Part 6/9:
One of the key themes throughout Beato's analysis is the band's masterful use of rhythmic displacement. Across multiple songs—"Back in Black," "Highway to Hell," and "For Those About to Rock"—the guitar riffs and bass pedal tones often start on the upbeat, creating a tension that energizes the music. This subtle rhythmic misalignment gives AC/DC their signature "push and pull" feel, making their straightforward arrangements sound incredibly compelling.
In "Highway to Hell," for example, Beato shows how every guitar riff begins on an upbeat rather than the downbeat, as an intentional rhythmic choice. This technique, combined with the consistent quarter-note drum pattern, results in a groove that feels both simple and profoundly effective.