Shihad's new take on Barnesy

Jon Toogood of Shihad. Photo / Supplied

Shihad are gearing up for the release of their ninth album, but they've found time to record a song with aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes.

Toogood and the boys have recorded a version of Barnes' metallic-tinged 1999 song Love and Hate as part of his upcoming hits compilation 30:30 Hindsight.

The 40-track album features 17 new recordings of some of Barnes' biggest hits recreated with other acts, like Keith Urban, The Living End, Babyshambles, Journey and Steven Van Zandt.

As Barnes puts it: "We've actually kicked some new life into the songs. I think when people hear this new record, they will get a sense that these are very modern takes on these songs. They sound fresh and they sound new and they sound alive."

Shihad's FVEY is due out on August 8, while Barnes' 30:30 Hindsight is available from August 29.

Speaking of Aussie rockers, AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd also plans to release an album on August 29.

Called Head Job, the album was recorded by the Tauranga-based musician with two mates, Allan Badger and Geoffrey Martin, in a studio not far from his local restaurant, Phil's Place.

Rudd drummed and produced the album while Badger and Martin performed vocals, guitars and bass on AC/DC-aping songs like Repo Man, Bad Move and Crazy.

It might help fill in some gaps for AC/DC fans wondering if Australia's biggest rock exports will ever perform live again after the band released a statement saying guitarist Malcolm Young was "taking a break from the band due to ill health".

That didn't stop rumours spreading of a potential headlining slot at next year's Glastonbury festival, when director Michael Eavis dropped hints during this year's event.

- TimeOut