However, I think Astbury's vocal-style gave them a different vibe and also, they had their roots as a sort of goth-poseur band and I think that came through in their music as well; they didn't sound as "blue collar"/bar-rock as AC/DC but more in line with the pop-metal aesthetic even if they were a pure rock'n'roll band.

BTW, it's pretty obvious that Rubin lost interest in the Cult when he found Danzig who was more "evil" and badass while still having that AC/DC vibe; I always felt the first Danzig-album sounded very similar to the Cult, just more theatrical and dramatic. After that, Danzig got a bit more sludgy and heavy of course...