A new hardcover book, entitled Why AC/DC Matters, by Anthony Bozza, is due for release on October 2nd.

A book description from Harper Collins Canada reads:

"Australian rock giants AC/DC have sold more records in the US than MICHAELD JACKSON, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, AEROSMITH, and the ROLLING STONES, yet have always been undervalued and unappreciated by mainstream rock music critics.

In Why AC/DC Matters, former Rolling Stone staff writer and New York Times bestselling author Anthony Bozza addresses this inequity, penning a just tribute to these monsters of rock.

Brimming with fascinating stories and insights from musicians, fans, music scholars, and the author himself, Why AC/DC Matters is an overdue homage to arguably the greatest rock and roll band of all time."

Pre-order the book at this location.

AC/DC have announced official details of Back Tracks - the ultimate 3CD/2DVD/1LP rarities box set, due out on November 10th via Sony Music Entertainment. The comprehensive collection of the band's studio and live rarities together in one place, remastered to sound better than ever (many on CD for the first time), on three CDs and one LP. Two DVDs brings Family Jewels up to date plus the entire 2003 Circus Krone gig. A 164 page hard-cover book, collectible merchandise reproductions, and a working guitar amp make this a must-have for true AC/DC fans.

What you get with AC/DC Backtracks Deluxe Collector's Edition

Collectors Edition Box-Set:

The 12"x12"x4" (30cm*30cm*10cm) exterior box is designed to resemble a vintage AC/DC guitar amp – complete with the original logo that was spray-painted onto the rear of Angus and Malcolm’s speaker cabinets in 1975. The “head” of the amp has a handle that lifts the top off to reveal the contents housed within. Oh yeah, the head is also a WORKING GUITAR AMPLIFIER! That’s right, one watt of pure AC/DC makes this box a truly unique collector’s item. You can PLAY the box set while LISTENING TO the box set! Check out the videos of Angus using the amp.

3 CDs:

CD 1 – Studio Rarities

This CD, for the first time, collects AC/DC’s studio rarities, many on CD for the first time. These are all of the songs that the band recorded throughout their career that appeared on Australian-only LP releases, movie soundtracks, 7" and 12" single releases, and CD "tour editions", etc. 12 of the 18 tracks are completely unique songs that have all been remastered to match the unparalleled sound quality of the rest of the Columbia AC/DC catalog reissues. The other 6 tracks are the original versions of classic AC/DC songs previously only available on the original Australian albums. Some restore seconds to the original fades, others restore guitar solos and choruses. All are highly sought-after collectibles and have never sounded this good!

CDs 2 & 3 – Live Rarities

Like CD 1, this is a collection of the band’s live rarities from singles, CD pros, compilations and other oddities. All have been remastered from original sources for optimum sound quality.

2 DVDs:

Family Jewels Disc 3

Picking up where the original 2DVD "Family Jewels" set leaves off (1991), Family Jewels Disc Three begins with "Big Gun" the theme song to the motion picture "Last Action Hero" – itself a rarity on CD 1 – the first time on any AC/DC album! You also get all three music videos from the Ballbreaker album, three from Stiff Upper Lip and the most recent clips for "Rock N Roll Train" and "Anything Goes" from the #1 album Black Ice. But there's more! Several clips from the original Family Jewels set actually had more than one promotional clip. Here are the alternate versions of those classic videos – all on DVD for the first time.

Live At The Circus Krone 2003

2003 was a banner year for AC/DC. From their induction into the Rock AND Roll Hall Of Fame to massive European dates with the Rolling Stones, the band made several high-profile public appearances (including the SARS concert in Toronto for 200,000!). One run of shows found the band returning to their roots – playing clubs and theaters where they thrilled fans with sweaty, stripped-down shows and even throwing in some rarities they hadn't played in years. This show from Munich, Germany is the epitome of an “inside” look at how powerful the AC/DC show is – without all the bells and whistles of the big arena and stadium shows (well, they did bring the cannons…).

164 Page Coffee Table Book:

164 pages of rare and unseen photos spanning 1974-2009 plus full-size re-prints of original press releases, tour itineraries, tour books, test pressing labels, advertisements and much more. A real history of the band from the inside out. Rare photography includes never-before-seen shots of the band recording at the Albert Music studio on King Street in Sydney with legendary producers Harry Vanda and George Young in 1977. Also tons of unpublished live shots from all over the world.

LP:

The 12 unique studio rarities from CD 1 presented on 180 gram audiophile vinyl, mastered specifically for LP. A classic album in its own right!

The box set is complete Original Memorabilia Reproductions.

For complete tracklistings, video clips, photos and extensive information visit ACDCBacktracks.com.

Amazon has a two-CD, one-DVD Back Tracks box set on pre-order below:

Check out the Back Tracks video teasers below: