THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Deep Purple — one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time — are back with their 23rd studio album =1.
Featuring 13 tracks of pioneering and rip-roaring rock ’n’ roll, =1 finds Deep Purple continue their charge of recent years, adding yet more layers, accolades and achievements to their legacy of 100 million album sales.
The band are credited as one of the key originators of heavy rock and have constantly pushed the boundaries of their music. They are fronted by the legendary Ian Gillan, whose vocals have defined generations, accompanied by the masterful bassist Roger Glover, the powerhouse drummer Ian Paice, and the maestro on keyboards Don Airey.
This is the band’s first album with sensational guitarist Simon McBride, who seamlessly slotted in when longtime member Steve Morse left due to personal circumstances. Since 2022, Simon has already played to Deep Purple audiences totaling more than half a million people.
But of course, Deep Purple are more than just the sum of their membership. And =1 embodies the essence and attitude of their 1970s incarnation possibly more than any other album in recent memory. With the legendary Bob Ezrin once again producing, the record evokes the pioneering band’s classic sound, without relying on nostalgia.
The enigmatic title =1 symbolises the idea that in a world growing ever more complex, everything eventually simplifies down to a single, unified essence. Everything equals one. With three consecutive No. 1 albums in their back pocket and a resurgent new energy powering them forward, this is Deep Purple at their pinnacle.”
