He’s in hospital but he’s a fighter. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again.”
His nephew, Stevie, has been filling in for his ill uncle during sessions.
“Stevie was magnificent,” said Johnson. “But when you’re recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn’t well, it’s difficult.
“But I’m sure he [Malcolm] was rooting for us. He’s such a strong man. He’s a small guy but he’s very strong. He’s proud and he’s very private so we can’t say too much. But fingers crossed he’ll be back.”
Johnson admitted the band had discussed a number of album titles with the new release due to hit stores later this year or early 2015.
And he added: “I wanted to call the album Man Down. But it’s a bit negative and it was probably just straight from the heart. I like that.”
Johnson received his honorary degree from Northumbria University’s vice chancellor Prof Andrew Wathey, who says: “Brian has been an inspiration to the people of the North East and rock fans the world over.”