Deep Purple Stormbringer: 35th Anniversary Edition CD

Stormbringer falls short of the excellence of Machine Head and Who Do We Think We Are, but nonetheless boasts some definite classics -- including the fiery "Lady Double Dealer," the ominous title song (a goth metal treasure), the sweaty "High Ball Shooter," and the melancholy ballad "Soldier of Fortune." Most of the other songs on the decent, if uneven, Stormbringer (which Metal Blade reissued on CD in the early '90s) are not essential. Like Come Taste the Band, Stormbringer will be of interest to Deep Purple's more enthusiastic fans, rather than casual listeners who would be much better off starting out with either of the above-mentioned studio projects or the live Made in Japan. ~ Alex Henderson

2009 special digitally remastered and expanded two disc (CD + PAL/Region 0 DVD) 35th anniversary edition of the veteran British Hard Rockers' 1974 album comes with a crisp new remaster, and a host of collectable extras. The CD features the original album remastered, plus a clutch of tracks remixed by Glenn Hughes at Abbey Road Studios especially for this release. The DVD contains the original Quad mix of the album presented in both 5.1 surround sound and stereo. Stormbringer was the ninth studio album by Deep Purple, originally released in November 1974. (and featuring the Mark 3 line-up of the band that included David Coverdale on vocals and Glenn Hughes on bass) this album, much more prominently featured the soul and funk elements that were only hinted at on previous album Burn. EMI.

Recorded at Musicland, Munich, Germany in August 1974.

Personnel: David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes (vocals); Ritchie Blackmore (guitar); Jon Lord (keyboards); Ian Paice (drums).

Audio Mixers: Gary Ladinsky; Gary Webb; Ian Paice; Martin Birch.

Deep Purple: David Coverdale (vocals); Ritchie Blackmore (guitar); Jon Lord (keyboards); Glenn Hughes (bass, vocals); Ian Paice (drums).

Kerrang (Magazine) (p.51) - "Compared to previous Deep Purple albums, 1974's STORMBRINGER struck out in a funkier and more soul-fueled direction..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.120) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here is a lot to applaud on the album's original nine tracks -- most notably the menacing title track, the Free-styled 'Holy Man' and 'The Gypsy,' with Blackmore in masterly form."
Record Collector (magazine) (p.92) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Tracks such as 'Hold On' showcase peerless performances by the two singers, Hughes' soaring Stevie Wonder-influenced vocals perfectly complimenting Coverdale's richer tones."