Hard rock icons Deep Purple have officially announced that their latest studio effort, titled Splat!, will be released on July 3 via earMUSIC. This new collection arrives as the band continues to build upon a legendary career that has seen over 120 million albums sold since their formation in 1968.
For this project, the band once again collaborated with legendary producer Bob Ezrin, known for his iconic work with Kiss, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, and Alice Cooper. The recording process for Splat! adhered to the band’s traditional roots, with the musicians performing together live in the studio to capture a raw, high-energy atmosphere.
“Splat! is the heaviest Deep Purple album in many years, with the band playing together in the studio – the way Deep Purple have always recorded,” says official press release.
Frontman Ian Gillan describes the current energy of the group as a return to their most celebrated era.
“Where we are now with this incarnation of Deep Purple feels very much like a very ‘now’ version of Deep Purple as it was in the ’70s,” Gillan stated.
The vocalist further emphasized that the musical direction of the new record intentionally mirrors the intensity of their foundational years. “I have to say, now we are very much back in with material that is compatible with ‘Highway Star‘, ‘Smoke On The Water‘, ‘Lazy‘ — the dynamics, the balance, and the fun of the music we made from ’69 to ’73,” Ian commented. “Deep Purple is in a great place right now.”
Splat! is built around a unique conceptual theme envisioned by Ian Gillan. Rather than exploring themes of destruction, the album treats the end of humanity as a metamorphosis or a transition beyond physical existence. Fans can expect more details regarding this concept to be unveiled in the weeks leading up to the July release.
The announcement comes during an incredibly active period for the band, who recently released the studio album =1 in 2024. That record followed a string of successful releases produced by Bob Ezrin, including Whoosh!, inFinite, and NOW What?!. During the pandemic, the group also explored their musical roots with the covers collection Turning To Crime.
Beyond the studio, Deep Purple remains one of the hardest-working live acts in the industry. Their 2026 touring schedule is massive, featuring 86 scheduled performances across 28 countries and three continents. The current lineup, featuring Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey, and Simon McBride, continues to draw diverse crowds that span multiple generations.
The band’s standing as “rock royalty” is well-documented through numerous accolades. In 2016, they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and they previously received the Legend Award at the 2008 World Music Awards. This legacy was cemented early on by the Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, and Ritchie Blackmore lineup, which produced the definitive live album Made In Japan.
Splat! will be available in a wide variety of formats, including a limited box set that features three exclusive 10-inch vinyl records of live performances from the 2024 tour and a 7-inch single with the bonus track “Guinnesis“. Other versions include standard and colored 2LP gatefold editions, CD digisleeves, and a limited edition signed canvas available through the band’s official store.
The full track listing for Splat! is as follows:
Side A
- “Arrogant Boy“
- “Diablo“
- “The Rider“
- “The Lunatic“
Side B
- “The Only Horse In Town“
- “Sacred Land“
- “The Beating Of Wings“
Side C
- “Guilt Trippin’“
- “Scriblin’ Gib’rish“
- “Jessica’s Bra“
Side D
- “Third Call“
- “My New Movie“
- “Splat!“
