AC/DC

AC/DC are well known as one of the world's biggest and most influential hard rock bands. They may not be a metal band, but they have contributed massively to the genre. The band was formed in 1973 in Melbourne, Australia by brothers Angus (lead guitar) and Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar/backing vocals). After undergoing several line-up changes, they finally settled with Phil Rudd (drums), Mark Evans (bass/backing vocals) and Bon Scott (lead vocals). They enjoyed a healthy run of success for 7 years until the band was struck by tragedy when in 1980, Scott, after a night drinking with his friends, died. The band decided to move on and recruited new vocalist, Brian Johnson to record a new album: Back In Black. The bands sound heavily focuses on power chords and simple moderate tempo beats. They have rarely ever strayed from the "intro - verse - chorus - verse - chorus - bridge - chorus" formula and their lyrical themes are always about one of four things: fucking, rocking, drinking or fighting. Their style of playing has never changed since their debut, except the differing vocal styles. AC/DC have contributed massively to rock and metal and many high profile bands cite them as major influences.

Recommended Works
They've never made a bad album, but a few I'd recommend would be:

Back In Black: The no-brainer. This was the first album to feature Brian Johnson on vocals and was made as a tribute to the late Bon Scott. It sold incredibly well, eventually becoming the second biggest selling album ever, topped only by Michael Jackson's "Thriller", making it the biggest selling rock album of all time. It's easily AC/DC's most well-known and for good reason. There's not one boring song on this, and it includes many fan favourites.

Highway To Hell: Again, one of their most well-known albums. This one was the last album Bon Scott recorded with the band and remains one of my favourite albums ever made. The title track is often said to be their greatest song, and is always played in encores at live shows, often as a tribute to Bon.

High Voltage: This was their debut album, featuring many songs that have become well-known rock anthems and setting the tone for the long career ahead of them.

Let There Be Rock: The title track is one of the best rock songs ever written, no question, and on the first listen, Whole Lotta Rosie is, quite frankly, hilarious.

Current Members
Brian Johnson - lead vocals
Angus Young - lead guitar
Malcolm Young - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Cliff Williams - bass guitar, backing vocals
Phil Rudd - drums

Former Members
Dave Evans - lead vocals
Bon Scott - lead vocals
Mark Evans - bass guitar, backing vocals
Simon Wright - drums
Chris Slade - drums

Essential Tracks
Back In Black
Highway To Hell
Thunderstruck
Whole Lotta Rosie
TNT

Links
Wikipedia
Last.fm