Review: Deep Purple’s SPLAT! – A Metamorphic Masterclass in Heavy Rock

11 July 2026 Neil@RockNews

Review: Deep Purple’s SPLAT! – A Metamorphic Masterclass in Heavy Rock

Deep Purple ‘SPLAT!’ Review – To speak of Deep Purple is to speak of the very architecture of hard rock. Since their inception in 1968, they have navigated shifting tides of industry, lineup volatility, and the relentless passage of time with a resilience that borders on the mythical. From the blues-infused proto-metal of the early days to the progressive, organ-drenched virtuosity that defined their Mark II pinnacle, the band has always functioned as a living, breathing laboratory for musical improvisation.

With the release of SPLAT! their 24th studio album and latest offering in a career that has now spanned seven decades – the band finds itself in a fascinating position. Having firmly re-established their creative momentum with the critically lauded =1 in 2024, SPLAT! arrives not as a victory lap, but as a bold, heavy-hitting statement of continued relevance. It is a work that manages to reconcile the band’s storied history with a forward-looking, sonic aggression that feels startlingly contemporary.

The Genesis of SPLAT!

SPLAT! marks the sixth consecutive collaboration between the band and the venerable producer Bob Ezrin. Since 2013’s NOW What?!, this partnership has proven to be the most stable and productive of the band’s late-era history, acting as a bridge between their legacy and modern production standards.

However, SPLAT! feels distinct. Ian Gillan, the architect of this record’s conceptual heart, has described the project as a meditation on the end of humanity. Yet, he is quick to clarify that this is not a grim, apocalyptic dirge. Rather, it is a “metamorphosis beyond physical existence.” This sense of transformation permeates the studio approach. The band, consisting of the formidable rhythm section of Ian Paice and Roger Glover, the atmospheric wizardry of Don Airey, and the electrifying addition of guitarist Simon McBride opted to record together in the room. This live, kinetic energy is undeniable, eschewing clinical over-production for the raw, magnetic friction that made the Machine Head era so essential.

Interestingly, for the first time since 2005, the band wrote the music without additional compositional input from Ezrin, reclaiming a sense of autonomy that resonates in every riff and breakdown. The sound is thick, heavy, and, as McBride has noted, moves with the unstoppable momentum of a freight train.

Deep Purple ‘SPLAT!’ Review – Track List & Formats

The album is a sprawling 50-minute journey across thirteen tracks:

Arrogant Boy
Diablo
The Rider
The Lunatic
The Only Horse In Town
Sacred Land
The Beating Of Wings
Guilt Trippin’
Scriblin’ Gib’rish
Jessica’s Bra
Third Call
My New Movie
Splat!

The label, earMUSIC, has spared no expense in presentation. Fans can choose from standard CD and black 180g vinyl editions, as well as limited runs in purple and transparent yellow vinyl. For the dedicated collector, a limited box set is available, boasting a 12-page booklet, three 10-inch records featuring live performances from the 2024 tour, and an exclusive 7-inch single containing the bonus track “GUINNESIS.”

Deep Purple ‘SPLAT!’ Review – Track-by-Track Breakdown

Arrogant Boy / Diablo / The Rider: The opening trio hits with the subtlety of a wrecking ball. “Arrogant Boy” serves as an immediate mission statement, while “Diablo” features a surprise guest turn from Keith Urban, whose guitar work adds a surprising layer of grit.
The Lunatic / The Only Horse In Town: The pacing here is exceptional. Don Airey’s keys act as the glue in “The Lunatic,” weaving through a dark, driving tempo that feels like a spiritual successor to the In Rock era.
Sacred Land / The Beating Of Wings: This is where the “metamorphosis” concept shines. There is a grand, almost orchestral scope to these tracks, with Gillan’s vocals retaining a surprising amount of range and emotive depth.
Guilt Trippin’ / Scriblin’ Gib’rish: These tracks showcase the band’s ability to inject humour and cynicism into their hard rock framework. The playfulness here is a welcome contrast to the heavier, doom-laden riffs of the record’s centrepiece tracks.
Jessica’s Bra / Third Call: A bizarre title aside, “Jessica’s Bra” is a masterclass in rhythm section interplay. The chemistry between Paice and Glover remains the heartbeat of the entire operation.
My New Movie / Splat!: The album closes on a high, chaotic note. The title track, “Splat!,” is a frantic, progressive-tinged finale that captures the transition from life to “beyond” that Gillan promised. It’s a bold, slightly unsettling conclusion that leaves the listener wanting more.

Rock News Deep Purple ‘SPLAT!’ Review Verdict: A Legacy Refined

SPLAT! is, quite simply, a triumph. In an era where legacy acts often resort to self-parody, Deep Purple has done the impossible: they have evolved. The incorporation of modern amp modelling has given them a razor-sharp, contemporary edge, while the songcraft remains rooted in that inimitable 1970s DNA.

The album cover art, stark and evocative, mirrors the music within—it is minimalist, striking, and leaves room for the imagination. With SPLAT!, Deep Purple doesn’t just ask to be remembered for their past; they demand to be heard for their present. It is the sound of a band that has accepted the end of their era as a transformation, not a conclusion. If this is where the metamorphosis leads, then we are all better off for having witnessed it.