DEEP PURPLE IN ROCK

This is Deep Purple in their finest hour: their breakthrough record. It's still almost as rough as their prime influence, Vanilla Fudge. The chaotic out-of-control church organ intro sets clear this is psychedelic influenced hard rock. Also the famous "Child in time" ends with chaos and panic. These are great moments.

While there is in essence nothing new in this Deep Purple in Rock as their sound is very much like Vanilla Fudge's Renaissance and the intro of the all-time hit "Child in time" is a downright copy of a song of "It's a beautiful day" this is great record. This is Deep Purple's second effort with these band members (the first is a live record with the Philharmonic Orchestra) and Deep Purple is bursting out of energy. The interaction of Ritchie Blackmore on guitar and John Lord is awsome and Ian Gillan is one of the greatest vocalists of all time and on this record he sounds exceptional good.

The record is filled with great songs like "Flight of the Rat" and "Hard Lovin' Man". Some of the songs are not that great, but the album certainly amuses me. This is essential Deep Purple and a nice addition to a prog collection, although the progressive part is limited to some chaotic parts and excellent instrumental handling.