Deep Purple: =1 review: The world’s loudest rock band blasts back, writes ADRIAN THRILLS…

Review of Deep Purple: =1: The loudest rock band in the world returns, says ADRIAN THRILLS

Deep Purple was at the center of the seismic shift in pop music at the beginning of the 1970s, as it began to lean towards heavier, more amplified styles.

They truly epitomized British rock, and in 1975 the Guinness Book of Records declared them to be the loudest band in the world, alongside their two legendary peers, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

However, the London group was always about more than just that deafening loudness. They performed with intensity and speed, singing songs about mysterious women and fast cars (Fireball and Highway Star), but they also included jazz and orchestral compositions in their repertoire.

A classic blues riff served as the basis for their most well-known song, Smoke On The Water, which was inspired by a casino fire on Lake Geneva.

The title of the new album =1, “equals one,” borrows a mathematical symbol from Ed Sheeran and features both of these extremes.

The album, which is the group’s 23rd, plays to their established strengths by fusing progressive rock diversions with sensitive moments and strong hooks. There’s still plenty to like, but fans hoping for them to make history should turn away.

There are three players who remain from the legendary “Mark II” lineup from the 1970s. Ian Gillan is the key player in this rhythm section, which is led by drummer Ian Paice and bassist Roger Glover.

Even though Gillan’s four-octave range has diminished at the age of 78, he still has a passion for telling stories and sings in a lower register instead of attempting to hit the high notes with the aid of studio tricks.