ARE THEY METAL?: AC/DC

Australia's AC/DC, formed in 1973, are a band that were mainstays in the hard rock scene since the band's formation. A band that would face the loss of the band's original front man Bon Scott. With his magnum opus being the band's 1979 classic Highway To Hell. Following Scott's passing in February 1980, the band would regroup, hire former Geordie vocalist Brian Johnson and hit the studio in April that same year and release Back in Black in July. Not only did they lose the band's beloved vocalist, but grieve, record and release a new album less than five months after losing Scott. The band rose like a phoenix from the ashes and darkness of losing Scott and release ten more albums, with the most recent being 2020's Power Up.

Though the band has been an inspiration and influence for many metal musicians, like Tom Morello, Dave Mustaine, Scott Ian and Dave Grohl. And legendary metal acts like Metallica, Slayer, Airbourne and The Cult. The question still remains: Are They Metal?. Is the band heavy enough to be considered metal? Are they along the lines of Zeppelin where they might not be heavy in the traditional way, but the legacy they left in their wake made them metal? I will look into the band's music and try to answer that question in another edition of Are They Metal?

Musically, they might not have the chugging, double bass and growl vocals that a lot of modern metal has nowadays. But, that doesn't mean that their sound doesn't have roots in metal. Some of the guitar solos by uniform-clad lead guitarist Angus Young, have elements of blues and traditional rock and roll. While also creating that technical proficiency and inspiration in play style. Upon the release of Highway To Hell and Back in Black, many of the songs on those albums inspired countless young musicians to pick up a guitar and try to play the opening riff of "Highway To Hell" or "Hell Bells". Even later albums like 1990's The Razor's Edge features the hammer-on opening of the band's classic "Thunderstruck". Blowing many musician's minds that he was hitting so many notes without strumming or hitting a single string. Dark lyrical subjects were also "metal" you could say. Songs like "Night Prowler", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "Highway To Hell" and "Shoot To Thrill". Dealing with subjects like drug use, murder, and Satan.

The vocals are another factor in what makes the band metal. Bon Scott delivered a machismo, testosterone-fueled swagger in his vocals. Songs like "T.N.T', "Big Balls" and the screams on "Highway To Hell" capture that power and aggression in his vocals. All while delivering comedic or almost theatrical vocals on some of those songs. Brian Johnson's vocals add more harshness in his singing. With so much grit and distortion in his delivery, it inspired people who maybe don't have the best singing voices to pick up a mic and sing to the best of their ability. Which, you could say, some extreme metal vocalists can relate to. I can't sing, but I can growl or scream, and if Johnson can sing great songs with his voice, why can't I? These vocals deliver the trademarks of not only traditional rock, but hard rock and metal to an extent.

One of the only criticisms I am seeing while researching this piece that cannot be ignored, is that AC/DC write "the same song". Many critics and fans calling their music "simplistic, monotonous and repetitive". In their defense, they write the music they like to make. They aren't lying about the criticism and even make light of the critiques they receive from their naysayers. With Angus himself even cracking a self-jab at the band's musical legacy:

Some people say we have thirteen albums that all sound the same. That isn't true. We have fourteen albums that all sound the same.

The other point in their favor is they are realist. When was the last time you heard any member of AC/DC say "This is our heaviest album" or "We went back to our roots with this record" or "this is the new AC/DC" and it disappointed. AC/DC doesn't do that or try to sell you on something that it truly isn't. They are reliable, real, consistent and they are ok with that. If that's the music they wanna make, then more power to them. If you want to listen to more adventurous versions of AC/DC, then go elsewhere. It's meat and potatoes hard rock and heavy metal and they are ok with that.

AC/DC have even be considered the pre-cursor to the boom of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal sound that would emerge in the late 1970's. Becoming more prevalent and well known in the 1980's. They were included in the same group of acts like Thin Lizzy, Motörhead, UFO, and Scorpions. Bands that may not be the heavy metal that would come at the rise of the NWOBHM scene, but would be the inspiration and influence that gave them a starting point. Especially with Judas Priest's debut album Rocka Rolla leaning more towards the bluesy sound that AC/DC made popular.

So, the reason you read my article, is AC/DC metal? I would have to say Yes. With the influence they had on the genre, the impact and inspiration that affected so many countless musicians and the music itself truly lives up to the idea of what metal is. They were unconventional when they came out. The band tinkered with sleaze, classic rock and roll, but amplified it with dark lyrics, creative guitar solos and imagery that not only made the band recognizable, but legendary in metal history to this day. I am aware that this answer will be divisive among the metal community, and I am ok with my stance. This band might not be your traditional version of heavy metal, but like I mentioned earlier, there wouldn't be a lot of metal bands without them. If you don't consider AC/DC metal, then you can't consider Ghost, Deep Purple or Lordi metal. In my opinion, AC/DC is a metal band and if you disagree with me, I'll see you on the Highway To Hell.

Do you consider AC/DC metal? Let us know in our social media accounts in the comments section. Also, let us know what bands you think we should cover for this series!