To release 20 albums is a very rare thing indeed for a band. Most artists’ song writing abilities seem to dry up after several decades, and resort to a stream of multiple cover albums. Deep Purple are the exception to the rule. They have been going since the late ’60s and still perform on stage to their absolute best. Now, the band have added 10 tracks in the form of inFinite to their distinguished live show.

For a band that has spanned five impressive decades, it would be easy to assume that the band have ran out of steam. But inFinite proves that they still have so much more to give. The opening robotic sounds of “Time For Bedlam” gives an initial promise of an experience rather than a selection of cut and paste tracks. And throughout, Ian Gillan’s vocals still sound youthful and as charismatic as ever.

Steve Morse’s guitar work on this album is proof of why the band are still making great music. From the haunted pounding of “Birds Of Prey” to the upbeat “Johnny’s Band”, Morse treats us to strong bluesy guitar sounds and his signature solos. Keyboardist Don Airy’s fingering tie the album together with his spaghetti style solos and riffs. Even more so in the jazzed up “One Night In Vegas” which proves the band aren’t slowing down any time soon.

“The Surprising” is strolling road trip through the progressive land with surprising eerie hooks and minor plucks from Morse. Here, we find out why the band are as successful as they are. After the success 2013’s Now What?!, Deep Purple have brought back producer Bob Ezrin once again- and what a great decision. Ezrin has improved upon the last record and tied the album together in such a way that it gives us the full Deep Purple experience in modern times.

“You can bury me up to my knees in shit,” sings Gillan on “Hip Boots”- a song that could have been penned by a much younger Gillan. Every word rolls out of his mouth in the same way they did on Machine Head. Roger Glover and Ian Paice provide that much needed rhythm throughout inFinite and impeccably well.

The record ends on “Roadhouse Blues” where they round off with a bluesy story advertising each of the band member’s craft. inFinite feels like it was pulled straight out of the ’70s but sounds like it was modernly produced. Deep Purple are ageing, but their music certainly is not.

Deep Purple’s inFinite is available on Amazon.