Deep Purple releases new album 'Splat

British rock group Deep Purple has issued its latest studio album, Splat!. The record features vocalist Ian Gillan, drummer Ian Paice, bassist Roger Glover, guitarist Simon McBride and keyboardist Don Airey, with production by Bob Ezrin. Reviews note the band's continued willingness to blend classic hard‑rock energy with prog‑rock elements; one reviewer gave the album a 3‑out of‑5 rating, while another rated it 9‑out‑of‑10. Critics praised the instrumental performances, especially Airey’s keyboards and McBride’s guitar work, but also pointed to uneven songwriting and a mid‑album dip in energy. The release coincides with an extensive 86‑date world tour, and the band’s drummer commented that AI copying his parts would not bother him.