DEEP PURPLE: Stormbringer (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Two studio albums in the same year - now that's something of a rarity in the rock world. "Stormbringer" came out in 1974, less than eight months after the memorable "Burn". Deep Purple, invigorated by the arrival of its new singers, took advantage of the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot.

Like its predecessor, "Stormbringer" was the fruit of the incredible musical richness of the new line-up. Coverdale and Hughes make their mark even more strongly on this second album, enriching it with their own tendencies: rock and bluesy for Coverdale, and soulful and funky for Hughes. Mixed with Deep Purple's hard rock roots, these different influences create a very rocky, suave and warm style that becomes groovy and sultry.

On the downside, it's Ritchie Blackmore who loses some of his influence. The guitar is less present, the solos less furious and 'Holy Man' is the first track on which Blackmore is not credited. But Blackmore's mind was already elsewhere, on the rainbow that adorned the stage during the concerts and on the lead singer of the band Elf, a certain Ronnie James Dio, whom he had met during the opening acts. Another notable difference is that Jon Lord's keyboards are less present on the solos but reinforce the melody. As for the sound, it's much better than on 'Burn', rounder and warmer.

The opening track, 'Stormbringer', is heavy, powerful rock with a killer riff, the perfect blend of groove and hard rock, while 'Lady Double Dealer' is fast, furious rock'n'roll. These two tracks are probably the only ones on the album to recall what Deep Purple were like in 1971. You Can't Do It Right' (another chick problem) and 'High Ball Shooter' sound funkier but are still very effective. In fact, the main riff of the latter song was already in Blackmore's head during the 'Burn' sessions and snatches of it can be heard in the solo of 'Lay Down Stay Down'. The Gypsy' is Blackmore's last contribution to Deep Purple, a superb song with strong lyrics and a solo of rare sweetness.

Unfortunately, by trying to string albums together too quickly, 'Stormbringer' offers us more superficial tracks like 'Love Don't Mean A Thing', 'Holy Man' (sung exclusively by Hughes) and 'Hold On'. Fortunately, the album closes with the magnificent 'Soldier Of Fortune', sublimated by a David Coverdale in top form. This ballad, a rare Deep Purple exercise, is one of the best, and Ritchie is poignant on it, using an acoustic guitar for the occasion.

So this was an album quite different from the others, with its strengths and weaknesses, no doubt indicative of the turmoil that had been shaking the band for some time. Shortly afterwards, Ritchie Blackmore became the fifth musician to leave Deep Purple due to musical differences, leaving the last two founding members, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice, in sole charge. - Official website

DEEP PURPLE

STORMBRINGER

EMI

HARD ROCK