Machine Head

Led Zeppelin 'IV', Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid', and Deep Purple's 'Machine Head' have stood the test of time as the Holy Trinity of English rock and heavy metal. They serve as the fundamental blueprint followed by virtually every heavy rock & roll band since the early '70s. Machine Head contains the "mother of all guitar riffs" -- and one of the first learned by every beginner guitarist -- in "Smoke on the Water." Inspired by real-life events in Montreux, Switzerland, where Deep Purple were recording the album when the Montreux Casino was burned to the ground during a Frank Zappa concert, neither the song, nor its timeless riff, should need any further description. However, 'Machine Head' was anything but a one-trick pony, introducing the bona fide classic opener "Highway Star," which epitomized all of Deep Purple's intensity and versatility while featuring perhaps the greatest soloing duel ever between guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and organist Jon Lord. Singer Ian Gillan was also on top form with amazing power and range throughout to establish himself as one of the finest rock voices of his generation. The spectacular "Space Truckin'" drove 'Machine Head' home with yet another tremendous Blackmore riff, providing a fitting conclusion to one of the essential rock albums of all time.

5 / 5 All Music Guide.