Hells Bells

"Hells Bells" is widely regarded as one of the band's best songs. In 2020, The Guardian ranked it number six on their list of the 40 greatest AC/DC songs, and in 2021, Kerrang! ranked it number seven on their list of the 20 greatest AC/DC songs.

"Hells Bells" is the first track of Back in Black, the seventh studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC and their comeback album after the death of lead singer Bon Scott. It is the second single from Back in Black, released on 31 October 1980. The song also appears on Who Made Who, AC/DC's 1986 soundtrack to the Stephen King film Maximum Overdrive, and on both versions of 1992's AC/DC Live. The track begins with the slow, funereal tolling of a 2,000-pound (900 kg) bronze bell manufactured by John Taylor & Co Bellfounders in Loughborough. Tony Platt recorded the bell sound using Ronnie Lane's mobile studio inside the bell foundry after the Back in Black tracking sessions at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas.

Quick Facts

Artist: AC/DC
Album: Back in Black
B-side: What Do You Do for Money Honey
Released: 31 October 1980
Recorded: April–May 1980
Studio: Compass Point (Nassau)
Genre: Hard rock
Length: 5:12

Lore & Background

Legends speak of a specific bell tower hidden in the heart of the band's metaphysical stage, where Malcolm Young first forged the iconic opening riff that would define this artifact. Only after the music was composed did the concept of the title 'Hells Bells' crystallize to match the ominous power of the sound. Once rung by Angus Young, clad in his schoolboy uniform, the bells cannot be silenced until the energy they release has fully consumed the audience or the arena.

Reader's Guide

When activated, they do not just produce sound; they alter the atmosphere, turning a mundane setting into a high-stakes arena of danger and excitement. To wield this artifact, one must possess an unyielding connection to the rhythm of hard rock. It is most commonly associated with the lead guitarist, whose performance acts as the key to unlocking the bells' power. The sound itself serves as both a warning and an invitation, challenging listeners to embrace the chaos rather than flee from it. In practice, the artifact amplifies adrenaline and focus, allowing those who hear it to push past their physical limits. However, it demands respect; ignoring its toll can lead to being overwhelmed by the raw energy it unleashes. It is a tool for the brave, ensuring that when the music stops, only the strongest remain standing.

Did You Know?

"Hells Bells" was used as entrance music for MLB player Trevor Hoffman at home games from 1998 to 2010.
The song is played before every New Jersey Devils home game as the players come out on the ice.
German football club FC St. Pauli, French rugby club RC Toulonnais, and Greek football club PAOK FC all open home matches walking out to "Hells Bells."