Wicked Riff Wednesday Episode 6: Back in Black and why AC/DC ISN’T Heavy Metal

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There is something infectious about AC/DC's music. Songs like You Shook Me All Night Long, Girl's Got Rhythm, T-N-T and Back in Black, make the young and the old alike want to get up and rock out. Their music is heavy enough to be confused with heavy metal but fun enough that wedding bands cover it.

While the guitars, bass, drums and vocals (and some lyrics too) are definitely heavy enough to be metal, AC/DC's swaggering rhythm's, bluesy guitar playing and penchant for "American thighs" puts them firmly in the hard rock realm. Sorry metal heads. I know that you love AC/DC too. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

In many ways AC/DC like their predecessors Black Sabbath, are a bit of a conundrum in the heavy rock world. They are embraced by music fans with allegiances too various styles, including punk and classic rock but claim no official affiliation. They simply play the music that comes naturally to them.

In 1981 they changed the rock world when they released Back in Black. It became an almost instant classic. Every track is great, and you can still hear most of them today on any classic rock station.

The title track is an homage to their fallen front man Bon Scott and is as powerful today as it was almost when it was released nearly 40 years ago!