Is Stormbringer a good place to start with Deep Purple?

Yes, Stormbringer is recommended as a starting point for new Deep Purple listeners. A blend of hard rock and soul, infused with funk rhythms and contemplative lyrics that explore themes of love and loss. Released on December 10, 1974, 'Stormbringer' was Deep Purple's ninth studio album and marked a significant shift in their sound. Following the departure of singer Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover after 'Who Do We Think We Are', this album introduced new vocalist David Coverdale and further embraced soulful elements alongside their trademark hard rock.

Who is Stormbringer for?

Stormbringer works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, dynamic emotional journeys and short, engaging listening sessions.

How many songs are on Stormbringer?

Stormbringer has 9 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Stormbringer

Deep Purple · 1974

36 min · 9 tracks · hard rock

A blend of hard rock and soul, infused with funk rhythms and contemplative lyrics that explore themes of love and loss.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Stormbringer Start here — The title track opens the album with a powerful fusion of bluesy riffs and emotional vocals, setting the tone for the band's new direction.
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Holy Man — A poignant ballad featuring David Coverdale's soulful delivery, it showcases the band's ability to merge hard rock intensity with introspective lyricism.
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Soldier of Fortune — This track stands out as a reflective acoustic piece, highlighting a softer side of Deep Purple while exploring themes of regret and longing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases varied tempos and soulful elements but lacks strong cohesion in its overall flow.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate soulful backing vocals and harmonies, particularly evident in 'Holy Man' and 'Love Don’t Mean a Thing'.
The tempo varies significantly across the nine tracks, with songs like 'High Ball Shooter' maintaining a fast pace while others like 'Soldier of Fortune' slow down to create contrast.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
dynamic emotional journeys
short, engaging listening sessions
contemplative late-night vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked a transition in sound and lineup, contributing to Deep Purple's evolving reputation.
Themes: southern rock influence· bluesy soul ballads· post-Gillan transition
Moods: Energetic· Introspective
Career context: Released on December 10, 1974, 'Stormbringer' was Deep Purple's ninth studio album and marked a significant shift in their sound. Following the departure of singer Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover after 'Who Do We Think We Are', this album introduced new vocalist David Coverdale and further embraced soulful elements alongside their trademark hard rock.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Black Sabbath· Rainbow