120/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

So what now? #DeepPurple or #BlackSabbath?

I love them both, and even though I think "Deep Purple in Rock" is the best album of their joint discography, I think would choose Sabbath if I had to. Luckily I don't have to and can enjoy both.

My biggest surprise on this journey?
Sabotage hit me more than I expected and I didn't expect the Tony Martin era to be this good.
I was also really blown away by Purple's "Now What ?!".

I discovered "Anya" which I never listened to before. I loved this song immediatelly.

What's left to say? Thanks for following me along 🤘

And with that, here's my combined album ranking:

119/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

With all 22 albums done, here is my final ranking of #DeepPurple studio albums:

1. Deep Purple in Rock 5/5
2. Infinite 4.5
3. Machine Head 4.5
4. Burn 4.5
5. Now What ?! 4.5
6. Perfect Strangers 4
7. Fireball 4
8. =1 4
9. Purpendicular 4
10. Whoosh! 4
11. The Battle Rages On… 4
12. Stormbringer 3.5
13. Deep Purple 3.5
14. Who Do We Think We Are 3.5
15. The House of Blue Light 3
16. The Book of Taliesyn 3
17. Rapture of the Deep 3
18. Bananas 2.5
19. Abandon 2.5
20. Come Taste The Band 2.5
21. Shades of Deep Purple 2.5
22. Slaves and Masters 2.5

118/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

It is bleeding obvious that Deep Purple is one of the most influential bands for hard rock and metal. 9 marks left some marks, Mark II left the deepest marks, Mark VIII left the most marks.

I genuinely hope that this isn't their farewell album, becase if this album shows one thing it's that: their fire is still burning strong!

=1 is a great album, 4/5.

🎵 Bleeding Obvious by #DeepPurple
💿 =1 (2024)
▶️ https://song.link/y/KT9bho6uj00

117/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

In case you lost count, we are now at Mark IX after Simon McBride replaced Steve Morse.

Ian Paice is the only band member who contributed to all Deep Purple albums.

🎵 Pictures of You by #DeepPurple
💿 =1 (2024)
▶️ https://song.link/y/KT9bho6uj00

116/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

Alright folks, this is it, the last album on this extra long Metaljourney.

Album number 22 for #DeepPurple and number 42 overall on this journey.

So Deep Purple, show me what you old lads got:

🎵 Show Me
💿 =1 (2024)
▶️ https://song.link/y/5fM1IFKyQk0

115/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

As I said, Whoosh! is another great album.
4 out of 5 stars.

Whoosh! is also the last Deep Purple in Mark VIII line-up as Steven Morse leaves the band in 2022.

One thing that I haven't mention yet: Bob Ezrin took over as producer with Now What?! and you can hear that. #DeepPurple only made great records ever since. No outliers.

🎵 Man Alive
💿 Whoosh! (2020)
▶️ https://song.link/y/L8Io_1WJ8WI

114/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

Ok heads up: Whoosh! will be the next absolutely great Deep Purple album and I am amazed by how good their late works are.

🎵 Drop the Weapon by #DeepPurple
💿 Whoosh! (2020)
▶️ https://song.link/y/tzEHQ6KKkdM

113/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

Like Now What?!, Infinite is a masterpiece level album.

I have only one complaint: I wish they hadn't cut off Birds of Prey so soon. I want to listen to this majestic guitar solo infinitely. I don't want it to end ever. This might be Steven Morse's best work ever and I thank him for that!

4.5 out of 5.

Also - SPOILER ALERT - I can already tell you that Infinite is my second favourite Deep Purple album.

🎵 Birds of Prey by #DeepPurple
💿 Infinite (2017)
▶️ https://song.link/y/-FkPxr7zJ6U

112/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

Similar to Sabbath's "13", #Infinite was a bit of a gate opener for me. I listened to it a lot when it was realeased, and I only explored Deep Purple's back catalogue afterwards.

So of course I am biased, but please, listen to this song and tell me it's not great 👇

🎵 The Surprising by #DeepPurple
💿 Infinite (2017)
▶️ https://song.link/y/EjYmy8dHYmE

111/ #DeepSabbath #Metaljourney

Alright alright alright. The #BlackSabbath part of my Metaljourney is done, but there are still 3 #DeepPurple albums left.

Next up is one of my favourites:

🎵 Time for Bedlam by Deep Purple
💿 Infinite (2017
▶️ https://song.link/y/T0YmYsU_rM8