AC⧸DC - Thunderstruck

What this video is

Released in 1990 as the lead single from The Razors Edge, 'Thunderstruck' arrived at a cultural inflection point: Hair Metal was fading, grunge was ascendant, and rave culture was reshaping the UK. AC/DC's refusal to adapt to trends — delivering a stripped-back, maximalist concert video with zero narrative conceits — was itself a cultural statement. The Brixton Academy setting grounded the video in authentic live…

Why it matters

A canonical document of arena hard rock performance aesthetics, 'Thunderstruck' established a template for the pure-performance music video: no narrative, no concept, only the live event filmed with technical sophistication. The under-stage and instrument-mounted camera innovations were ahead of…

The director

David Mallet is a British music video director renowned for his work with major rock and pop acts. His credits include videos for Queen, David Bowie, Iron Maiden, and AC/DC, making him one of the most significant directors of the MTV era. He previously…