Deep Purple in Rockby Deep Purple

By the second half of 1969, things were getting serious for the band. It was time to show that the sacking of original singer Rod Evans and bassist Nick Simper was actually justified by real artistic motives. In Rock is above all the encounter of five incredibly talented and gifted musicians. The powerful crystal-clear vocals of Ian Gillan flying over the rough, agressive guitar from Ritchie Blackmore doubled with the monstruous storm delivered by Jon Lord's organ were the main components for an album that was about to mark the history of rock music. Roger Glover's recognized writing skills and Ian Paice solid drums pattern completed the alchemy. In Rock opens with pure power jamming (The Woffle) introducing the uncompromising riff of Speed King. From the very first second of the first track, you know what kind of thing you are dealing with and the joy is in you. The wonderful progressive Child in Time has established the reputation of the band for the next five decades and beyond. Flight of the Rat and Hard Lovin' Man deliver an energy that wasn't known before. To some extent, with its cheeky lyrics, In Rock paves the way to punk music as much as jazz-derived rock. The album remains a cornerstone in the building of rock music.