Ballbreaker  by AC/DC

After a five-year discographic absence, AC/DC returns with their twelfth studio album in 1995, titled Ballbreaker. The album follows the familiar rock paths of AC/DC and even reminded many of the '70s sound (e.g., the song Boogie Man). This was largely due to producer Rick Rubin, who has always been a big fan of the band. It is said that Rubin prohibited anything digital in the studio, and everything was done with analog equipment to achieve the authentic and classic sound of AC/DC. On the other hand, there were also intense moments between Malcom Young and Rick Rubin, as the latter insisted on up to 50 rehearsals for a song before recording it. Mike Fraser, the sound engineer, also played an important role in the production of Ballbreaker.

The recording lasted from February to May of 1995 and took place at Ocean Way Recording studios in Los Angeles. The initial intention was to record in New York at the Record Plant studios, but the band was not at all satisfied with the sound of Phil Rudd's drums at the New York studio, as he had rejoined the band in the meantime.

Ballbreaker managed to keep AC/DC relevant in the mid-'90s during a time of tectonic changes in rock music. The album reached the Top-10 in many countries, and its sales are approaching 3,000,000 copies.