OK. Let me start this off by saying that as a bitchin' shreddin' guitar fan (as you should be if you're reading this), I was the FIRST one to say and believe that "there is NO Deep Purple without RITCHIE BLACKMORE." Thanks to their latest release Abandon, I can no longer say that. This CD just plain out ROCKS!! Furthermore, it's Ian Gillan's best vocal performance since "Perfect Strangers."

Deep Purple have managed to re-invent themselves (which they did a little too much in their previous release Purpendicular) without losing their classic, trademark sound. From the opener (and 1st single) "Any Fule Kno That" this record jumps out at you like a fist bashing your skull; the songs have a lot of fire behind them. Guitar Fans rejoice!! - the band has let that Guitar monster we call Steve Morse loose, and along with that comes some of the sweetest, fastest, most melodic picking I have heard in a long time. The band sounds tighter than ever and this record is full of jams and trade-offs between Morse and Maestro Jon Lord. Maestro Roger Glover and Maestro Ian Paice provide one hell of a backbone (as usual) with Paice's acoustic yet heavy drum sound being a constant reminder of how good these guys really are. Tracks like "Don't make me happy," "Seventh Heaven," "Jack Ruby," and the rippin' "Bludsucker"(Can't wait to hear this one LIVE --Morse goes sick!!!) provide the highlights, but it's during the brilliant "Fingers to the Bone" that we find Deep Purple at their best. Arguably the best track on the CD, this song provides a beautiful classical intro, Jon Lord on the classical piano and Ian Gillan providing one of his best performances ever.

Overall, Abandon is a MUST have even if you're not a Deep Purple fan. Hell, even if you're an Alterna-Geek, pick it up!! You may learn something. With Abandon, Deep Purple have proven that there's plenty of FIRE, LIFE and most of all fresh, new music left in them. Can't wait to see them on the road!!

-MetalGod

Be a House of Shred supporter! Click here to order Deep Purple's Abandon from