Album #83 : Deep Purple - In Rock

Deep Purple

In Rock (1970)

Over their 19 000 year career, Deep Purple have undergone 391 lineup changes, rarely keeping any one lineup for any longer than a few hours.

At least, that's the way it seems, even to a Purple fan like me. The actual statistics (46 years as a band, eight different lineups of which one particular outfit was returned to twice) are just a staggering without poor attempts at hyperbole. What's more amazing is that, like a cockroach after nuclear Armageddon, they just won't go away. 

In 1969, the Mark II lineup formed for the first time; this lineup would go on to be considered the 'classic' lineup despite being responsible for only seven of the band's 19 (to date) studio albums. Deep Purple In Rock was the first album with this lineup - bass player Roger Glover and vocalist Ian Gillan joined guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, drummer Ian Paice and keyboard player Jon Lord. With a new lineup came a dramatic shift in direction; increasing attempts to move the band to a harder, more aggressive sound took hold on this album.

Consequently, it is the first album that truly showcases Deep Purple as a proto-metal hard rock band.

The Album

Full of massive riffs, crazy instrumental sections and screaming, soaring vocals, In Rock is a driving heavy rock release. Some elements of the songs call to mind later metal sounds and techniques (more on that shortly.) All five members of the band display the technical prowess that had already seen them establish a reputation as a fearsome live band.

From the opening moments the tone is set, as Speed King kicks off with a frightfully unexpected guitar solo from Blackmore, before settling into a quiet Hammond organ intro; when the song gets going, it's a rough, rocking riff with stunning vocals from Gillan, where he gently introduces us to his outstanding scream. Lyrically, it is a massive homage to early rock and roll records. We also see, not for the last time in Purple history, a call-and-response solo section between Blackmore and Lord. Bloodsucker is another driving rock tune, though not quite as memorable as other tracks (though Gillan's final verse, 100% throat-destroying screaming, is a thing to behold). 

Child In Time is not only the best song on the album, it may well stand as the best song Purple have ever recorded. Beginning with a calm, almost serene organ solo, it segues into the first verse, which is a gentle Gillan singing over the top of more Hammond organ chords. As the drums enter properly, Gillan begins to warm up his vocal cords, finally ending in a spine-chillingly high crescendo (it's this song where Gillan's influence on metal vocalists like Eric Adams and Bruce Dickinson can clearly be seen). What then follows is sheer madness; firstly Blackmore plays one of the great guitar solos, especially when the song picks up in speed. Paice's drumwork is flamboyant and jaw-dropping, and Lord's organ provides the rhythm...until the close of the instrumental section, where he and Blackmore solo together at incredible speed.

And then....it returns to the serenity of the early minutes, working itself up again until the outro. My mere words do not do it justice; it simply must be heard.

Two songs on the 'second side' of the album are advertisements for the NWOBHM sound. Flight of the Rat, with its simple, yet heavy three-chord structure and Blackmore solo/riff, as well as extended guitar solo, is a precursor of the metal structure; while album closer Hard Lovin' Man features what would later become Iron Maiden's signature; a trademark galloping riff (it also features some keyboard work by Lord that is absolutely off-the-leash. At times it sounds like he has set fire to his Hammond organ, such are the otherworldly screams it emits.)

The remaining two tracks, Into the Fire and Living Wreck, are more heavy blues-rock in style. Both are decent cuts, there's no doubt. The former is somewhat slower in tempo, with a guitar solo to match, while the latter is a straight rock tune, with a really cool drum intro from Paice that gives way to a solid riff.

The Verdict

Deep Purple In Rock is a very good example of the early 70s British hard rock sound, with early hallmarks of metal spread on its seven tracks. It marked the arrival of Deep Purple as a force, and for that it is worth a listen, even if one or two subsequent albums exceeded it in quality.

Besides, it has Child In Time. That alone is worth several stars.

My rating: *** and a half

Standout Tracks

Child In Time

Hard Lovin' Man

Speed King

Coming up next: a post-punk debut from an underappreciated Australian group.