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.