Although a pop rock fan since the very beginning, I have been following the Australian band ACDC for some time and when I got a chance to pick this vinyl many years ago, I did not regret it as hard rock bands have always been a part of my musical upbringing. Adding this LP to my collection, I have pleasantly listened to and re-listened to this work full of energy, with the unparalleled virtuosity of Angus and the overwhelming voice of, never forgotten, Bon Scott. The whole band pays homage to rock and the blues.

With multiple band member changes, the lineup stabilized after the release of ‘Let There Be Rock’ with the Young brothers Angus and Malcolm, Phil Rudd on drums, Cliff Williams on bass guitar and Bon Scott on lead vocals. However seven months after the release of ‘Highway to Hell in 1979, Scott died of alcohol poisoning and he was replaced by English singer Brian Johnson. Their first album with Johnson was ‘Back in Block (1980) dedicated to Scott's memory. The album became the second best selling album of all time. ‘Let There Be Rock’ is the fourth studio album by the band and originally released through Albert productions label and then later through Atlantic Records. This album was the last AC/DC album to feature bassist Mark Evans.

AC/DC released plenty of good albums during the period, but ‘Let There Be Rock’ in 1977 was their first truly great long player, with the monster title track hitting over 6 minutes. Enthralling riff notes in tracks such as Overdose and Bad Boy Boogie, is top class. It is a surprise that the more explosive Let There Be Rock wasn’t the opener on the album and Go Down made it the opening album. On that note, Whole Lotta Rosie is one a hell of a finisher and a song I could find drumming to was pretty enjoyable.

For those who may not know, Malcolm and Angus developed the band's name after their sister Margaret pointed out the symbol "AC/DC" on the AC adaptor of her sewing machine. AC/DC is an abbreviation for alternating current / direct current electricity. The brothers felt that this name symbolised the band's raw energy and the power-driven performances of their music. It is pronounced one letter at a time, though the band are colloquially known as Acca Dacca in Australia. The AC/DC band name is stylised with a lightning bolt separating the AC from DC and has been used on all studio albums. 

This probably might be the most aggressive album they’ve ever put out with more active rhythms, brasher guitars, and their most feral vocals. All the same, while the 8 song ‘Let There Be Rock’ falls a bit short of being among AC/DC’s best works for me, it has more than enough energy to stand out.

If you want to rock, I’d recommend this album for those who grew up on bands like Led Zeppelin and Def Leppard.You can go ahead andblast this at full volume.

Released on; 21^st March 1977

Duration: 35 minutes

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira