We also have had the discussion of AC/DC being metal or not metal…. we have decided that although AC/DC have contributed a huge amount to hard rock and more than likely influenced many metal musicians…their music is not metal. There is a very fine line between hard rock and heavy metal, as I think that metal was born from hard rock bands wanting to do more, louder and faster and it has morphed from there to where it is now – 1500 metal genres which shouldn’t matter and don’t matter to most but do to some. The key to it is….if you love the music, then love it because you do :)

We love AC/DC even though it is not metal because we have both grown up listening to it, loving it and were so stoked to be at the concert (a couple next to us were discussing how amazing it was that we knew the words to every song) which was amusing to us as we were just rocking out and having fun.

To quote Kerry King on a metal doco that was on C4 a while ago – AC/DC is not metal, Kiss is not Metal – so we now put our CD’s in the order that is “the Kerry King system”

Oh and…
The illuminated red caps with devils horns on either side of the stage were meant to be replicas of Angus’ school cap from highway to hell.

The heavy metal debate to be fair is like arguing that christ is the true saviour to a rabbi. There are however some clear indicators and differences between “metal” and what is rock or hard rock. AC/DC are clearly rock no question. Blues rock or white blues. Manowar has glaring differences such as galloping use of lower tuning and general content of the music. Also the use of power chords. Metallica black album has moments that relate it to metal like the use of the 5th particulary in “Enter Sandman” To me they are a hardrock band playing occasional metal. Also considering they shaped the bay area thrash scene. Although I think european thrash was more important such as Kreator, Destruction, Sodom etc etc. The way I look at metal today there is two distinct areas Heavy Metal (classics like Dio, Manowar, Sabbath etc) and Metal (with all its silly sub genres). Metal isnt the only music on the planet but it is the only genre not willing to take credit for ACDC. Metal is an idea/opinion, a passion, a lifestyle. It is bigger than its participants it is a lifestyle. It is also a closed society. But brotherhoods are select.

This is really interesting. I like the distinction between “heavy metal” and “metal”. I’m no musician, so I an’t claim any intricate knowledge of what differentiates metal from rock apart from the basics: power chords and double bass drumming and low tuning and so forth, but even some rock bands use those to great effect. Sometimes I’m not sure there’s a need for so much debate as to “where does this band fit”, especially ACDC, who’ve been around for longer than this whole silly genre debate. I do think – metal or not – they deserve a lot of credit for their influence on metal.

The “Kerry King” system is a very good idea :) I used to have an “alphabetical by second letter of a band’s name” system. Now I have “what the fuck ever” system, which isn’t as organised, but is easier to maintain :)

I read a book “how to play metal guitar” and it told me which chords were metal and which were not. I am too frightened without rules and things in order so I have decided that even though I wasn’t even born when metal was coined as a phrase and bands like ACDC who played what was then called metal, that I know more about it than anyone else.

I think it is important to categorise music, as is the spirit of metal. To limit and contain all experiences within clear boundaries. If we do not do this we may have to accept that labels are part of the problem and that free will and real fun can be had without them. And that would mean crazy stuff.

Like I could go to the bathroom without a written request.

Yours. Who knows metal.

Cell Block D

@bob dude! \m/