STORMBRINGER

Burn had been a rebirth for the band after the lacklustre Who Do We Think We Are album. Apart from the previous Who Do We Think We Are album, Burn was the first Deep Purple album that was properly recorded and produced. Stormbringer continues that tradition. Burn has also been the first Deep Purple album to include synthesisers. Again, Stormbringer continues that tradition. Unfortunately, these improvements in instrumentation and production coincided with them going in more of straightforward blues rock on the majority of the tracks. Yet again, Stormbringer continues that tradition. Indeed, it is hard to think of something that differentiates Stormbringer from Burn except that there is no counterpart to the interesting instrumental A200. Instead we get an acoustic ballad called Soldier of Fortune, complete with keyboard orchestration. This is easily the best song on this album. (A side note. Ritchie still plays this song live in Blackmore's Night. Candice, his wife, sings it beautifully).

Burn had started with a great song of the same name. Stormbringer starts in the same way, though the song is not as good as Burn, but not bad. Just like on Burn, the following songs are far worse and are far away from prog. Both albums are somewhat fun to listen to, but they are not memorable and have nothing to do with prog.

Stormbringer is basically a Xerox of Burn and deserves for that reason alone a lower rating. But if you love Burn, Stormbringer is essential. For the rest of us, it is enough with one of these albums and I would go for Burn, though it is not much difference between them in quality. Ritchie would go on to greater things in Rainbow after this album.

Stormbringer is certainly not the place to start for prog fans who want to explore Deep Purple. You should start with Fireball, then the self-titled album from 1969, and after that, the live album Made In Japan or a more recent live DVD of your choice. First after that you should check out In Rock and Machine Head. And if you still want more after that then Burn is a better choice than Stormbringer.

The beautiful Soldier of Fortune could not save this album from a mere two star rating.