🎶 Deep Purple
🌎London, England
📀 Splat!
® earMusic
📅 03/07/2026

If there’s one active band left in the world with absolutely nothing left to prove, it’s DEEP PURPLE. Nearly six decades after their formation, they continue to release new music with remarkable consistency, proving that they remain a genuinely creative band rather than one simply living off its glorious past. Despite the fact that Ian Paice, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, andDon Airey are all approaching their 80s, their artistic drive remains as inspiring as ever. The youngest member of the lineup, 47-year-old guitarist Simon McBride, has already demonstrated that not only was he the right man to succeed Steve Morse, but that he has become an integral part of the band’s modern identity.

The easy part was releasing their 24th studio album, “Splat!”. Next comes the real challenge: an extensive autumn tour featuring more than 30 shows in just two months. Quite simply, that’s impressive.

Equally impressive is the fact that “Splat!” manages to sound both unmistakably old-school and refreshingly modern. Much of that comes down to Ian Gillan’s almost cinematic—and at times playfully theatrical—vocal delivery. Naturally, at this stage of his career, he can no longer reach the soaring screams of decades past. But that’s precisely where the band’s greatest strength lies: instead of trying to recreate the impossible, they have adapted their songwriting to suit their current abilities. Even lyrically, DEEP PURPLE have shifted toward a more humorous and self-aware approach, replacing the classic rock-and-roll themes of old with witty observations, as illustrated by song titles like “Jessica’s Bra.”

The same philosophy extends to the musicianship surrounding Gillan’s vocals. Moments of dazzling virtuosity are still present, while Don Airey’s keyboards continue to play a starring role, much like Jon Lord’s once did. The difference is that restraint now takes precedence over excess. The arrangements remain elegant, melodic and remarkably accessible, allowing the album’s thirteen songs to flow effortlessly from beginning to end.

In a recent interview, Gillan described “Splat!” as the band’s hardest-rocking album in years, and opening the record with “Arrogant Boy” immediately backs up that claim. Fast, energetic and packed with groove, it’s the perfect introduction and another reminder of why Simon McBride has quickly established himself as a full-fledged member of the Purple family.

The atmospheric “Diablo” builds a darker, more ominous mood, while “The Rider” stands out thanks to its cinematic keyboard introduction before bursting into full-blooded hard rock. “The Lunatic” gives Don Airey the perfect opportunity to show off with a superb keyboard solo before the album settles into the bluesy, mid-tempo groove of “The Only Horse in Town,” whose catchy chorus makes it one of the record’s most immediate tracks.

Just when you think you’ve figured the album out, “Sacred Land” arrives. Opening with subtle Eastern flavours before embracing distinctly Celtic melodies, it reveals a more experimental side of the band and quickly became one of my personal favorites. “The Beating of Wings” returns to DEEP PURPLE’s blues roots, both musically and emotionally, while “Guilt Trippin'” opens with another adventurous piano introduction that highlights the jazz influences these rock veterans have never been afraid to explore.

The more classic-sounding “Scriblin’ Gib’rish” may be one of the heaviest songs on the album, but it’s also one of the funniest, tackling today’s digital world with plenty of humour and self-deprecation as Gillan and company struggle to come to terms with modern technology. “Jessica’s Bra” follows a similar path, built around an infectious groove and the band’s trademark tongue-in-cheek wit.

As the album approaches its conclusion, “Third Call” allows Ian Paice to remind everyone why he remains one of rock’s greatest drummers, before Gillan returns to centre stage with an almost spoken-word performance on the otherwise rather forgettable “My New Movie.”

Earlier I mentioned that “Splat!” successfully balances the classic with the contemporary, and nowhere is that more evident than on the title track. Every instrument is given room to shine, the songwriting remains tight and engaging, and the overall impression is that of a band that still has plenty left to say rather than one approaching the end of its journey.

DEEP PURPLE earned the respect of the rock world many decades ago, and “Splat!” only reinforces that legacy. It may well be the strongest album they’ve released in the past twenty years. It’s not a masterpiece, nor does it attempt to compete with the immortal classics of their seventies catalogue. Instead, it serves as a powerful reminder that creativity has no expiration date. As long as the passion remains, age becomes little more than a number.

Their upcoming marathon tour will undoubtedly provide a serious test of their physical endurance—certainly not their artistic one. And judging by the quality of “Splat!”, here’s hoping they continue for as many years as they possibly can.

★ 8.5/10
✍🏻 Kostas Boudoukos