Deep Purple
Rapture Of The Deep

October 2006
Released: 2005, Edel Records/Playground Music
Rating: 1.5/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

I have never followed the legendary Deep Purple very closely during their 30 years in the business. I have heard a few albums by them, especially the ones from the late 70’s and early 80’s. I don’t think I have to mention the famous members that have come and gone throughout the years, so let’s focus on RAPTURE OF THE DEEP.



They’re now about to follow up 2003’s BANANAS, an album that made no one happy. Hardrock can no longer be mentioned in the same sentence as Deep Purple, and Don Airey hasn’t got the same capacity on the Hammond Organ as Jon Lord did.



I can only say that Deep Purple sound tired, weak, and boring at this point, and this 60-minute album is way too long. To my surprise, I do find a couple of pretty good songs after a lot of listenings; those are “Girls Like That”, “Back To Back”, “Wrong Man”, and “Junkyard Blues”. At the end of the day, this is an album for older gentlemen with grey hair that think they personify the expression “rock ’n roll”.



The production is standard, but still OK, and Ian Gillan’s voice is buried deep down in the mix. He’s not like Dio or Lemmy, whose voices have stayed intact throughout the years. Personally, I think it’s time for Mr. Gillan to lay off the singing.



I think this album is only appealing to the true hardcore fans of the once-great Deep Purple. Instead of listening to the sad remnants of a band, listen to their albums from the 70’s through the mid-80’s.





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