AC/DC's Video For 'Play Ball' To Premiere Next Week

AC/DC's video for the song "Play Ball" will make its online debut next week. The clip was shot October 3-4 with director David Mallet at Black Island Studios in Middlesex, England.

Mallet has worked with the band for 24 years and says: "They have never come out with any pretense to be anything else than the best rock and roll band in the world."

"Play Ball" is taken from AC/DC's new album, "Rock Or Bust", which comes out December 2. The CD was recorded in Vancouver, Canada earlier this year.

Several photos from the "Play Ball" video shoot can be seen below.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was missing from the band's new publicity photo and was also a no-show at the group's video shoot for "Play Ball" and "Rock Or Bust". Rudd was replaced for the filming by drummer Bob Richards (who had previously played with SHOGUN and IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith),with singer Brian Johnson reportedly telling fans at the shoot that Rudd was unable to participate due to an undisclosed "family emergency."

On Thursday, Rudd was charged with attempting to "procure murder" by New Zealand police but the charge was dropped a day later by the Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones after a meeting with Rudd's attorney, Paul Mabey, and police. Mabey said that Hollister-Jones reviewed the case and concluded that "there was insufficient evidence to justify that charge. He has now withdrawn the charge."

Rudd must return to court on November 27, where he still faces one charge of threatening to kill as well as possession of meth and marijuana, which his lawyer described as "minor."

Mabey added that Rudd had "suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified."

Meanwhile AC/DC issued a statement on Rudd's arrest, saying, "We've only become aware of Phil's arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil's absence will not affect the release of our new album, 'Rock Or Bust', and upcoming tour next year."

The 60-year-old drummer was alleged to have tried to hire a hitman to kill two men in late September.

Rudd's arrest was the second major blow to AC/DC in 2014. Founding guitarist Malcolm Young was forced to leave the band earlier this year because he is afflicted with dementia.