Deep Purple Release Remixed Single "Clearly Quite Absurd" Featuring Previously Unheard Instrumental Take of "MTV"

As part of the upcoming Rapture of the Deep — 20th Anniversary Remix,Deep Purple release a new single: a newly mixed and remastered version of "Clearly Quite Absurd," backed with a previously unreleased instrumental studio rehearsal take of "MTV."

Listen to the remixed "Clearly Quite Absurd" here. 

Roger Glover today recalls, "'Clearly Quite Absurd' is a very unusual Deep Purple song, which I like. We've always liked being unusual. We don
t follow traditions, really. We are just who we are at a specific time."

The single's B-side, "MTV (2005 Studio Jam)," is a previously unheard instrumental take from an early rehearsal session — with Don Airey, Steve Morse, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice running through a track that later appeared as a bonus on select editions of Rapture of the Deep.

The single is a preview of the Rapture of the Deep — 20th Anniversary Remix, out worldwide on August 29, which includes a brand new mix of the full album, revised artwork, and a bonus disc filled with rare studio rehearsals and instrumental jams.

The album will be available as 2CD Digipak, 3LP Vinyl (black, 180g), and the strictly limited 3LP Transparent Sky-Blue Vinyl.

With Deep Purple riding high on the success of their latest No. 1 record =1, the time is right to (re)discover the album that set the path for Deep Purple in the 21st century.

Access the album here. 

Deep Purple's "Rapture of the Deep" Album Marks 20 Years With Remix + Unreleased Tracks

IS THIS DEEP PURPLE'S UNFAIRLY FORGOTTEN ALBUM?

RAPTURE OF THE DEEP MARKS 20 YEARS WITH A STUNNING REMIX + UNRELEASED TRACKS

RAPTURE OF THE DEEP 20TH ANNIVERSARY REMIX TO BE RELEASED AUGUST 29

Deep Purple's Rapture of the Deep turns 20 – and i'’s celebrated with a complete remix and remaster, striking new artwork, plus a bonus CD/LP featuring never-before-released recordings.

Listen to "Junkyard Blues" below:

It's no secret that Rapture of the Deep isn’t the first album that comes to mind when listing Deep Purple's classics – and while it was met with interest at the time, it gradually faded from view. Despite solid sales, the album arrived during a period when there was little spotlight on the world of classic rock, and over the years, Rapture of the Deep developed into an overlooked chapter in Deep Purple's rich discography.

It's equally true that this record, and the story behind it, marked a turning point — the quiet beginning of a run that would eventually lead to four consecutive No. 1 albums (2013, 2017, 2020, 2024) and the kind of success few bands experience even once, let alone decades into their career.

New insights by Kerrang! founder and Classic Rock magazine writer Geoff Bartonpull back the curtain on a time when Deep Purple were navigating an uncertain era in the music industry that saw the downfall of many once-great artist careers — and unravel the strange chemistry that gave birth to Deep Purple's 18th studio album.

As bassist Roger Glover reflects, "We were going through a bit of a hard time when we started the songwriting and production of Rapture of the Deep and, strangely enough, we didn't have a record company at that point. Let's face it, we were a bit lost (…)."

But from that uncertain moment emerged an album bursting with sharp songwriting, masterful playing, and pure Deep Purple grit.

Now, newly mixed with the supervision of Glover, analogue-mastered at renowned Chameleon Studios in Hamburg, and presented with bold new artwork, Rapture of the Deep finally shines with clarity and color. "It's a new album now to me," says Roger Glover. Fans will hear it blooming for the first time.

This new edition also includes a bonus CD/LP featuring previously unreleased instrumental takes and studio rehearsals recorded during the songwriting process — providing a rare, unfiltered insight into the band’s creative work in the studio. Captured on multi-track in 2005 and mixed for the first time in 2025, it’s one of those rare instances where recordings resurface decades later from archives long thought lost.

Among the highlights is the track "Closing Note," a never-before-heard piece by former guitarist Steve Morse — recorded during the album sessions and now officially released for the first time.

These tracks are available exclusively on all three physical formats — CD Digipak, 3LP Vinyl (black, 180g), and the strictly Limited 3LP Transparent Sky-Blue Vinyl.

With Deep Purple riding high on the success of their latest No. 1 record =1, the time is right to (re)discover the album that set the path for Deep Purple in the 21st century.

Access the album here.

DIMMU BORGIR - RELEASE COVER SONG OF DEEP PURPLE´s 'PERFECT STRANGERS'

Today, DIMMU BORGIR releases their cover of DEEP PURPLES's 'Perfect Strangers'. The song is featured on their upcoming cover album Inspiratio Profanus which will be released on December 8th via Nuclear Blast Records.                    

Silenoz states about the cover of 'Perfect Strangers': "The idea of doing Perfect Strangers came about quite a while before we actually got around to recording it. It’s a known song by a very well-known band that has influenced many to pick up an instrument. I mean, is there anyone who doesn’t like Deep Purple?! We incorporated our little twist to it while at the same time wanted to stay close to the original. But perhaps it is the more obvious aspects that come to mind when hearing it; the integration between the main musical elements that we also made use of since the beginning like keyboards and guitars."          

Silenoz comments about the album Inspiratio Profanus: "We’re pleased to announce the Inspiratio Profanus release! We thought it was about time to finally compile the cover songs we’ve done over the years and give these renditions an updated mastering, all in one package, highlighting some of our many influences!"
 
Pre-order Inspiratio Profanus + listen to 'Perfect Strangers' here:
https://dimmuborgir.bfan.link/inspiratio-profanus.ema

About DIMMU BORGIR:

As they conjure new, dark compositions, DIMMU BORGIR take a retrospective look back, celebrating the band's 30th Anniversary and the seminal artists that left a defining imprint on their sound.

Conceived in the heart of the Norwegian black metal scene in 1993, DIMMU BORGIRquickly broke free from the boundaries of the genre, daring to combine a traditional raven black sound with opulent symphonic orchestration. They became pioneers within their own field, forging groundbreaking albums such as Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997), Spiritual Black Dimensions (1999), & Death Cult Armageddon (2003), invading the entire world with headline tours and eventually turning into the most influential act of their genre after nine full-length studio releases.

After their last two successful albums Abrahadabra and Eonian and the remixed version of Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, DIMMU BORGIR herald their 30-year legacy by releasing, together for the first time, a collection of their cover songs. Inspiratio Profanusfeatures a cover of 'Black Metal' (VENOM), the genre-defining 'Perfect Strangers' (DEEP PURPLE), fan-favorite 'Burn In Hell' (TWISTED SISTER), and electrifying renditions from the legendary CELTIC FROST, as well as other immensely influential artists!

GLENN HUGHES TO PERFORM CLASSIC HITS FROM THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEEP PURPLE’S LEGENDARY “BURN” ALBUM ON UPCOMING TOUR

GLENN HUGHES TO PERFORM CLASSIC HITS FROM THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
DEEP PURPLE’S LEGENDARY “BURN” ALBUM

CO-HEADLINE U.S. TOUR WITH YNGWIE MALMSTEEN ANNOUNCED

 
Glenn Hughes, the former bassist, and singer of Deep Purple, known to millions as the ‘Voice of Rock’, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and the front man for rock super group Black Country Communion, is pleased to announce an evening celebrating music from BURN and other classic hits from Deep Purple’s rich back catalog – during a tour that will mostly see him co-headlining with guitar great Yngwie Malmsteen. 
 
Billed as “Glenn Hughes Performs The 50th Anniversary of Deep Purple’s BURN Live”, Hughes will perform classic hits from the legendary album, and the addition of Deep Purple MKIII and MKIV songs. 
 
Glenn’s band will feature Soren Andersen (guitar), Ash Sheehan (drums) and Ed Roth (keyboards).

'It was 50 years ago, in the summer of 1973, that the BURN album by Deep Purple was written at Clearwell castle in Gloucestershire UK,” reminisces Hughes. “It was recorded in October in Montreux, Switzerland.”
 
Continues Hughes, “We all became one in this centuries old castle in the UK countryside, it felt like Deep were a new band, with David (Coverdale) and I as new members, we couldn’t wait to start working on new song. The atmosphere was electric, in such amazing surroundings.”
 
“All the songs on Burn were written in the crypt/dungeon, underneath the great hall. We worked on a new song every day, and we were in the flow. Musically we would play, and work out ideas, and David and I would come up with vocal melodies that would later have lyrics. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
                             
“As you could imagine, Ritchie Blackmore was in full prankster mode, Jon had warned me, and he rigged my room one night with a speaker that was hidden, and had ghostly voices delivered to my bedside.”
 
“The title track was the last song to be written. We came back from the pub, and went down into the crypt, and magic happened.”
 
Concludes Hughes, “It’s time to celebrate BURN, and I’m really looking forward to seeing you!”

GLENN HUGHES PERFORMS CLASSIC HITS FROM THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEEP PURPLE’S LEGENDARY “BURN” ALBUM AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 US TOUR WITH YNGWIE MALMSTEEN (unless otherwise noted):
 
08.16.23      LANDIS THEATER                              VINELAND, NJ*** (GLENN HUGHES ONLY)
08.18.23      STRAND THEATER                             HUDSON FALLS, NY
08.19.23      THE CHANCE                                      POUGHKEEPSIE, NY
08.22.23      THE PALLADIUM TIMES SQUARE    NEW YORK, NEW YORK
08.23.23      THE PARAMOUNT                              HUNTINGTON, NY
08.25.23      THE KING OF CLUBS                         COLUMBUS, OH
08.26.23      ARCADA THEATER                            ST. CHARLES, IL
08.28.23      GRANADA THEATER                         DALLAS, TX***(GLENN HUGHES ONLY)
08.30.23      HOUSE OF BLUES                             NEW ORLEANS, LA
09.01.23      HOUSE OF BLUES                             HOUSTON, TX
09.02.23      TOBIN CENTER                                  SAN ANTONIO, TX
09.04.23      MARQUEE                                           TEMPE, AZ
09.06.23      HOUSE OF BLUES                             SAN DIEGO, CA
09.08.23      SABAN THEATER                                BEVERLY HILLS, CA
09.09.23      PERFORMING ARTS CENTER           OXNARD, CA
09.11.23      HOUSE OF BLUES                              ANAHEIM, CA
09.13.23      ORIENTAL THEATER                          DENVER, CO
09.15.23      EMERALD THEATER                          MT. CLEMENS, MI
09.16.23      BLUE NOTE                                         HARRISON, OH***(GLENN HUGHES ONLY)
09.19.23      THE PALLADIUM                                 WORCESTER, MA
09.20.23      JERGELS                                             WARRENDALE, PA***(GLENN HUGHES ONLY)
09.22.23      PARKER PLAYHOUSE                        FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
09.23.23      CAPITOL THEATER                            CLEARWATER, FL

DEEP PURPLE – THE STORY BEHIND “BURN”
Burn is the eighth studio album by the English rock band Deep Purple, written and recorded in 1973, and released in February 1974, the album was the first to feature then-unknown David Coverdale on vocals and Glenn Hughes, from Trapeze, on bass and vocals.

The album was recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, in November 1973, with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. With the addition of David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, Purple's hard rock sound became more boogie-oriented, incorporating elements of soul and funk, which would become much more prominent on the follow-up album, Stormbringer.

Burn hit #3 on the UK Albums Chart, #9 on the US Billboard 200, and #1 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Norway.

In 2004 Burn was remastered and released with bonus tracks. Coronarias Redig was recorded during the Burn recording sessions, used only as a B-side for the Might Just Take Your Life single in 1974. It appears as a bonus track (in remixed form) on the anniversary edition re-release. The 2004 remix version of Burn was later used in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.

In 2005 an unauthorized documentary about the album was produced as part of "The Ultimate Critical Review" series. It featured brand new interview with the original Deep Purple Mk III bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes.

Lead single Might Just Take Your Life, released 4 March, was Deep Purple's first UK single in two years.

The phenomenal title track started things off at full throttle, actually challenging the seminal Highway Star for the honor of best opener to any Deep Purple album, while showcasing the always impressive drumming of Ian Paice. The fantastic slow-boiling blues of Mistreated's greatness qualifies it for the highest echelons of hard rock achievement, and therefore ranks as an essential item in the discography of any self-respecting music fan.


GLENN HUGHES – BIOGRAPHY

Glenn Hughes is an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the MK 3 line up of Deep Purple.  He spent the formative years of his career as the beloved bassist and vocalist of the group and performed on the classic albums Burn (1974), Stormbringer (1974) and Come Taste The Band (1975).

The vocalist/bass guitarist/songwriter is a true original. No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. Stevie Wonder once called Hughes his favorite white singer.  The first important band Hughes was a member of that achieved notable success was Trapeze.

In 1973, Hughes joined Deep Purple. The trailblazing hard-rock legends had just weathered the departure of vocalist Ian Gillan and bass guitarist Roger Glover, but guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice continued with the addition of Hughes and David Coverdale.

Since 1992, Hughes has toured extensively in Europe, Japan, and South America in support of solo albums.  He’s recorded four studio albums with the multi-award-winning supergroup Black Country Communion featuring guitarist Joe Bonamassa, keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) and drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham.

In 2016 he released his critically acclaimed solo album Resonate featuring the rock radio hit “Heavy”, and in 2017 he released Black Country Communion’s fourth studio album “BCCIV” to ecstatic reviews.

In 2019, Glenn joined the Dead Daises as their lead singer and bass guitarist, recorded two albums, Holy Ground (2021) and Radiance (2022) and toured the world.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: 
https://www.glennhughes.com/
https://www.facebook.com/glennhughesonline
https://twitter.com/glenn_hughes
https://www.instagram.com/GlennHughesOnline/