The musical innovations of the 1960s paved the way for many new genres, including punk, alt-rock, and ambient electronic music.
One genre that began to take shape during the later part of the decade, as rock music transitioned to a darker sound, was heavy metal.
While several bands contributed to this emerging sound, the three that laid the genre’s foundation were Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple.
These bands collectively understood that the light, optimistic music of the flower-power movement was fading, and that fans were craving something heavier, more atmospheric, and immersive.
The influence of artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Iron Butterfly, and Mountain played a significant role in this shift toward more intense sonic experiences, which mirrored the changing, often bleak, world of the late 1960s.
As the counterculture movement collapsed, the world was becoming grimmer, and rock music began to reflect this harsh new reality.
By the time the 1970s arrived, rock was primed for a heavier sound, embracing darker themes, sprawling fantasy elements, and even occult imagery.
Though music remained a form of escapism, it had transformed to match the evolving times.
Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple became the spiritual leaders of this metal movement.
Despite their unique sounds, they shared a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s work.
Deep Purple’s guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, has openly credited Led Zeppelin’s influence on his band, particularly on their groundbreaking 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock.
Even Jimmy Page, widely regarded as a master of live improvisation and soloing, acknowledged Blackmore’s exceptional talent in these areas, admitting that he “couldn’t touch” Blackmore’s skills on tracks like ‘Black Night.’
Black Sabbath stood apart from the other two in some ways.
Hailing from Birmingham instead of London, their sound was the heaviest, driven by Tony Iommi’s downtuned riffs and dark, occult-themed lyrics, especially on their first two albums in 1970.
Despite these differences, Iommi admired his metal counterparts. He expressed particular fondness for Deep Purple, especially Blackmore’s work.
In fact, Iommi’s favorite Deep Purple album is Deep Purple in Rock, which he sees as the band’s greatest contribution to metal.
In a 2024 interview with Classic Rock, Iommi praised the album’s powerful riffs, highlighting ‘Speed King’ as a prime example.
“I always liked Deep Purple, and my favorite album of theirs is In Rock,” Iommi said.
“It has one classic song after another. They always used to come up with great riffs, and Speed King is hard to beat.”
For Iommi, Deep Purple in Rock not only stands out for its riffs but also for how it showcases each member’s individual talents.
Tracks like ‘Speed King’ demonstrate the band’s cohesive strength, with vocalist Ian Gillan’s wails and keyboardist Jon Lord’s dynamic playing contributing to the album’s raw energy.
In Iommi’s eyes, the album captures Deep Purple at their peak, a band at the height of their powers, creating music that defines the essence of heavy metal.
