DEEP PURPLE IN ROCK

After three studio albums with the original line-up of the band (Blackmore, Lord, Paice, Evans and Simper), and a live album recorded with an orchestra and with new members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, the band finally found the right line-up to develop a heavier musical style. Their first four albums were more influenced by Lord`s Classical Music mixed with some Rock, Pop and Prog things. But by late 1969 and by 1970 they were ready to follow the musical style they liked the most, with a very good lead singer (Gillan) singing powerful vocals and also with his very characteristic "screams" that helped to develop a new musical style: Hard Rock / Heavy Metal. Other bands were starting to make similar music (URIAH HEEP, BLACK SABBATH, LED ZEPPELIN...), so one could really consider DEEP PURPLE with this album called "In Rock" as one of the pioneers of this new musical style called Heavy Metal . This album is full of heavy rhythms, heavy distorted guitars, distorted organ, energetic drums and very good riffs. Maybe the only somewhat "different" song is "Child in Time", with has a more "quiet" style in some parts, but it also has some impressive lead vocals and screams by Gillan. There are also some Prog Rock influences in some arrangements. But as a whole this album is very good, maybe one of the best from the band with also their "Machine Head" and "Made in Japan" albums. A very solid album despite not having a very good recording and mixing.