AC/DC – “Through the Mists of Time”: Nostalgia with a Power Chord Heartbeat
Released in 2020 on the album Power Up, “Through the Mists of Time” is unlike almost anything else in AC/DC’s legendary catalog. Known for their hard-charging anthems, no-nonsense riffs, and relentless energy, this time the band took a step back — looking not at the crowd or the road ahead, but backward through their own history, through memory, loss, and enduring brotherhood.
More than just a rock song, it’s a eulogy, a tribute, and a celebration — wrapped in the unmistakable AC/DC sound, but layered with poignant emotion.
The Sound: Classic AC/DC with a Reflective Twist
Musically, “Through the Mists of Time” carries the DNA of AC/DC: steady drums, bluesy licks, and Angus Young’s melodic lead guitar. But unlike the aggressive stomp of “Shot in the Dark” or “Highway to Hell,” this track feels more open, spacious, and introspective.
The elements that define the track:
- A mid-tempo groove that gives space to the lyrics
- Clean, almost haunting guitar phrases from Angus that shimmer instead of shred
- Brian Johnson’s heartfelt vocals, more melodic than usual, but still unmistakably gritty
- A tone that feels both heroic and haunted, like flipping through a dusty photo album
It’s still rock, but with memory in its veins.
The Lyrics: Looking Back, Missing Faces
“See dark shadows on the walls / See the pictures, some hang, some fall…”
These are not your typical AC/DC lyrics. Gone are the party anthems, the bravado, the innuendo. Instead, “Through the Mists of Time” is a poetic meditation on the past — on old friends, fading memories, and the passage of time.
“Through the mists of time / Running back through the years…”
There’s a deep sense of loss, but also a strong sense of pride. The song doesn’t wallow — it remembers. It honors the road traveled, the stages played, and the brothers lost along the way.
It’s impossible not to think of Malcolm Young, AC/DC’s founding rhythm guitarist, who passed away in 2017. This track feels like a quiet salute to him, to Bon Scott, and to anyone who helped build the legacy AC/DC now carries.
A Tribute Wrapped in Power
“Through the Mists of Time” was one of the most talked-about songs from Power Up, an album already carrying the emotional weight of being the first release since Malcolm’s passing.
- The entire album was built from riffs Malcolm left behind, making this record a true collaboration between brothers
- Angus said in interviews that this track was one of the most emotionally personal on the album
- Fans and critics alike praised it as a refreshing shift in tone for the band — vulnerable, human, and timeless
In a catalog of more than 40 years of songs about rock ‘n’ roll defiance, this one stands apart — not because it’s soft, but because it’s real.
The Music Video: A Ghostly Hall of Rock History
The video for “Through the Mists of Time” only deepens the song’s nostalgic feel. Directed with stylized visual effects, it places the band in a virtual museum of memories, with photos, posters, and flickering images of past performances — all swirling in and out of focus.
It’s not flashy — it’s reverent. Like the song itself, the video acts as a celebration of AC/DC’s history, and a quiet nod to the ghosts who are still onstage in spirit.
Final Thoughts
“Through the Mists of Time” proves that even the loudest, most relentless rock bands have hearts that remember. It’s a song about legacy, about friends who are no longer here, and about carrying the torch for those who lit it first.
It’s about the weight of memory…
…and the joy of knowing the flame still burns.
In a way, it’s the most touching AC/DC song ever written — not because it’s quiet, but because it dares to look back without losing momentum.
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