It does feel like an explosive cannon blast, doesn’t it? An eruptive explosion that comes out of nowhere—something that kicks you in the gut so hard that you never know when it will happen.
Here I am, back on my laptop, reading Issue #3 of Heavy Metal magazine, delving into the stories of Taarna, the Gladiatrix, the continuation of the events from B-17 in the 1981 cult classic adult-animated film, and parallel stories that would make the Marvel Cinematic Universe shit its pants nonstop while the corporate falsetto mouse begs for mercy. But it’s far too late for that pretentious, clean-cut Disney horseshit.
You can’t deny the power and majestic force Deep Purple have in store for their listeners in 2026. Whatever Mark lineup you prefer, whether it’s the blistering textures of Ritchie Blackmore, Tommy Bolin, Steve Morse, or newcomer Simon McBride, who took over for Morse during the band’s summer 2022 tour, you can tell McBride fits naturally into the Purple sound. So, you may ask, when was the first time I heard Deep Purple?
The first time I heard them was back in 1997 when I bought the soundtrack to the 1993 cult classic Dazed and Confused, directed by Richard Linklater. It introduced me to bands such as The Runaways, Black Oak Arkansas, and Foghat while reintroducing me to Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, and the Ozzy era of Black Sabbath. I had actually heard Deep Purple even earlier on a compilation album whose title I can no longer remember, but it featured their explosive Rod Evans-era recording of ‘River Deep, Mountain High’.
I’ve always loved both the Rod Evans and Ian Gillan eras, spanning the band’s first two Marks, from Shades of Deep Purple through Who Do We Think We Are. That’s generally where my listening stopped. Now, here I am in 2026, and Deep Purple have done the impossible by staying true to their roots.
Their new album, Splat, gives them the awesome power they deserve by retaining their energetic hard rock foundation while embracing progressive ambitions. Listening to it feels like watching an episode of the ’90s animated Iron Man or The Incredible Hulk series back when superhero cartoons still had a genuine edge.
This is the band’s 24th studio album and the follow-up to their 2024 release, =1. With Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, KISS, Peter Gabriel) once again handling production, the album reaches another level. Country superstar Keith Urban even makes a guest guitar appearance on ‘Diablo,’ whose Zappa-esque structure evokes the Over-Nite Sensation era while tipping its hat to the Grand Wazoo himself. The band attack every song with relentless energy, refusing to back down for even a second.
For McBride, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, and Don Airey, this album is about believing in the music, keeping the fires burning, and laying down heavy arrangements that make you want to dust off your LPs, not just Machine Head, but Fireball, In Rock, and even a little of David Coverdale’s Burn. But regardless of the era, Deep Purple will always be Deep Purple.
So, what’s the verdict on Splat? It’s really, really good!
The album opens with a rumbling roar on ‘Arrogant Boy’ as McBride’s thunderous riffs, Airey’s revved-up organ, and Paice’s explosive drumming launch the listener into a fantasy voyage filled with concerto-like grandeur and dizzying time signature changes. At times, it recalls the Selling England by the Pound era of Genesis while carrying flashes of Ozzy Osbourne’s Bark at the Moon period.
We’re soon sailing into progressive rock territory as Don Airey’s organ briefly explores the textures of Rock Progressivo Italiano on ‘The Rider’, blending them with a bluesy metallic groove in a search for inner strength and spiritual ascent. You can even hear echoes of ‘Emmaretta’. as Purple briefly salute the Rod Evans era and the band’s earliest days.
Then comes ‘The Lunatic’, where Deep Purple remove every stop from the road and keep their engines roaring straight toward Arkham Asylum. The song’s eerie, twisted, carousel-like atmosphere feels as though you’re wandering through Batman’s most dangerous prison, surrounded by The Joker, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, and the rest of Gotham’s gallery of madness.
The chemistry between McBride and Airey is exceptional. Their trading of solos and improvisations flows effortlessly, each phrase complementing the other with remarkable precision. It’s almost as if Jon Lord’s spirit is watching over them, proud to see Airey carrying the Hammond organ legacy with such confidence and authority.
As the album continues, ‘The Only Horse in Town’ channels the Duke era of Genesis, its singalong melodies picking up where ‘Turn It on Again’ left off. It captures that irresistible prog-pop energy, making it feel as though it’s 1980 all over again.
Meanwhile, ‘Sacred Land’ and the prison-break intensity of ‘Scriblin’ Gib’ris’ unfold like epic fantasy soundtracks, conjuring memories of Conan the Adventurer, She-Ra: Princess of Power, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and Filmation’s Flash Gordon.
Deep Purple continue to flex their power with roaring synthesisers, crushing riffs, and enough energy to make you crank the volume to 11. This album deserves to be discussed for years to come because it proves that Deep Purple are far more than simply another classic rock band.
Then it’s back to the Zappa hotel, where the soulful blues textures of ‘The Beating of Wings’ perfectly complement Gillan’s voice, almost functioning as a spiritual sequel to ‘I’m the Slime’. The journey reaches another progressive peak with ‘Jessica’s Bra’. It’s a thunderous ride that blends power, melody, and adventurous musicianship while immersing the listener in another chapter of Deep Purple’s storytelling.
Shades of Premiata Forneria Marconi’s ‘Celebration’ emerge throughout, while Airey’s boogie-woogie piano flourishes pay tribute to the late, great Keith Emerson before the band launches back into dizzying time signature changes that seem to carry the listener across the solar system.
What else can I say? Splat stands as one of Deep Purple’s finest modern achievements and another reminder of why they remain one of hard rock’s greatest institutions. More than five decades into their career, they continue to evolve without abandoning the identity that made them legendary in the first place. It’s loud, fearless, unapologetic, and overflowing with imagination.
Above all, Splat proves that Deep Purple still have plenty of fire left in the tank, delivering an album that earns not only a proper handshake but a standing ovation from anyone who still believes that rock music can surprise, inspire, and shake the earth beneath your feet.
