“In Rock”(1970) by Deep Purple

Black Sabbath who?  Led Zeppelin who?  No my friends.  The Deep Purple is the first and the best heavy metal band in the world!  Maybe not, but 1970’s “In Rock” is perhaps the first true heavy metal album ever made.  There is no witchcraft or wizardry themes.  No black magic and voodoo.  No vikings.  Its just pure heavy rock and roll music at it’s best.  Blazing fast guitar solos, Ian Gillan’s higher then high vocals, an organ nicknamed “The Beast”, and a killer rhythm section to boot.

The opening sounds of “Speed King” set the mood right off the bat.  A wall of noisy fuzz, distorted guitar, and pretty organ introduces the song, which abruptly and suddenly cuts through the intro and delivers the heaviest riff on “In Rock”.  The cool part about this song, as with most of the tracks, is the solo section.  It becomes a jazzy organ/guitar duel.  A famous trademark of Deep Purple.  “Bloodsucker” is a fantastically produced number that Gillan shines on, as is the first and best power ballad “Child In Time”. 

“Child In Time” is also the Deep Purples big anti-war number.  It isn’t an in-your-face anti-war song but the lyrics are pretty obvious.  Also, the walk up at the end with Gillian literally screaming and moaning out the terror and horror of war.  It could easily come off as contrived but doesn’t.  The solo in the middle is breath talking.  Richie truly reaches new heights of technicality and confidence that we have not seen before and won’t see again.  Not even “Highway Star” can beat this solo.  It’s a nearly two and a half minutes long and never looses your attention.  It builds and builds and builds until they break back into one more verse.

“Flight Of The Rat” is a catchy but simple pop number.  Still disguised in heavy metal to say the least.  Gillan’s vocals are a bit in the back ground sometimes but it still works.  “Into The Fire” and “Living Wreck” are a bit boring.  And the former sounds way to similar to “No No No” from their next album(not that this song gets points off but still).  Lastly, is “Hard Lovin’ Man” features the first “speed riffing” I’ve ever heard up to this point.  Remember folks this is 1970!  Flower power is just getting done with and people had never heard this type of stuff.

The album artwork is the best Deep Purple cover.  It’s great stuff, with the bands faces carved in the rock of Mount Rushmore.  Would the Deep Purple eventually top this record?  Yes, but in the sense of purity and focus “In Rock” has no equal.

Best Song: Child In Time
Album Rating: 8/10