Deep Purple is having a very colorful year so far. Not only is the band on a massive tour right now, but they are promoting a new album and releasing multiple singles ahead of its release. The latest from the forthcoming Splat! is “Guilt Trippin’,” a high-energy hard rock anthem.
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Speaking with Classic Rock about the making of the song, DP lead singer Ian Gillan said, “The song starts, and I’m in the studio. I don’t have any words for it yet. So I just start screaming. It was the pure joy of yelling at it.”
He added, “I vowed when I was 40 that I’d stop screaming by the time I was 60. Now I’m looking back and thinking, ‘Whatever happened to that?’ So we’ll give it a go.”
Beginning with a delicate piano intro, the track then gives way to driving guitar riffs and a buoyant rhythm, which usher in an electric vocal performance via Gillan. The lyrics imagine Charles Darwin and GodAlmighty drinking a pint at a pub, reflecting on how humanity didn’t go according to plan.
Reviews of the song, however, seem to be right on target.
Thus far, music experts are calling the song “exhilarating,” “supercharged,” and “a blast.” Blabbermouth goes so far as to say the track is one of the album’s “most unpredictable and exhilarating moments — and one of Ian Gillan’s most memorable vocal performances on the album.”
The band also released a music video to go with the single. In the visuals, the surreal concept is brought to life through a dreamlike journey of a housefly and sycamore-seed spaceship. You have to see it (above) to make it make sense.
“Guilt Trippin’” is the third single off DP’s 24th studio album. It follows “Diablo,” released earlier this month, and “Arrogant Boy,” dropped in May. The album, set to arrive July 3, was produced by frequent DP collaborator Bob Ezrin. Preorder is available now.
As the band continue their tour through Europe, they are also gracing the cover of Classic Rock magazine this month. According to the publication’s website, the band gets into the nitty-gritty of making Splat!within the issue’s pages.
For those waiting for the North American leg of the tour to kick off, that happens in August. Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Formed in 1968, Deep Purple has one founding member still in its lineup, drummer Ian Paice. Gillan and bassist Roger Glover, who joined in 1969, remain active members. And the current lineup is rounded out by keyboardist Don Airey and guitarist Simon McBride.
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