Deep Purple – ‘Splat!’

(earMUSIC)

There are bands that chase trends, bands that try to relive past glories, and then there’s Deep Purple. Half a century after helping invent hard rock, they still sound like they’ve wandered into the studio with something to prove. Splat! is exactly the sort of record you'd hope they'd make at this stage of the game, not because it reinvents the wheel, but because it reminds you who forged the damn thing in the first place.

This isn't an album fuelled by nostalgia. Sure, the DNA is unmistakable. The Hammond organ growls, the guitars swagger, and the rhythm section locks into grooves that feel like they could shift tectonic plates. But Splat! has a pulse all its own. It doesn't spend its time looking over its shoulder. Instead, it marches forward with the confidence of a band that knows exactly who it is and has absolutely nothing left to prove.

What immediately grabs you is the sheer weight of the groove. Deep Purple have always understood that the heaviest thing in rock isn't necessarily distortion, it's feel! Every riff here lands with purpose, built less around speed than momentum. The guitars swagger rather than sprint, delivering thick, blues-soaked hooks that seem to saunter into the room wearing mirrored shades and a knowing grin. It's classic Purple muscle, but with enough breathing space to let every note count.

That groove-first mentality runs right through the record. Rather than battering listeners into submission with relentless volume, the band let the music breathe. The rhythm section of Roger Glover (bass) and Ian Paice (drums) deserve enormous credit here. There's an almost casual authority to the playing; every beat feels natural; every bass line pushes the songs forward without shouting for attention. It's the sound of musicians who've spent decades learning that restraint can hit harder than excess.

Simon McBride’s guitar work is, unsurprisingly, one of the album's greatest strengths. The riffs don't simply underpin the songs; they define the character of the record. They're chunky, bluesy, occasionally mischievous and always dripping with attitude. There's plenty of fire when it's needed, but the real joy comes from the confidence behind every phrase. Solos emerge organically rather than as obligatory showcases, weaving melody and bite together with the kind of effortless class that younger players spend careers trying to emulate.

Equally important is the interplay with those glorious keyboard textures. The Hammond remains one of rock's great secret weapons, adding warmth, grit and that unmistakable Purple flavour without ever becoming overbearing. Instead of competing with the guitars, it wraps itself around them, creating a sound that's simultaneously vintage and surprisingly fresh. It's that chemistry that has always separated Deep Purple from countless imitators, and Splat! demonstrates that the magic hasn't faded one bit.

Keyboard legend Don Airey, who once again proves that the Hammond organ remains one of the most potent weapons in hard rock when it's in the right hands. His playing on Splat! is never about stealing the spotlight, it's about elevating everything around it. Whether he's laying down thick, smoky chords beneath the guitars or unleashing swirling runs that add a touch of controlled chaos, Airey colours every corner of the album with the sort of effortless class that only comes from decades at the top of the game. His keyboards don't simply accompany the songs; they give them depth, atmosphere and that unmistakable Purple identity.

What makes Airey's contribution so impressive is the way he understands the value of space. Rather than engaging in an all-out duel with the guitars, he slips between the cracks, weaving Hammond growl, vintage piano tones and subtle textures into the fabric of the music. When the band leans into those groove-heavy passages, his organ adds warmth and grit in equal measure, wrapping itself around the riffs like smoke curling from a Marshall stack. It's a masterclass in musical chemistry, reminding listeners that Deep Purple's signature sound has always been as much about the conversation between guitar and keyboards as it has been about sheer volume. Few keyboard players in rock possess Airey's instinct for knowing exactly when to push forward and when to simply let the groove breathe, and Splat! is all the stronger for it.

Vocally, there's no desperate attempt to disguise the passing years. Instead, experience becomes an asset. Ian Gillan’s performances carry authority rather than youthful bravado, delivering lyrics with personality, humour and just enough grit to keep everything grounded. There's a storytelling quality throughout the album that suits the band's mature perspective perfectly. It feels lived-in rather than manufactured.

Production-wise, Splat! gets the balance just right. Modern enough to pack a satisfying punch through today's speakers, yet warm enough to avoid the sterile sheen that plagues so many veteran rock releases. Every instrument has room to breathe, allowing the grooves to develop naturally without becoming cluttered. The guitars retain their bite, the organ swirls beautifully through the mix, and the rhythm section remains gloriously full-bodied throughout.

Perhaps the album's greatest achievement is its refusal to sound like a band going through familiar motions. Plenty of heritage acts can still play, but not all of them sound inspired. Deep Purple genuinely do. There's a looseness here that suggests musicians enjoying each other's company rather than simply fulfilling contractual obligations. That sense of enjoyment becomes infectious. The album never feels laboured; instead, it rolls from one idea to the next with effortless confidence.

There's also a healthy streak of eccentricity bubbling beneath the surface. Deep Purple have always possessed a slightly mischievous side, and Splat! embraces that spirit wholeheartedly. Even during its heavier moments, there's an underlying sense that the band are having fun, refusing to become trapped beneath the weight of their own legendary status. That playful confidence gives the record its personality and prevents it from becoming just another exercise in classic rock competence.

For long-time fans, there are countless little touches that recall why Deep Purple became giants in the first place. The blues foundations remain firmly intact, but they're filtered through decades of experience, experimentation and absolute musical confidence. The result feels authentic rather than calculated. Nothing here sounds forced, and that's increasingly rare.

New listeners might even be surprised by just how energetic the album feels. There's no sense of veteran musicians carefully conserving energy. Instead, Splat! bristles with vitality. The grooves hit hard, the riffs carry genuine swagger, and the performances radiate the kind of confidence that only comes from thousands of nights on stage and decades spent honing a collective instinct.

If there's a criticism to be made, it's that Splat! rarely sets out to shock anyone. Those hoping for radical reinvention or genre-defying experimentation may find themselves looking elsewhere. But that misses the point entirely. Deep Purple aren't trying to rewrite their story, they're adding another thoroughly enjoyable chapter. And when the chapter is written with this much conviction, craftsmanship and groove, who's complaining?

‘Arrogant Boy’ kicks the doors in with a swaggering riff and a chorus that refuses to leave your head. Vintage Purple attitude with just enough modern bite.

‘Diablo’ turns darker, driven by a brooding groove and smoky atmosphere. The guitar work is fiery without becoming self-indulgent, while the rhythm section keeps everything locked down.

‘The Rider’ shifts into cruising mode, all rolling rhythms and open-road energy. It's melodic, punchy and effortlessly cool.

Things get stranger with ‘The Lunatic’, a twisting rocker packed with tempo changes and theatrical flourishes. It flirts with progressive rock without disappearing down the rabbit hole.

‘The Only Horse In Town’ injects a welcome sense of humour. Beneath the quirky title lies an infectious blues-rock stomper full of cheeky lyrical winks and playful musicianship.

‘Sacred Land’ provides the emotional heart of the album. Rich keyboards, soaring vocals and restrained guitar combine to create one of the record's standout moments.

‘The Beating Of Wings’ builds patiently before exploding into a muscular chorus. The dynamics here are superb, reminding listeners that Deep Purple still know exactly how to craft tension and release.

‘Guilt Trippin'’ brings the funkier side of the band to the surface. The groove is irresistible, the solos tasteful, and the entire performance sounds like five musicians having genuine fun.

The wonderfully titled ‘Scriblin' Gib'rish’ is exactly the sort of offbeat experiment long-time fans have come to expect. It shouldn't work, but somehow its organised chaos becomes oddly addictive.

‘Jessica's Bra’ continues the tongue-in-cheek approach with a rollicking pub-rock energy. It's light-hearted without feeling throwaway, proving that serious musicians don't always have to take themselves seriously.

‘Third Call’ slows the pace slightly, delivering a reflective piece built around expressive vocals and tasteful instrumental restraint. Sometimes less really is more.

‘My New Movie’ cranks everything back up, blending cinematic flair with crunching riffs and an anthemic chorus that practically demands to be played live.

The title track, ‘Splat!’, closes proceedings in explosive fashion. Equal parts hard rock workout and celebratory jam; it leaves the listener grinning from ear to ear.

Ultimately, Splat! succeeds because it understands exactly what makes Deep Purple special. It's not just the riffs, the solos or the iconic organ sound. It's the chemistry, the feel, the swagger and the complete absence of pretension. This is classic rock played by masters who still believe the groove is king and the riff remains rock 'n' roll's greatest weapon.

In an era where many legendary bands seem content to trade on memories, Deep Purple continue to create music that stands proudly on its own merits. Splat! doesn't ask for your respect because of the name on the sleeve, it earns it every time those gloriously groove-heavy riffs roll out of the speakers. It may not rewrite rock history, but it reminds us why Deep Purple helped write it in the first place. And after all these years, that's still one hell of an achievement.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Arrogant Boy’

Review by Woody