Deep Purple: Machine Head (LP)

After completing recording in late 1971, Deep Purple released Machine Head on March 25, 1972. The band's sixth LP immediately shot to #1 in the U.K. and stayed on the charts for weeks, thanks in part to the singles "Never Before," "Lazy" and "Highway Star." Machine Head was more of a slow success in the United States, in part because "Smoke on the Water" was not released as a single until May 1973. The song became Purple's most successful U.S. single (peaking at No. 4 on Billboard, as did 1968's "Hush") and pushed its parent album to No. 7. In all, Machine Head spent more than two years on the U.S. charts while Deep Purple became world-renowned hard rock heavyweights. Decades later, it remains the band's greatest album. (ultimateclassicrock.com) "Machine Head" is the sixth studio album of Deep Purple. It was released in 1972 and is considered a pioneer of heavy metal. It is also the most successful album of the band.