Deep Purple's mark 2 final effort!Battles rages on deserves the 5 stars for two reasons:some of the songs-Lick it up,Talk about love, Time to kill might be just good and always pleasant to listen to but some other songs like the groovy RAMSHACKLE MAN, SOLITAIRE, ANYA, THE BATTLE RAGES ON, ONE MAN'S MEAT are some the best songs of mark 2 reunion.I really believe this album is as good as PERFECT STRANGERS, it just didn't come out as such a surprise!
The second reason why this album deserves 5 stars is probably because being aware of the fact that Blackmore wasn't going to surprise us anymore with DP, he left the band not long after which gave a enormous rebound to DP's carreer and this might not sound like a good reason to buy this album but it is in fact!BATTLE RAGES ON is Blackmore's ultimate legacy to all purple fans and the last notes on this album might be the very last he created for DP and we should really enjoy them!

I am a huge Deep Purple fan, and I believe this to be an excellent album. For some reason, most DP fans badmouth this one, as if its somehow inferior or full of "filler." Usually when tons of fans don't like an album, I would tend to agree with them somewhat - or at least admit the album is weaker. I couldn't disagree more. Underrated is the word to describe this album. Its fun, its fast, and Blackmore's riffs and soloing are as good as they've ever been. Gillans vocal performance is excellent too. The riffs to the title track, Lick It Up, Anya, Ramshackle Man, One Man's Meat - how can you not think this is great Deep Purple music? I just don't understand why this one isn't put on par with Perfect Strangers, because I think it is almost as good. The Battle Rages On is the best DP song from the 80s till today - simply a powerful, incredible track.

After the disastrous Joe Lynn Turner experiment on "Slaves And Masters" Deep Purple came roaring back on "The Battle Rages On." While Joe Lynn Turner is an excellent singer, he doesn't fit the Deep Purple style nearly as well as Ian Gillan. On TBRO Deep Purple returns to the style of "Perfect Strangers" with great success. A much harder edge prevails throughout the album, but the band sticks to their roots, getting a bit bluesy at times (a good thing), but mainly sticking to straight-ahead rock. Standout tracks include "Nasty Piece of Work," the bluesy "Ramshackle Man," and the blistering title track. Ritchie Blackmore's guitar is much more prevalent than on the previous 2 albums, and the production is crisp and clean. A must-have for any Purple fan.

One of DP's best recordings. Regardless of the tensions during the making of this recording, the sheer virtuosity, musicianship and professionalism of the band members resulted in a truly majestic accomplishment. It is instructive to compare "The Battle Rages On" with Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto ("Emperor"); though the styles of music are very different they are animated by the same magnificent spirit.

I have been a DP fan for over 30 years, I never tire of them and I enjoy every album or cd that they make. This cd was no exception!