Good evening and happy summer solstice rockers, rollers, and craft brew aficionados! Tonight the Meista is pairing the legendary English hard rock band, Deep Purple and their latest album, "Now What?! (Deluxe Edition)" with a Rotator IPA: O'Ryely IPA from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company!
Is "Now What?!" of the same caliber as "In Rock" or Machine Head"? No, probably not... that was 40 years ago (if you can believe that!), but this is still heavy duty, well-structured, wonderfully executed hard rock and roll that stands on its own! (I thought I would put that out there right off because I get so sick of other reviewers always comparing DP's new stuff to their early work.) This is definitely Deep Purple! This deluxe edition of "Now What?!" includes a bonus track and a bonus DVD featuring interviews plus additional 3 tracks of audio material. On this album, drummer Ian Paice (the only constant member from day 1) drives a mean, precise, grooving beat throughout. Roger Glover provides his always solid, always rich, and always thunderous bass work. Steve Morse's guitar work is a sonic wall of tone! You hang on each note. Don Airey's keyboard work is awe inspiring... elements of symphonic, funk, prog rock, and metal dance on his finger tips! And the interplay between Morse and Airey is somewhat reminiscent of that of Blackmore and Lord, but fresh and definitely their own. (Damn! I just did a new to old comparison.) And of course, Ian Gillan's vocals are spot on... powerful, rich, and honest. Musically, "Now What?!" is free-flowing, richly textured, and thoughtful. Slightly slower than their last album ("Rapture Of The Deep"), "Now What?!" is a cohesive, groove machine. That isn't to say that these guys don't still rock. There are definitely very strong moments of heaviness and thunderous sound throughout! Songs like "A Simple Song," "Out Of Hand," "Hell To Pay," "Body Line," "Uncommon Man," "Aprez Vous," "Vincent Price," and "It'll Be Me" are all rockers that are such a joy to listen to... in fact every song on this album is a winner! "Now What?!" is solid, honest, rock... go buy it!!
The O'Ryely IPA is part of Widmer Brothers Brewing Company's Rotator IPA Series for 2013. It is brewed with Pale, Carapils, Caramel 10, Rye, and Caramel Rye malts, along with Alchemy, Nelson Sauvin (imported from New Zealand's South Island), and Galaxy hops. With the spiciness of a traditional rye coupled with the hoppy aggression of an American IPA, the O'Ryely IPA is the perfect compliment to the depth of character of "Now What?!" on a hot summer day. Generously hopped, this lovely rye IPA comes in at 50 IBUs and 6.4% ABV giving it some good kick while still remaining refreshing and drinkable. O'Ryely IPA pours a deep copper with a thin white head the displays fairly good streaming lacing. The nose offers a big floral and somewhat fruity hop aroma with notes of fresh grass, juniper berries, black pepper, and a neighborhood bakery. The flavor is "big, punchy," and peppery. There are notes of grapefruit, summer sweet grass, and peppery rye on the back end. The finish is dry and crisp with just the right amount of bitterness... perfect for an evening or rocking out with the Deep Purple boys!!
I picked up my copy of "Now What?! (Deluxe Edition)" from buddy Kevin down at the Heavy Metal Shop... and you should too!! Check out the Heavy Metal Shop at www.heavymetalshop.com or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheHeavyMetalShop?ref=ts&fref=ts! And check out the O'Ryely IPA and all the other great brews from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company at http://widmerbrothers.com/!
Prost!!
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