Deep Purple Announce New Album Splat and World Tour

Deep Purple have announced the release of their 24th studio album, Splat!, which is scheduled for arrival on July 3, 2026. The project, distributed via earMUSIC, serves as the follow-up to the band’s 2024 record =1.

Alongside the new album, the legendary rock outfit has confirmed an expansive 86-date world tour taking place throughout the remainder of 2026. The tour will span Europe, North America, and South America, marking one of the band’s most ambitious touring schedules in recent years.

A Return to Heavy Roots

For the production of Splat!, Deep Purple reunited with celebrated producer Bob Ezrin, whose professional credits include work with Pink Floyd, KISS, and Lou Reed. The recording process focused on a live-in-studio approach, with the band laying down tracks together to capture a more immediate energy.

The resulting sound has been described as one of the group’s heaviest offerings in several years. Lead singer Ian Gillan suggested that the current lineup has captured a spirit reminiscent of the band’s early peak.

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 seventies. 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. Deep Purple is in a great place right now.Ian Gillan

Physical Editions and Tracklist

The album will be released in several physical formats, including a CD digisleeve and a comprehensive 2LP gatefold 180g boxset. The boxset includes a 12-page booklet and three exclusive 10-inch vinyl records containing live recordings from the band’s 2024 tour.

an exclusive 7-inch vinyl will be available featuring the bonus track GUINNESIS.

The tracklist for Splat! consists of 13 songs:

• 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!

2026 World Tour Details

The upcoming world tour begins in June 2026 with dates in Finland and Norway before moving through Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy. The itinerary then shifts to North America in August, with stops in the United States and Canada, followed by a return to Europe in September, and October.

A major highlight of the UK leg is a scheduled performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall on November 25, 2026. The tour will conclude in December 2026 with dates in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Mexico.

Ian Gillan’s Health and Adaptation

The announcement of the new album and tour comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the health of frontman Ian Gillan. In 2025, Gillan revealed that he is suffering from significant vision loss, stating that he retains only 30 percent of his eyesight.

While Gillan previously mentioned that retirement was not far off due to these challenges, he has emphasized his ability to adapt to his condition to continue his professional work.

It’s one of those things. I’ve only got 30 per cent vision. That won’t get better. It makes life mysterious. The hardest thing is working on my laptop. I can’t see anything on the screen unless I use my peripheral vision – I pick up a line by looking at it sideways. But you find a way. You adapt.Ian Gillan

Despite the visual impairment, Gillan remains the driving force of the band’s vocals as they enter this new chapter with Splat! and their most extensive tour in recent history.