Viewed as a commercial flop and a major step backward, AC/DC's 1983 album Flick Of The Switch sees its 30th anniversary today. AC/DC were doomed from the get-go trying to follow-up the unstoppable Back In Black and under-rated follow-up, For Those About To Rock (We Salute You). Recorded once again at Compass Point Studios, in Nassau, Bahamas in April 1983, the band decided to take the production reigns on their own, following the triumvirate with Robert John "Mutt" Lange (which also included 1979's Highway To Hell). What emerged was a bare-bones, stripped down, under-produced version of the band that many fans relish to this day.

On record it was the same all-star team that was the leading force in hard rock in the '80s: Brian Johnson (vocals), Angus Young (lead guitar), Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar), Cliff Williams (bass) and Phil Rudd (drums). After completing his drum parts, the band hired future DIO drummer Simon Wright who would be seen in all the videos to promote the album: 'Flick Of The Switch', 'Nervous Shakedown' and 'Guns For Hire'.

Flick Of The Switch reached #3 in Australia, #4 in UK and #15 in the US, and has been certified platinum by the RIAA in the US one million in sales) which is no slouch. But when compared to the 50-million selling Back In Black and the five-million plus selling For Those About To Rock (AC/DC's first #1 album in the US), the album struggled, and radio/video couldn't help.

But Flick Of The Switch shines with raw appeal, outside the trio of classic video singles, 'Landslide', 'Brain Shake', 'Deep In The Hole' and 'Bedlam In Belgium' are toe-tapping, fist-pumping gems, whereas the down-tuned feel of 'This House Is On Fire' and 'Badlands' display the band's penchant for the blues. Brilliant!