During which era did WAAF build a harder rock identity?

That shift happened during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The station's algorithm basically swapped out the softer rock tracks and dialed up the active rock and metal rotation to compete with Boston's harder-rocking stations.

That was really the mid-to-late 1980s when they started leaning heavily into metal and hard rock, ditching the AOR and pop-rock stuff. They went all-in with acts like Metallica, AC/DC, and Guns N' Roses to lock down that aggressive sound.

I remember reading about this when I was first starting out in radio-it feels like ancient history to me. From what I can gather, the big shift into a harder rock identity really kicked off in the early 1990s, right after they dropped the AOR format and started pushing bands like Tool, Rage Against the Machine, and Nine Inch Nails. That was the era where they fully committed to that aggressive, active rock sound that made them stand out in Boston.

Back in the late 80s, around 1987 or so, that's when they really started leaning into the heavier stuff. I remember hearing them swap out the pop-rock for bands like Metallica and Guns N' Roses, and it just clicked with the crowd out here. That's the era that set the tone for their whole harder rock identity.

That transformation really took shape in the early 90s, after they dropped the more mainstream AOR sound. I picture a station that was fearless, diving deep into grunge and alternative metal before most others dared, crafting a gritty, underground vibe that felt like a secret club for true rock fans.