Deep Purple’s Rapture of the Deep has always been a curious entry in the band’s catalogue. Released in 2005, it followed Bananas and continued the Steve Morse era into the 21st century. At the time, I remember feeling the album had great songs but something about the mix left me—and many fans—feeling fatigued after listening.
Now, in 2025, the album has been completely remixed, resequenced, and reissued as a 20th anniversary celebration. I’ve spent time with the new 2CD edition, and the results are nothing short of transformative.
Packaging and Presentation
This new edition comes in a textured Digipak with bold new artwork. Inside, the 3-panel layout houses two discs and a detailed booklet. The essay by legendary rock journalist Jeff Barton offers valuable context, drawing on Roger Glover’s reflections about the original sessions and this fresh remix. All lyrics are included, alongside photos of the band from the mid-2000s era.
It feels like real care has gone into this reissue—far beyond a “that’ll do” treatment we sometimes see.
Why Remix?
The original 2005 release, while warmly received by many, suffered from a compressed, muddy sound. Steve Morse’s guitar lacked bite, the Hammond organ was buried, and Ian Gillan’s vocals didn’t shine the way they should. Listening on headphones back then could feel tiring, with everything blurring into a dense wall of sound.
Given those issues, a remix always seemed overdue. And now that it’s here, it feels like we’re finally hearing the Rapture of the Deep album we should have had in 2005.
The Sound of the 2025 Remix
The difference is immediate. Steve Morse’s guitar is now crunchy, heavy, and distinct. Don Airey’s Hammond organ sits proudly in the mix, at times channelling the spirit of Jon Lord. The bass and drums are solid, but the true revelation is Ian Gillan’s voice. On this remix, he sounds magnificent—clear, powerful, and expressive in a way the original mix simply didn’t capture.
The sequencing has also been overhauled. Notably, Things I Never Said—a bonus track from the tour edition—now appears as track two, giving it the prominence it always deserved. The flow of the album feels far more natural and dynamic.
Listening through headphones is no longer fatiguing. Instead, it’s an exhilarating experience where each instrument has room to breathe, and the songs feel alive with energy and emotion.
Bonus Disc
Disc Two offers studio jams, instrumentals, and alternate takes. Highlights include:
“MTV (Jam)” – a looser, rawer run-through.
“Before Time Began (Instrumental)” – revealing the interplay between Morse and Airey.
“Closing Note” – a delicate acoustic piece showcasing Morse’s technique.
While at just over 20 minutes there could have been space for more (a live track or two from the period, perhaps), what’s here is well worth having.
The 2025 remix of Rapture of the Deep is more than a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a reinvention. The songs sound muscular, contemporary, and emotionally charged. What was once an overlooked album now feels like a vital part of Deep Purple’s journey.
For fans of the Steve Morse era, this is essential. For those who wrote the album off in 2005, give this remix a chance—you may find yourself hearing it as if for the first time.
Highly recommended.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
