Like
Mr. Universe,
Glory Road put to shame many of the albums
Deep Purple recorded after
Ian Gillan's departure. Play this album next to
Purple's post-
Gillan 1975 release
Come Taste the Band, and it becomes clear just how superior some of
Gillan's solo albums were. Those who like
Gillan for melodic yet blistering heavy metal won't be disappointed by "Sleeping on the Job," "Unchain Your Brain," and other inspired, high-octane rockers. A few years later,
Gillan would experiment with elements of jazz fusion and R&B/funk, but on
Glory Road it is his love of metal and balls-to-the-wall rock that wins out. Next to
Mr. Universe, this was
Gillan's best studio date.