The lawyer for AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd says that the charge of attempting to procure a murder has been withdrawn, reports SkyNews.

In a press release Paul Mabey QC said: 'I was advised by the (Tauranga) Crown Solicitor, (Greg) Hollister-Jones, that he had reviewed the police file and the available evidence to support the charge of attempting to procure murder. He had formed the view that there was insufficient evidence to justify that charge. He has now withdrawn the charge.'

A spokeswoman for Mr Hollister-Jones confirmed the procuring charge had been withdrawn. Mabey added that Rudd would defend a threatening to kill charge, as well as drugs possessions charges, which Mabey described as 'minor.'

AC/DC officially commented on the news of drummer Phil Rudd's arrest with the following brief statement:

"We've only become aware of Phil's arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock Or Bust and upcoming tour next year."

Legal controversy aside, Columbia Records has announced the North American release of AC/DC's new album Rock Or Bust, available December 2nd. It will be released in the band's homeland, Australia, on November 28th. However, the first new promotional band photo (seen above) for the forthcoming Rock Or Bust album is missing a band member - drummer Phil Rudd.

AC/DC shot videos for their new songs, "Play Ball" and "Rock Or Bust", on October 3rd and 4th at Black Island Studios in Middlesex, England. Drummer Phil Rudd was called away at the last minute and was unable to attend the video shoots. He was replaced by Bob Richards (Shogun, Adrian Smith Band).

A full report from the shoot, from Bob Fiddaman, can be found at this location.

Rock Or Bust is the band’s first studio album in six years and features 11 new tracks. Rock Or Bust follows the immensely successful Black Ice album, which debuted at #1 in 31 countries upon its release in 2008 and has gone on to sell nearly 8 million copies worldwide. Rock Or Bust was recorded in spring 2014 at Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, BC and finds AC/DC once again working with producer Brendan O’Brien and mixer Mike Fraser.

Rock Or Bust tracklisting:

"Play Ball"
"Sign Of The Times"
"Ain't The Way"
"Rock Or Bust"
"Done Her Good"
"Steal My Meal"
"Watching Games"
"Cardhouse Blues"
"Bulletride"
"Rumble"
"Back In The Zone"
"Play Ball":

Rock Or Bust is the first AC/DC album in the band’s 41 year history without founding member Malcolm Young on the recordings.

On September 26th, Yahoo.com reported that Malcolm Young, one of the founding members of veteran Australian rockers AC/DC, has dementia and is being treated in an aged care facility in Sydney. According to a family statement released via People.com those reports are true:

"Malcolm is suffering from dementia and the family thanks you for respecting their privacy."

Young, 61, suffered a stroke last year while the Sydney Morning Herald reported that he has dementia and was now a full-time patient at an exclusive Sydney care home.

"If you were in the room with (Young) and walked out then came back in one minute later he wouldn't remember who you are," the Herald's veteran music writer Bernard Zuel cited a Young "family connection" as saying.

"He has a complete loss of short-term memory. His wife Linda has put him in full-time care."

AC/DC will undertake a world tour in support of Rock Or Bust in 2015. Stevie Young, nephew of founding members Angus and Malcolm Young, plays rhythm guitar on Rock Or Bust and will accompany the band on tour.