"The main difference between Future Shock and a Deep Purple record is the trimming of self-indulgent and meandering solos": Gillan's Future Shock pays sonic tribute to their singer's illustrious past

Ian Gillan headshot.

Gillan: Future Shock

(Image credit: Demon Records)

Future Shock
Night Ride Out of Phoenix
(The Ballad Of) The Lucitania Express
No Laughing in Heaven
Sacre Bleu
New Orleans
If I Sing Softly
Don't Want the Truth
For Your Dreams

Fondly regarded in their day, mainly because of their proximity to the classic Mk II Deep Purple sound, it wasn’t until the release of Future Shock in 1981 that Gillan really came into their own. Preceded by the success of singles like the covers of Trouble and New Orleans, it also contained some of the best material vocalist Ian Gillan had leant his name to since his Purple heyday, not least the witty No Laughing In Heaven.