FIREBALL

'Fireball' is one of the albums that sometimes get neglected because of the year they were released in or because of the albums that come before and/or after. I think the latter is the case of this unbelievable release. Bracketed by what could be considered the two most iconic Deep Purple albums, 'Fireball' might have been slightly overlooked throughout the years and this has helped me love it even more.

This is just the second album with newcomers Gillan and Glover on vocals and bass respectively, and stylistically it does not differ too much from its hard-rocking predecessor 'In Rock'. The band is obviously having a lot of fun on this LP, yet they are still trying new sounds and techniques, which surely makes this a milestone of 70s hard rock (and proto-heavy metal).

But does this album prog? I'd say to an extent. If it does, this definitely happens on side two. And let me reverse the order in which I mention the album's contents. With just three bombastic experimental hard rock epics, this is one of the strongest album sides that can be found in all of the band's history. Because when you have the almost psych-rock tune 'The Mule', the memorable and solid 'Fools', and the funky and hard-hitting 'No One Came' with its enduring chorus, you can do no wrong.

Respectively, side one is not a tint worse - the title track is one of the most recognizable DP songs ever, 'No No No' is interesting and a bit unexpected but another great song in the band's catalogue, 'Demon's Eye' is iconic, and 'Anyone's Daughter' is... just fun. (Although some of the band members consider it a mistake, and it really sounds a bit off, it is not a terrible song by any means)

Probably not a masterpiece in the context of the site but an absolute crowning achievement of hard rock, and I will stick with this feeling I have for 'Fireball'. There is not a single weak track here and moreover, this album captures perfectly everything that Deep Purple stand for - big, heavy, memorable riffs and melodies, masterful playing from every instrumentalist, uncommon and intriguing songwriting, and above all, a grandiose enjoyment that comes along with experiencing these guys' music.