Disturbing news out of New Zealand as long time AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been arrested on charges of attempting to procure a murder. That’s Kiwi speak for trying to hire a hitman. Rudd has also been charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis which were discovered in his home during an early morning police raid. No further details have been released.

Rudd was recently absent from the shoot for two videos from AC/DC’s upcoming album and was not pictured in the band’s most recent promo photos, an absence that singer Brian Johnson had explained as Rudd having to attend to a “family emergency.”

This is the second major setback for AC/DC in recent months as it was announced earlier this year that founding member, rhythm guitarist, and principal songwriter Malcolm Young is suffering from dementia and would be forced to retire from the band. Rudd was the band’s drummer from 1975-83. He left for a time, but returned in 1994 and has been behind the kit ever since. We will keep you posted with the details as they emerge.

Listen, here below, to the audio for AC/DC’s new single “Play Ball” from their upcoming seventeenth album Rock or Bust, which releases worldwide on December 2nd.

Audio