DEEP PURPLE IN ROCK

It's no coincidence that with the arrival of Ian Gillan came the arrival of DEEP PURPLE. Ian's throaty vocals would fit perfectly with the new heavy sound that Blackmore decided the band should have.They were following in the heavy path that LED ZEPPELIN blazed in the late sixties.

"Speed King" opens with lower toned guitar and vocals coming out hard and heavy right from the get go.The organ/guitar interplay is pretty cool. "Bloodsucker" has some melodic guitar and Gillan sceaming away. There are some good guitar and organ solos, and the vocal melody to end the song is great. "Child In Time" is a classic DEEP PURPLE song, perhaps their best. The first 3 minutes are very atmospheric then things start to intensify as drums pound away and Blackmore lets a guitar solo fly. The rhythm starts to gallop and Blackmore's solo is on fire. 6 minutes in Ian is just letting it rip on vocals.

"Flight Of The Rat" is my second favourite song after "Child In Time".This one is all about Blackmore. The guitar solos are scathing and amazing ! The song ends with a drum solo. The next two songs are the weakest in my opinion. "Into The Fire" is heavy on the bass to open.The vocals are quite rough as well. "Living Wreck" features some good drum and organ work. "Hard Lovin' Man" has some amazing vocals and a great organ solo. And check out the raw guitar solo 6 minutes in.

DEEP PURPLE fans will argue to the end of time which album is better, "In Rock" or "Machine Head", but let's face it they're both amazing !