Splat! is Deep Purple’s 24th studio album, released on July 3, 2026 via earMUSIC and conceived as a pseudo‑concept record about the “end of humanity” and what might lie beyond it. Written by the current lineup—Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey, and guitarist Simon McBride—and produced once again by Bob Ezrin, it’s described by the band as their heaviest album in many years, reconnecting with the muscular hard‑rock and proto‑metal sound of their early‑’70s Mark II era while retaining the tighter song structures of recent releases like =1. Across 13 tracks and about 50 minutes, Splat! favors concise writing—most songs sit under four or five minutes—yet still finds room for dynamic interplay between McBride’s riffs and solos, Airey’s organ and synth textures, and Gillan’s still‑commanding vocals as the band approaches its 60th anniversary.Conceptually, Gillan’s central idea is to treat “the end” not as destruction but as transformation: Splat! imagines the end of humanity as a metamorphosis beyond physical existence, blending philosophical reflection, dark humor, and surreal storytelling. Songs like “Arrogant Boy,” “Guilt Trippin’,” “The Lunatic,” and “The Only Horse in Town” paint strange, character‑driven vignettes that gesture toward ego, guilt, and change, while “Sacred Land” and “The Beating of Wings” lean into more cosmic, almost spiritual imagery. Musically, the record ranges from heavy, riff‑driven rock (“Diablo,” which includes a guest guitar appearance from Keith Urban) to groove‑based tracks with playful titles like “Scriblin’ Gib’rish” and “Jessica’s Bra,” all recorded live in the studio to capture the organic chemistry that defined classics such as “Highway Star,” “Smoke on the Water,” and “Lazy.” Critics have highlighted Splat! as a surprisingly vigorous late‑career statement—economical yet adventurous, conceptually offbeat but emotionally grounded—showing Deep Purple still capable of delivering fresh, heavy music that feels true to their legacy rather than merely nostalgic.
