AC/DC to issue Wal-Mart-only record

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Heavy metal band AC/DC's new album will be distributed only through Wal-Mart stores in the United States, company officials said Monday.

The album is called "Black Ice" and is the veteran rockers' 16th studio effort. It will be available only at Wal-Mart stores Oct. 20, and represents the latest in a series of exclusive music deals for the giant retailer based in Bentonville, Ark., The Wall Street Journal reported.

But analysts also noted the move comes at a time when Wal-Mart is letting it be known to the music industry that it's planning to stock fewer CDs. They say that's part of a larger downward CD sales trend that's picking up steam as more and more consumers make the transition from discs to digital music.

AC/DC's fellow classic rockers The Eagles and Journey earlier concluded exclusive deals with Wal-Mart and found success with it, the Journal said, noting that The Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden" was the third-best selling album of 2007.