Deep Purple – Machine Head

Review

Now this is an album that knows how to holler! "Machine Head," unleashed by Deep Purple back in 1972, shakes rock music's very foundation. Cut amidst the chaotic whirlwind in Montreux, Switzerland, this beast of an album found its way from the notorious blaze during Zappa's gig to the makeshift studio confines of the Grand Hotel. Blackmore's sizzling riffs, Gillan's roaring vocals, and the rest of the Mark II legends forged this classic, brimming with audacious energy and raw power befitting any gritty '70s rock epic. When life gives you a burnt-out casino, you record iconic tracks that incinerate expectations, right?

You crank open "Machine Head," and boy, are you smacked by "Highway Star," where guitar and keys duel like rock 'n' roll gladiators. Dive into "Smoke on the Water" – with a riff as instantly recognizable as a Zeppelin tune – puppet-mastering the scene of their compromised recording plans. Then there's the blues-soaked groove of "Lazy" that just hums with swagger. And who can ignore "Space Truckin’? It zips you to galaxies far out with riffs heftier than many a wannabe spaceship. This isn’t just musicians hammering away; it’s an electrifying soundtrack to fiery tales born of tribulation and genius. Deep Purple hit the mark with "Machine Head," and they hit it hard enough to leave sparks flying. Keep it spinning, and let it crackle through your speakers. Rock on! - Jude