Back in Black - Malcolm Young Isolated - Live at Donington

[@ulfnoren]

One of his secrets is that he NEVER HESITATES - the hitting of the strings and the rhythm is in his blood and genes.

[@Krypt24]

That glorious Marshall edge-of-breakup sound w/ a Gretsch. Simple but unbeatable for pure rock power.

[@1026JAYST]

As a Rhythm player myself this is the standard we strive to achieve.

[@FenderTele]

I'm with you on that as a rhythm player as well

[@Scottocaster6668]

Yes it is!

[@ThaiThom]

"Malcolm was one of the great riff masters and one of the greatest rhythm guitar players of all time." - Keith Richards, 2017

[@danmoth5126]

Best rhythm player in history.

[@greatdelusion7654]

Yep, and somehow underrated.

[@ARPSMUSIC]

Really??

[@danmoth5126]

@@ARPSMUSIC Who would you nominate?

[@ARPSMUSIC]

@@danmoth5126 That's a tricky one Dan, and I agree Malcolm is brilliant and I've also got a soft spot for AC/DC but I've been listening to rock for nearly 60 years so I'll need to consider a lot of players. The likes of Chuck Berry, Lindsey Buckingham, James Hetfield, Rory Gallagher, Jonny Marr, Tom Morello, Jimmy Page, Jon Lord, Keith Richards, Nile Rogers, Pete Townsend to name a few. But yeah you're right, Malcolm is/was special!

[@ARPSMUSIC]

@@danmoth5126 I've been listening to rock for nearly 60 years and I would like to consider more players but yeah Malcolm was special!

[@edt.5118]

These isolated rhythm guitar tracks are gold.

[@thomasfarmer1730]

As it’s been said he was AC/DC’s secret weapon when it comes to the sound of the band

[@andreaseriksson8803]

Well, he was acdc regarding fiscal and management. Now of course that is replaced by other people including Angus but in the beginning he was unreplaceable.

[@kgunitkeese17]

Angus was the face, the marketing and the appeal of the band. Malcolm, on the other hand, was the brains behind the band.

[@GeoffTheChefOfficial]

The clowns that have disliked this have a lot to answer for. The guy plays live as per the recording to absolute perfect time and perfect tone. The chords are perfect. The pull offs are all perfect. He was …. Perfect.

[@ismaildebich2591]

Plus the toughness of hitting the chords without breaking them is Mind-blowing

[@stephentanner7415]

Good Christ what’s wrong w ppeople,I tell my friends to master this along top to bottom and they will be more than fine,his playing on shoot to thrill isolated is bananas,,I’ve seen them a million times,saw them w Stevie on blow up yer video tour,always beyond great

[@zoobril]

Amen

[@rollit06]

@@ismaildebich2591 , exactly...very good point. People take that for granted and they just don't know how difficult that is to do with Malcolm's precision. RIP ❤

[@lisaaffeldt-ford8977]

Amen

[@nicholasbartonlaw341]

Pure genius on those power chords. He let his brother shine, but provided all the firepower. He was unique and wonderful.

[@fretbuzz59]

Really solid playing, for sure. But can we please stop using the word "genius" for things that aren't "genius." Aside from the fact that "genius" refers to capabilities of the mind, such as intellect and creativity, there's nothing "genius" happening here; it's just a good craftsman at work.

[@nicholasbartonlaw341]

I listen and I hear genius, you listen and hear "a good craftsman at work." Although you may be right, I feel I am the luckier listener between us. @@fretbuzz59

[@patro784]

@@fretbuzz59sure, genius!

[@fretbuzz59]

@@patro784 I didn't say I was a genius; simply that the word is mis- and over-used. So fuck off.

[@mattpatt199]

​@@fretbuzz59100% genius

[@jonnythunder92]

Mal is the main reason why this great band is the best "toe tapping" rock band of all time..!

[@monochromedout]

Or head-banging if you play lead.

[@fretbuzz59]

Phil Rudd, actually.

[@cirrus393]

@@fretbuzz59 Both, actually.

[@steamengine4719]

Mal-Cliff-Phil

[@BigBoy4004]

This is what you can only hope, dream or pray for in a rhythm guitar player. He composed the songs that made generations of rock fans bang their heads to. The epitome of what separates boys from men in terms of flashy showing off solos playing vs. making money with brilliant legendary songs which people recognize instantly when Malcolm played the first note... Let's all take a deep bow to the Master! 🤘🏻🤯🤘🏻

[@henryjames545]

The backbone of AC/DC RIP legend

[@ogrish76]

The backbone? AC/DC was Malcolm's band, he was the number one guy, had to be weird for Angus when it became his band.

[@blancolirio]

Boy was I wrong! I thought Mal did the little twiddly bit as well! Epiphany!

[@donanders2110]

Great to see you here Mr. Browne!!!

[@MackieMc8709]

malcom was a master of the guitar. One of the absolute best rhythm guitar players to ever play. Every AC/DC song begins and ends with Malcom....he set the rythm and tone of AC/DC. Rest in Peace Malcom you are still loved and greatly missed.

[@andreaseriksson8803]

Well, I wouldn't forget Cliff nor Phil in that rhythm section. Especially Phil if you read the history and what the Young brothers themselves said. AC/DC's sound when it comes to the groove is due to Mal and Phil with a second place to Cliff and Angus. (This is the groove of the sound) Phil's late kick drum (10-25 ms) due to his hard hitting is a big, big part and sometimes at some songs during the new tour it's simply missed. Still a good drummer though.

[@huggniceman4975]

One of the heaviest tones in classic rock. That overdriven clarity is pure bliss.

[@NextApex]

I've been playing this song on guitar for decades, and by listening to this isolated track I've learned something new that I never picked up on before. Thanks for creating and posting this. It just shows what an absolute guitar genius Malcolm was, and how wrong people are who say what he did was 'simple.' It was anything but simple... it was brilliant.

[@gitaarmovies2003]

Yes angus young is amazing and not simple. People are stupid for saying that >:-(((((((((((((

[@Alv-et6hw]

@@gitaarmovies2003 He's taking about Malcom mate. Angus is great but his brother is AC/DC

[@gitaarmovies2003]

@@Alv-et6hw yes thats what im saying

[@brucenlittlepictures]

It IS simple, theoretically. It sounds simple. But playing like Malcolm is far from easy. Those picking hand techniques and perfect timing don’t come overnight.

[@gitaarmovies2003]

@@brucenlittlepictures Yeah the techniques angus young uses are very underrated.

[@JoeJohn777]

I met him a few years ago.....He was very shy but he grabed his guitar that is another story !!! what a legend !!!

[@klepta1674]

@Po' Boi if he says before he was dead, he had severe dementia so, quit your bullshit joe

[@milesaway3699]

The moment you realize you’ve been playing a song wrong for years.

[@Blinknone]

*decades

[@robmanzanares]

The moment I am assured I have been playing it correctly all these years.

[@andrewlevi5340]

Stays in time brilliantly. So in the pocket.

[@lungbusteroutdoors4783]

Scott Ian’s tribute to Malcoms playing on KZbin is awesome

[@lordpickle8424]

Awesome, never knew he was letting certain notes bleed into each other or letting the open strings ring out on chords too. Very nice and meaty tone too, clean yet just enough gain to break the sound up without getting into super saturation like how Angus' tone sounds like at the show.

[@aaron6841]

I never understood why anyone would wanna be a rhythm guitarist but listening to Malcolm he was fucking solid there is no ac/dc without Malcolm

[@lucardolswick5390]

Some aren't into the flashy showy tweedly dees, for some the soul of music lies in the rhythms and they are happy to live there. 😉

[@thebadterrorists5323]

I can only play rhythm, all that widdly widdly stuff is weird shit.

[@luizcauduro]

@@thebadterrorists5323 same

[@luizcauduro]

As a rhythmic guitarist, I can say that I had the same thought, but then I started hearing how the songs sound without a base guitar and its absolutely different

[@Testibus00]

Oh....it's because rhythm guitar kicks ass.

[@mikeshaffstall7853]

Truly one of the greatest of all time. R I P

[@Monsieur.Snickers]

By far the greatest of all time!

[@stupendous7848]

The way he pulls it all off is so clean and perfect. Particularly the chorus is fantastic. I've been playing this song for 17 years, and can't play it nearly as clean as he does after 11 years. He was a next level rhythm player.

[@donanders2110]

That was the part that stood out to me as well! His muting of open strings is absolutely perfect! Nothing "extra" going on!

[@michaelbarnes1442]

i have always loved Malcolm's sound from that Gretch. its like an old rusty bell getting smacked with a hammer!

[@edwardgallegos-hy4fj]

I agree with all my heart. It takes a mature musician to recognize perfection when you hear it. Malcolm us my idol!!!! Humility at its finest!!! So missed....

[@MrLaurizio]

indeed.

[@greatdelusion7654]

The way he makes it growl and purr so distinctively...unbelievable.

[@chuckcassidymusic]

Guitar, cable, amp. No pedal board, no tricks. Beautiful.

[@bobbuilder7946]

And not a hell of a lot of gain, just cranked right up. Nothing in the way of the signal, no reverb, nothing. Love it like that, just straight in and straight out of the amp. You just have to play it real solid, and he sure did that. The most solid rhythm guitar in history.

[@henrikduende]

Woooo i never knew about the rhythmic variation on the 2nd part of the solo

[@greatdelusion7654]

This happens in almost every one of their songs if you listen carefully to Mal’s backing rhythm.

[@dirty-thunder-struck5]

Malcolm Young the man, myth, legend, drive, core, lead, inspiration, guide of the best Rock and roll/ Hard rock band of all time. Malcolm. R.I.P ! We salute you!

[@martin-hi8uk]

These isolated guitar tracks are so cool. Malcolm is an incredible guitar player.

[@susanbutzler3536]

Love Malcom 💘

[@matyczx]

love you too bro

[@tito.tarantula]

A journalist once asked Angus what it's like being the best guitarist in the world. Angus replied: Hell man, I'm not even the best guitarist in this band... - Malcolm was the precision V8 behind AC/DC and Angus had no problem admitting it.

[@StephenS-2025]

Their secret weapon. Raw, perfect tone and timing.

[@bew92683]

Two words: Effin' Genius! A master class in what you can do with down picks and up picks.

[@dennisrogers3132]

Thanks for this. Malcolm was the foundation, Angus the "Mad King"! RIP.

[@leelauder4411]

Thanks Malcolm!! Your rhythmic prowess will always be Legend!!!

[@gitaarmovies2003]

wow bro amazing!!!!

[@santoslhalper6116]

I was just thinkin before this that Malcolm Young is my hero

[@AlainHubert]

This is so good that I can listen to him only and still hear everybody else from the band in my head along with him! R.I.P. Malcolm, you were a rhythm guitar genius composer and player!

[@МаринаПопова-ж7у]

He is a great fellow, and in general, the group is a legend, rock is real !!!

[@andreasdeutinger7319]

damn, he IS good! that rhythm is unmatched.

[@MrLaurizio]

not even one mistake. great playing. respect.

[@thainhaines2853]

played live just as it was in the studio *let that sink in*

[@Jeb4100]

?

[@marw9541]

Rhythm guitarists are generally supposed to do that

[@mojopin70]

Why, it's not hard if you are a professional player 🙄

[@RonAshton000]

Could listen all day

[@bradhienzachary]

It’s like a perfect studio track. So perfect hard to believe so it’s a real credit to him knowing it was live. The rest of would have more mistakes

[@UserUli]

When I first heard that isolated track, I thought "wow, Malcolm uses a noise gate" But no, you can hear Angus when he stops playing. That means there is no such thing as a noise gate. Its just his perfect control of the strings.

[@danishskiwarehouse]

I met Mal once and shook his hand. His (right) hand grip was incredibly strong. That strength is one of the reasons why he sounded like he did, and your excellent point regarding string control is part of that picture. If you listen to the isolated track of “Shoot to Thrill”, at the beginning where he’s playing the D power chord and A power chord riff with the little run supposedly playing the C#, that C# isn’t so much a note but more percussive. It’s funny because a C# there sounds too “sweet”, so it makes sense. Then again, everything Mal did was perfect. Sorry for going on but from your comment I suspect you’re as big a fan of his as I am.

[@danishskiwarehouse]

Correction: G to D power chords

[@greatdelusion7654]

@@danishskiwarehouse Amazing! Thanks for sharing! I’m fascinated by this man’s extraordinary rhythm.

[@blckmesa8978]

@@danishskiwarehouse yeah he might have been small, but he sure had strenght when playing, that's one of the craziest things to look at when you see him playing, he was almost always sweating, and you could see the veins in his arms as if they were about to explode, truly a beast, the best rythm guitar player in the world.

[@rockerneck]

I’ve been studying Malcolm’s style and tone for years now. I can tell you the only way to sound remotely close to him is to start practicing at full volume with the biggest amp you got and the cleanest breakup tone it’ll muster. Pair that mother with fat strings over a low output bridge humbucker and start playing the rhythm behind Ang’s solo in Let There Be Rock.

[@ThrashRoC]

One of my ABSOLUTE Guitar Heroes !! The BEST Rhytm Player in the whole History of Rock n Roll (and beyond)

[@griiseknoen]

Love that "chewy" Malcolm tone! Hard and precise pick attack on 12 gauge strings with just _a little_ bit of gain. The twang and the string sound comes through so beautifully, giving the riffs the perfect amount of transient definition they need to cut _just right._ And then, when you blend Malcom's sound with Angus's more distorted tone... Chef's kiss. Perfection. ♥

[@donanders2110]

Is this your version of "Almost Famous" 🤣🤣🤣

[@konradz912]

Malcolm created music to Back in Black album, especially for title song

[@TunedIntoCars]

The way he makes those chords sound so big. What a player. Unbelievable!

[@captainslam]

God, that tone...

[@TwelveSticks]

These isolated live tracks are amazing - it's all SO clean! I couldn't play it that clean, sitting at my desk, never mind when rolling backwards and forwards to the mic and singing backing vocals too!

[@John-tw1ke]

Wow, that was pretty perfect!

[@makucevich]

Power finesse impeccable timing and great sound.

[@MichaelMiller-ny3rr]

When Malcolm lays down the raw precision rhythm track for any and all of AC/DC’s many many kick ass songs... it’s time to Rock! 😉

[@davidjohnmcguigan7848]

Less is more, more or less, killer riff, one of my guitar hero's if you want blood was one of my first record purchases. love it.

[@bigbluegpr]

Angus was asked by an interviewer once what it was like to be one of the best guitarists in the world. Hiss answer? "I'm not even the best guitarist in the band!"

[@KevH-v9e]

I think he said….’I’m not even the best guitarist in my family’

[@CraigMansfield]

If you don't have "it" you can't get it. If you do have "it", nobody can take it away. To me, this is one of the best guitar riffs in the history of man. Arguably the best..... But that's a bold statement with Queen, Thin Lizzy and Aerosmith kicking about.

[@CraigMansfield]

Not to mention the architect of Rock n Roll: Little Richard. And all the Blues men.

[@richardharding8438]

I don't think it's even the best riff on that album, but it's all about opinions isn't it? 😁

[@foadrightnow5725]

I can't believe how clean his tone is! I guess Angus adds the grit!

[@janefoxguitars6061]

Damn those 12s on that Gretsch sound ferocious!

[@thenowherestairs]

It is nice to hear Ang bleed into Mals channel there. Awesome those two brothers.

[@franklanger3848]

Malcom Young war ein genialer Sänger

[@sandman141414]

Me encanta ese tono, esa energía y fuerza para tocar.

[@sirgeorgiosmalachiedwardja9880]

Malcolm young rhythm guitar playing in track is amazing great and brilliant best and thank you Malcolm young for your work in AC/DC as greatest rhythm guitarist all you have been brilliant for strumming hammer rhythm guitar sound and you been miss Rest In Peace mr Malcolm young Rip legend rhythm guitarist of AC/DC

[@davidbier7518]

Thanks so much for this

[@timhintz]

Amazing how clean it is. The best!

[@trevorvogler4661]

So powerful 🤟🤟🤟

[@markycedriceay3207]

So cool

[@gitaarmovies2003]

yeah bro angus young is very cool. ac/dc 4 life!!!!!! :DDD

[@gitaarmovies2003]

@Mafio Man yeah same long live angus !!!

[@almighty1984]

Amazing tone

[@nitrovice]

Fascinating, he was awesome 👍

[@RebelWithACoz]

When you think you've rolled off enough gain, roll off more and HIT IT HARDER!

[@Neil-Aspinall]

What an amazing OD amp sound. I think so many guitarists have gone crazy with their pedals in this era, all you really need is an OD amp and a boost pedal.

[@peterogden8498]

This is absolutely immaculate. Wonderful. Simply wonderful. Thank you for this. Almost brings a tear to the eye, he is so so so good.

[@FearghasKelly]

The added semiquavers at 2:05 🤯

[@jarikoskenniska299]

Amazing groove in that rythm! ...n perfection!

[@Ottlovesyou]

Thank you for this service 🙏

[@carloscostaXX]

The attack!!! ⚡

[@stephentanner7415]

Drums n bass at chorus is goddamn genious

[@Jbird47978]

Malcolm and angus literally made this band could listen to them for hours playing together RIP

[@anthonyglennmollicasr.425]

Very good timing!

[@ckmoore101]

I can't get over how freaking clean every single note is. You look at how he kind of bounces, along with his strumming hand... it kinda looks a bit chaotic. But damn, is that some seriously in pocket playing..... GOAT

[@barrywhitley7492]

It's exact, tight with a terrific sound and clout. That's rhythm playing!

[@WalneySP]

Sensacional...

[@clownhands]

They way he plays ahead of the beat, giving the song its driving feel. Insanely difficult to do consistently.

[@farmerkevin]

Sounds so simple. Love it.

[@diesel7499]

Damn bro this really helped a lot i’m a rhythm guitar player and trying to learn some ac/dc riffs and i was looking for some isolated Malcolm Young rhythms and i came across this video and now i know the full rhythm guitar part. R.I.P Malcolm Young 🤘🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@citadel9611]

Malcolm was the backbone of AC/DC.

[@Mjdeben]

Crazy how clean his tone really is when you isolate it. In the mix it sounds like it has a lot more gain on it.

[@SteveBodart]

A Legend Forever !

[@jimlang9418]

He was a beast Rip Malcolm 👏👏🙏

[@RisingEdge111]

Darn, I feel so silly. All these years I am thinking that it was all Angus Young I was hearing.

[@mattyburrows9059]

That was the idea .thunderstruck video makes it look like its starts 1 handed and when it kicks in it looks like its angus playing 2 things with 2 hands but its malcolm and that is the whole rhythm head bopping part of the song

[@agatagarcia4454]

MALCOLM, allà on estiguis, GRÀCIES, NOI, MOLTES GRÀCIES, per ser testimoni d'una música que vam viure tots, dins la teva bategada. Et recordo com si fos ahir, aquell noi que se'n va anar deixant-nos la porta oberta per recordar-lo. I tant que ho faig!!! PERÒ JO, ADEMÉS, VULL UNA ABRAÇADA BEN FORTA!! ACONSEGUIT! 🚬🥃. Ens veiem allà on vam dir. VALE? No sé quan... T'estimo, valent!

[@autosmiley1532]

In a single explanation for beginners ==> it's remarkably precise, better than an atomic clock for other musicians and in the service of the music as a whole.... You'll realize it when you listen to the whole thing, with the remus in your guts with every riff attack produced a thousandth of a second after the snare drum has kicked your neck.

[@bluehappyscrap]

AWESOME!!!😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁

[@liljj90]

the best

[@michaelJ415]

Kick ass👍🏻😘 Rip -Thanks!

[@MarcoRenz80]

Wow... 😎

[@mariannefox8428]

That's the whole sound to ACDC right there.... It's An immediate identifier.. he was the BEST

[@briannaw5270]

The day Malcolm Young passed away is the day Rock n Roll lost its rhythm. Rest in peace

[@00Sydn3y]

No one on da Beat like him⚡️⚡️⚡️R.I.P. Mal~