PURPENDICULAR feat. Ian Paice – Banned (2025) *HQ*
PURPENDICULAR is not only the name of the 15th album by the legendary rock band Deep Purple. It is also the name of a band that celebrates the 1970s rock phenomenon. Founded in 2007 as tribute band by Robby Thomas Walsh, the Irish / UK / Italian Classic Rock outfit evolved with original material and now is releasing their 4th album titled “Banned“.
PURPENDICULAR not only has been approved by Deep Purple, their drummer is none other than Deep Purple founding member Ian Paice.
The title “Banned” and the album’s concept were inspired by a dramatic fire that the band had to be rescued from while writing in the mountains of Portugal in 2024. The album also addresses themes of free speech and cultural sensitivity, in addition to telling the story of their rescue.
Musically, PURPENDICULAR excel on ”Banned” with every beat. They effortlessly bridge the gap between their roots as a DEEP PURPLE tribute band and their own creative signature. Of course, the songs employ stylistic devices that can be found in DEEP PURPLE. Ian Paice’s drumming in particular is instantly recognizable and lends the material on the album a sense of authenticity.
This is good, very good Classic Rock folks…
The verses of “Beats”, with their percussive use of the Hammond organ, are more than just vaguely reminiscent of “Ted The Mechanic” on PURPLE’s Purpendicular album. The chorus provides and lovely contrast and the slow middle part lets vocalist Robby Thomas Walsh showcase his excellent command of his head voice. This track alone shows the stellar songwriting that makes ”Banned” a great album.
It is almost impossible to single out highlights on this record, because the Irish-British-Italian five-piece put one great song after another.
Personal favorites are “Blood Red Moon” and the jazzy title track with its charming ’80s pop undertones, which showcases Paice’s signature drumming and has some lyrics that absolutely hit the nail on the head when it comes to the ubiquitous cancel culture. And for a moment you think it’s Steve Morse when guitarist Murray Gould kicks off the solo – just in sound set-up, as technically Gould is much more bluesier.
Another true gem is the concluding track “The End” – balladesque and atmospheric with a piano part that would do Don Airey justice with an incredibly groovy walking bass line.
PURPENDICULAR’s ”Banned” is a fantastic album that takes typical stylistic elements and characteristics from DEEP PURPLE’s music and transcends them into something entirely unique.
Alongside Ian Paice, each of the musicians involved plays in the top league. There’s not a dull moment on the album. PURPENDICULAR can only be congratulated on this, their best album to date (and better than current Deep Purple itself), which of course has to be played loud.
HIGHLY Recommended
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
Robby Thomas Walsh – vocals
Murray Gould – guitar
Alessandro Debiaggi – keyboards, Hammond B3
Mauricio Torchio – bass
Ian Paice – drums, percussion
BUY
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