Australian rockers AC/DC are preparing to end an eight year chart absence by heading back to the studio to record a new album.

The band has released a variety of re-mastered LPs over the last few years, but there hasn’t been any fresh material recorded since 2000’s Stiff Upper Lip.

But now the group have announced plans to reunite next month (March08) to record a new LP, and the bandmates are also considering embarking on a major world tour.

Bassist Cliff Williams says, " We’re going to get together and get in the studio and I fully expect we will (tour).

"(When) the last tour ended in early 2001, you’d see kids on their dads’ shoulders. And these kids were like 10, 12 years old. It will be tremendous to see that again."