Review: Purpendicular Feat. Ian Paice – Banned
Purpendicular Feat. Ian Paice – Banned
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Metalville
Release: 2025
Text: Martien Koolen
Purpendicular, which is the title of Deep Purple’s 15th studio album, is also a band, which celebrates that rock phenomenon of the seventies. This cover band was founded in 2007 by Robby Thomas Walsh and on this new, their fourth, ‘Purpendicular’ album, called ‘Banned’ the notorious, impressive drummer Ian Paice played the drums.
‘Banned’ features nine tracks and right from the first note you know where these guys get their inspiration from, as this album is steeped in the blues rock tradition, paying direct homage to the golden years of the iconic Deep Purple. The music of Purpendicular features classic hard rock and the signature sound of the Hammond organ, while Ian Paice’s drumming on this album adds another musical level, seeing the fact that his drumming is as vibrant as ever, dynamic, refreshing, and to be honest he “saves” this album from being mediocre.
Songs like Inferno, Beast (a rather dark song), You Better Behave (a true homage to Deep Purple indeed) and Too Hard To Please are true classic rock tracks, although ‘Purpendicular’ is not as heavy as their inspiration band. Best song is probably the final one, called The End, an emotional milestone, featuring that well-known Hammond driven, bluesy hard rock sound for 100%. Unfortunately, singer Robby Thomas Walsh does an unbelievably bad imitation of Ian Gillan indeed, as his phrasing and vocal range are a million miles away from the original Deep Purple vocalist. That said, ‘Banned’ is still an exciting album that will certainly delight lovers of classic hard rock, and of course Ian Paice’s drumming makes this album worth buying. Play it LOUD.
Listening tip: The End
Tracks:
01. Inferno
02. Beast
03. The Escape
04. Blood Red Moon
05. You Better Behave
06. Banned
07. Too Hard To PLease
08. Seventies Kid
09. The End
Line-up:
Robby Thomas Walsh (Ireland) – vocals (Roger Glover, Tony Carey, Joe Lynn Turner)
Ian Paice (UK) – drums (Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Gary Moore)
Murray Gould (UK) – guitars (Eric Clapton, Elton John, Joe Bonomassa)
Alessandro Debiaggi (Italy) – keyboards (has toured with Ian Paice Purpendicular since 2022)
Mauricio Torchio (Italy) – bass (has toured with Ian Paice Purpendicular since 2022, here replacing the unavailable Nick Fyffe)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/PDWorldwide