Due to the departure of charismatic frontman 'Ian Gillan' and bassist 'Roger Glover', vocalist 'David Coverdale' and bass player / vocalist 'Glenn Hughes' were brought in, together sharing the vocal duties. This is a partnership that works admirably well, as both singers have excellent voices. A heavier and stronger release, that easily betters their last album with 'Ian Gillan', 'Who Do We Think We Are', with its sharper song writing and better arrangements.

The opening title track is not only one of the album's finest tracks, its also one of 'Deep Purple's' best. A real mesmerising, grooving rocker, reminiscent of earlier classics with 'Ritchie Blackmore', showing why he was one of the best guitarists of the time and some superb steadfast drumming from 'Ian Paice'. Classic 'Jon Lord' kicks of 'Might Just take your Life', a solid plodder with the duel vocalist really hitting the notes. 'Lay Down, Stay Down' is a strong 70's groove fest, with a sweet guitar solo and an overall feel of later 'Whitesnake'. 'Sail Away' is an overlooked 'Purple' classic, that's brilliantly written and just features an absolutely mesmerising chug throughout, the trading of lyrics between 'Coverdale' and 'Hughes' is also most effective. The pace is stepped up for 'You Fool no One' a quick fire rocker, with 'Blackmore' and 'Paice' again shinning strong. 'What's goin' On' could quite easily be from 'Whitesnake's' 'Ready and Willing' album, not one of the strongest tracks, but the pulsing rhythm is enticing. 'Mistreated' is another jewel, this one is sung by 'Coverdale' only and is still a live favourite today but performed by 'Dio' from his days with 'Blackmore' and 'Rainbow'. Personally I prefer to hear Dio thunder through it, but full respect to 'Purple', they execute it with perfection. The album closes with an instrumental, '"A" 200', the electronic intro is a bit quirky, but it builds nicely into a mystical brooding stable- sounds a bit dated, but I kind of like it.

Unfortunately 'Deep Purple' would fail to capitalise on this excellent release and the next two albums would experiment with a blues heavy 'Hard Rock' style that would later be taken a step further by 'David Coverdale's' 'Whitesnake'. Fans of 70's 'Hard Rock' should check out this gem.