DEEP PURPLE is back once again! “Rapture of the Deep” is an album of deserving praise! As soon as this album came out, I ran to the store picked it up, and I advise you all to do the same. This album is by far the heaviest from the catalogue featuring MK8 lineup.

The album kicks off with “Money Talks,” a heavy bluesy song about the past of DEEP PURPLE, or possibly more with Ian Gillian. Throughout the album, the band really sounds like they’re jamming and just having fun. Michael Bradford was a superb choice for a producer since he highlights each member’s instruments. A stand out track is “Rapture of the Deep” which has a major influence from the “Perfect Strangers” album with the keyboard intro. From that, we are introduced to the only ballad “Clearly Quite Absurd” and, to me, the best of 2005. Really one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

The next stand out track is “Back to Back,” which is the heaviest song on the album with some furious riffs, and sometimes-comical lyrics. “MTV” is of course self-explanatory, a song about how MTV sucks, which I think everyone who likes DEEP PURPLE would agree. The last track on the album, “Before Time Begin,” screams SPINAL TAP because of the intro. I think if this song is played live, they should take out a big ol’ Stonehenge on stage. :) The rest of the song is fantastic, with a great solo and furious screams from Ian Gillian.

The band is portrayed perfectly on the album. Ian Gillian screams on almost every song, which is great because he didn’t on Bananas. Steve Morse still holds his spot in the band with this album by playing his own style instead of copying Ritchie Blackmore. The rest of the guys, although they come out clear on the album, are not spotlighted. I’m still itching for a bass solo from Roger Glover like on MACHINE HEAD’s “Pictures of Home.”

This album is a definite buy for any DEEP PURPLE fan because I honestly think that it could be place in their discography between “IN ROCK” and “MACHINE HEAD.”