Deep Purple in Rock

Deep Purple in Rock (1970) marks the arrival of the Mark II lineup and a decisive shift toward a heavier, riff-driven sound that helped define hard rock and early heavy metal. The album pairs aggressive, guitar-led tracks with prominent Hammond organ and dynamic, high-register vocals, ranging from concise rockers like Speed King to the extended, dramatic centerpiece Child in Time. Its raw power, muscular arrangements, and emphasis on lengthy instrumental passages established a template the band and peers would develop further in the 1970s.