DEEP PURPLE from the setting sun... (in wacken) 0210539EMU

Released on August 28, 2015, by Ear Music, this expansive triple-vinyl set captures Deep Purple at one of the world’s most prestigious heavy metal gatherings: Wacken Open Air in Germany. Recorded during the band’s 2013 tour supporting the Now What?! album, this performance features the long-standing “Mark VIII” lineup: Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Roger Glover, Steve Morse, and Don Airey. The setlist is a masterful blend of 21st-century compositions and the legendary hard rock anthems that defined the genre.

This European release is a high-quality production designed for the modern vinyl enthusiast, emphasizing sonic clarity and physical presence.

Triple Vinyl and Gatefold Design
The concert is spread across three 12-inch records to ensure maximum groove spacing and dynamic range, which is critical for a live recording of this magnitude. The set is housed in a premium gatefold sleeve featuring immersive photography from the festival. The records are protected by white inner sleeves, and the overall manufacturing was handled by Optimal Media GmbH in Germany, a plant renowned for its world-class pressing standards.

Lacquer Cutting and Mastering
The lacquer was cut by the engineer “AM” at Optimal Media, with final mastering and mixing handled by Alexander Dietz and Eike Freese. This ensures that the thunderous rhythm section of Paice and Glover, combined with Steve Morse’s intricate guitar work, is captured with the punch and warmth that only analog media can provide.

The performance showcases Deep Purple’s ability to remain a vital live force, seamlessly integrating newer material with their iconic 1970s and 80s catalog.

Modern Classics and Virtuoso Solos
The set includes strong performances of then-new tracks like Vincent Price, Hell To Pay, and Above And Beyond. It also features dedicated space for instrumental brilliance, including Steve Morse’s Contact Lost and a sprawling keyboard solo by Don Airey that pays homage to the band’s deep musical heritage.

Legendary Guest and Encore
A significant highlight of this Wacken performance is the guest appearance of guitar legend Uli Jon Roth (ex-Scorpions) on the timeless classic Smoke On The Water. The encore on Side F brings the house down with a medley of Green Onions and Hush, followed by a heavy, extended version of Black Night.

Label: Ear Music (0210539EMU)
Format: 3 x LP, Album, Gatefold
Manufacturing: Optimal Media GmbH, Germany
Personnel: Gillan, Paice, Glover, Morse, Airey
Special Feature: Featuring Uli Jon Roth on Smoke On The Water

This 2015 3LP set stands as a definitive document of Deep Purple’s late-career renaissance, offering a grand-scale listening experience that captures the energy of 75,000 metal fans in the heart of Germany.