PURPENDICULAR Featuring IAN PAICE – Banned

Purpendicular’s origins trace back to being one of the most respected Deep Purple tribute acts in Europe, but the band has steadily grown into something more than a nostalgic showcase. With none other than Ian Paice—the legendary drummer and founding member of Deep Purple—sitting behind the kit, the group commands credibility that few “tribute-turned-original” projects could ever hope to achieve. Banned is the band’s fourth studio album, written in the summer of 2024 under dramatic circumstances. While sequestered in the mountains near Porto, Portugal, wildfires threatened their lives and forced their evacuation—a harrowing experience that ended up shaping the album’s conceptual themes of survival, cultural “canceling,” and resilience. With Banned, Purpendicular proves that their music is more than homage—it’s living, breathing Rock history pushing forward into the present.

Production

The record was pieced together across Italy, Poland, and the UK, with production handled by Alessandro Debiaggi and frontman Robby Thomas Walsh. Sonically, Banned is steeped in the blues-rock tradition, paying direct homage to Deep Purple’s golden years without feeling like a carbon copy. Paice’s drumming is as vibrant as ever—dynamic, organic, and refreshingly natural in an era where over-compressed, digital drums dominate. The Hammond organ is the beating heart of the arrangements, instantly recalling Jon Lord’s classic Purple sound, while Murray Gould’s guitar adds both bite and elegance, with tasteful slide guitar work peppered throughout.

Walsh’s vocals are another highlight, often channeling Ian Gillan’s range and phrasing without slipping into parody. The album’s mix avoids the loudness wars trap; instead, it breathes, with quiet-to-loud dynamics that lend the music real impact. The production feels deliberately retro, almost as if this could have been cut straight to tape in 1974, yet the polish and clarity reveal its modern craftsmanship.

Final Notes

Banned is not only a love letter to Deep Purple but also a testament to Purpendicular’s ability to stand on their own as a band of substance. From the fiery opener Inferno to the autobiographical title track, the album balances swaggering blues-rock with thematic weight. Yes, the comparisons to Deep Purple are inescapable—but that’s precisely what makes this record so charming. It’s unapologetically rooted in the past while still feeling fresh enough to matter in 2024.

If you crave that Hammond-driven, bluesy hard rock sound and miss the days when bands weren’t afraid to let their songs breathe, Banned is for you. Purpendicular aren’t reinventing the wheel here—but they’re keeping it rolling with conviction, and Paice’s drumming alone makes it worth the price of admission.

Lineup

• Robby Thomas Walsh (Ireland) – vocals
• Ian Paice (UK) – drums
• Murray Gould (UK) – guitars
• Alessandro Debiaggi (Italy) – keyboards
• Mauricio Torchio (Italy) – bass

“Banned” Tracklist

1. Inferno
2. Beast
3. The Escape
4. Blood Red Moon
5. You Better Behave
6. Banned
7. Too Hard To PLease
8. Seventies Kid
9. The End

Check out the official video for “Banned” by the Perpendicular Featuring Ian Paice off of the new album: Banned