Timeless rock legends - A review of Deep Purple's A Fire in the Sky

Deep Purple is undoubtedly one of the very best, most influential and most referenced rock bands in the history of music. However, the group has released so many different studio records that it's tough to find a place to start. This is why the release of this three-disc greatest hits compilation featuring forty songs and a running time of over three hours and twenty minutes is a welcome occasion to discover the band's greatest hits, forgotten pearls and fan favorites all at once. This release covers the group's first forty-five years of existence, starting with the dynamic, eerie and heavy Billie Joe Royal cover ''Hush'' released back in 1968 and concluding with the old-fashioned but powerful, playful and entertaining ''Hell to Pay'' taken from the band's acclaimed 2013 studio record Now What?!, the band's nineteenth studio album despite an eight-year long hiatus and numerous lineup changes.

The release progresses in anti-chronological order, starting with songs like the eerie ''Vincent Price'' with its great keyboard work, the quite dynamic and rhythmic ''Wrong Man'' or the calm, intellectual and progressive ''Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming'' on the first disc.

The second disc covers the middle years, including highlights like the sad ballad ''Soldier of Fortune'', the highly diversified hard rock milestone ''Mistreated'' or the heavy ''Soace Truckin''' that had an important influence on early heavy metal bands.

The third disc focuses on the timeless classics from the early years such as the atmospheric, epic and playful ''Child in Time'' that never gets boring despite an incredible length beyond ten minutes, the concise ''Black Night'' that is heavy yet progressive, simple yet complex, aggressive yet danceable and the wonderfully playful and often overlooked instrumental ''Wring that Neck (aka "Hard Road")'' that is much more interesting than most rock songs with vocals I know.

Some fans might obviously argue that some choices for the set list of this record are debatable but A Fire in the Sky undoubtedly represents everything legendary rock band Deep Purple has stood for, still stands for and will always stand for.

If you are a rock or metal enthusiast who only owns a few or even no Deep Purple records so far, A Fire in the Sky is an excellent addition to your collection. It offers value for money with nearly three hours and a half of gripping entertainment and an extensive booklet. A Fire in the Sky is an epic testament to Deep Purple's timeless status as rock legends.

Final rating: 90%