In Rock released in June 1970, marked a pivotal moment in Deep Purple's career. It was the fourth studio album by the British rock band but was crucially the first to showcase their new "Mark II" lineup, introducing a harder-edged sound that would significantly influence the development of heavy metal and hard rock. This album is widely regarded as Deep Purple’s bold step into the realm of hard rock, leaving behind the more progressive and orchestral elements that had characterised their earlier work.
The Band Members on *In Rock*
By 1970, Deep Purple had undergone several lineup changes, and *In Rock* was the first studio album to feature what many consider the band’s "classic" lineup, commonly known as "Mark II." The members were:
- **Ian Gillan** (vocals): Joining Deep Purple in 1969, Gillan brought a powerful and versatile voice, with his wide range, aggressive delivery, and high-pitched screams becoming key characteristics of the band’s new sound. His dynamic style was central to the raw, energetic feel of the album.
- **Ritchie Blackmore** (guitar): Blackmore’s innovative and aggressive guitar playing played a huge role in shaping the album’s hard rock direction. His blistering solos, technical proficiency, and signature riffs were integral to the new sound the band was exploring.
- **Roger Glover** (bass): Glover also joined the band with Ian Gillan, and his solid, rhythmic bass work provided a strong foundation for the group’s heavier, more energetic compositions. He was also heavily involved in the songwriting process.
- **Jon Lord** (keyboards): Although the band was moving towards a harder sound, Lord’s Hammond organ remained a vital component of Deep Purple’s sonic identity. His classical influences added a unique texture to the heavy rock framework, giving the album a rich, full sound.
- **Ian Paice** (drums): Paice’s powerful drumming was critical to the band’s harder sound. His ability to drive the band with precision and power cemented him as one of the best drummers in rock.
The tracks on *In Rock* demonstrate the band's transition towards a heavier, more aggressive sound. The album opens with "Speed King," which immediately sets the tone with its high-octane energy, ferocious guitar riffs, and Ian Gillan's intense vocal delivery. This track would become one of the quintessential examples of early heavy metal.
"Bloodsucker" follows with its heavy riffing and aggressive vocal style, while "Child in Time" is perhaps the most iconic track on the album. Spanning over 10 minutes, "Child in Time" is a slow-building epic that moves from a soft, mournful melody into a hard-hitting crescendo of powerful guitar solos and Gillan’s soaring screams. The song’s dynamics and intensity showcase the band’s ability to blend both light and heavy elements within a single composition.
Other notable tracks include "Flight of the Rat," which features one of the album’s most driving, relentless rhythms, and "Into the Fire," with its deep, rumbling basslines and gritty guitar riffs. "Living Wreck" presents a more offbeat, funkier approach, while "Hard Lovin’ Man" closes the album with another high-energy, riff-heavy performance that highlights the group’s musicianship and tightness.
Full track list:
Production and Personnel
The production of *In Rock* was handled by Deep Purple themselves, along with producer Martin Birch, who was instrumental in helping the band capture the raw, unpolished sound that would come to define the album. Birch, who later became a legendary producer for bands like Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath, had a keen understanding of how to balance the band’s desire for heaviness with clarity, allowing the individual instruments to shine without losing the aggressive edge of the music.
The album was recorded at De Lane Lea Studios and Abbey Road Studios in London between October 1969 and April 1970. The choice of studios played a role in shaping the album’s sound, as the band experimented with different recording techniques to capture the visceral energy of their live performances.
Album Cover Design and Designer
The cover art for *In Rock* is one of the most memorable in rock history. It features the five members of the band carved into a mountainside, styled after the famous Mount Rushmore monument in the United States. The idea was to symbolically represent Deep Purple as the "giants" of rock music. The cover was designed by the band’s management team, working with illustrator Nesbit, and the concept reinforced the monumental shift in Deep Purple’s musical direction. The imagery perfectly suited the powerful, larger-than-life sound of the album.
Musical Shift to Hard Rock
*In Rock* marked a radical departure from the more experimental, classical, and progressive rock elements that had defined Deep Purple's earlier works, particularly their first three albums. The band’s previous album, *Concerto for Group and Orchestra* (1969), had seen them collaborate with a full orchestra, which emphasized their classical influences. However, the members, especially Ritchie Blackmore, wanted to pursue a heavier, guitar-driven sound.
*In Rock* was the first manifestation of this shift, focusing on aggressive guitar riffs, fast tempos, and a generally raw, unrefined energy. This hard rock style would come to define Deep Purple’s sound for the rest of their career and establish them as one of the pioneers of heavy metal. The album’s louder, more abrasive approach positioned them alongside bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath in the emerging hard rock and heavy metal movement.
The Singles: “Speed King” and “Black Night”
Two of the most important tracks from the *In Rock* era are “Speed King” and “Black Night.” While "Speed King" was the album opener, "Black Night" was a non-album single released shortly after the album. "Speed King" was a high-energy anthem that highlighted the band’s new heavy sound, combining fast-paced guitar work with Gillan’s explosive vocals.
"Black Night" was released as a standalone single and became one of the band’s most successful songs, reaching No. 2 on the UK charts. The song’s simple, infectious riff, coupled with its bluesy feel and catchy chorus, made it a commercial hit. It also helped introduce the band to a wider audience and played a key role in solidifying their new hard rock identity.
Chart Performance and Critical Reception
*In Rock* was both a commercial and critical success. In the UK, the album reached No. 4 on the charts, signaling Deep Purple's rise to prominence in the rock world. The album was also well-received across Europe, particularly in Germany, where it charted even higher. In the US, while it didn’t achieve the same level of commercial success initially, *In Rock* would go on to become a classic, with its influence growing in the years following its release.
Critically, *In Rock* was praised for its raw energy, powerful musicianship, and its role in pushing the boundaries of rock music. It is often cited as one of the albums that helped lay the groundwork for the heavy metal genre. The band’s performances, particularly Ian Gillan’s vocals and Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar work, were universally lauded, and the album has since become a landmark release in rock history.
*In Rock* represents a critical turning point for Deep Purple and the rock genre as a whole. With its powerful riffs, aggressive vocals, and raw energy, the album laid the foundation for the emergence of hard rock and heavy metal in the 1970s. The band’s shift in musical direction, coupled with iconic tracks like “Speed King” and “Black Night,” helped establish Deep Purple as one of the pioneers of the heavy rock sound that would dominate the decade. The album’s success, both commercially and critically, solidified the band’s place in rock history and continues to influence musicians to this day.
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