SECRET TREATIES

Secret Treaties (1974) definitely reminds me of the best of Deep Purple's early albums, with engaging riffs and diversity between the tracks. It's hard to believe this album was released just before the more pop rock Agents of Fortune (1976).

The first track, Career of Evil, is an excellent introduction to the album, allowing each instrument to shine. Through a catchy chorus and more virtuosic passages, the band creates a captivating dynamic that highlights the complementarity of the different members. Next comes Subhuman, with more restrained riffs, which serve as an excellent transition into one of the album's best tracks, Dominance and Submission. In this piece, you can truly feel the band's intensity. The song is evolving, speeding up, and features the voice of Eric Bloom, which is used almost like an instrument of its own. Then, ME 262 is a very fast track with little respite in terms of pace. I see an interesting connection with Highway Star, which relates to a frenzied car race, while ME 262 focuses on the intensity of a fighter jet in mid-battle. Cagey Cretins is certainly a change in style, with a more pop vocal approach and a very progressive sound. Then, we return to a more jagged and symphonic rhythm, even psychedelic, with Harvester of Eyes. It's worth noting that the title is as mysterious as the end of the track, which directly bridges into the superb Flaming Telepaths, featuring a great chorus and riffs that fill the entire musical space.

Finally, the masterpiece that is Astronomy. I'm one of those who first heard this track through Metallica's cover. Metallica's version succeeds in capturing the essence of the original while adding much more bite. It results in a solid version with a hint of progressive rock. As for the original, the balance between all the instruments is emphasized with a lot of subtlety, creating a mysterious atmosphere that perfectly sums up the complexity of the album. The crescendo in this track brings the album to a powerful conclusion. An excellent album, with no real low points, offering an interesting blend of riffs, solos, and, above all, an incredible voice from start to finish.

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