Deep Purple has been full of amazing headlines in recent weeks. Following their forthcoming album announcement, Splat!, to their joint North American tour with Kansas and Jefferson Starship this August, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are still riffing “Smoke on the Water” more than five decades later.
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Now, Deep Purple have revealed another surprise. The pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock just announced a slick new music video for “Diablo,” the second single from Splat! featuring a surprising guest appearance from country superstar Keith Urban.
According toLouder’s Classic Rock, the new song “opens the door to one of Deep Purple’s surreal new story worlds: the most dangerous place on earth, where a heroine crosses a river, jumps into a fighting pit, celebrates with a bucket of wine, falls into the glitter pool and somehow makes it back home with a tale to tell.” As one does.
The biggest headline, however, may be Urban’s involvement. The Australian country star contributed guitar work to the new “Diablo” visuals, creating an unlikely collaboration between one of classic rocks’ most influential bands and one of modern country’s biggest names. Urban’s recent projects have ranged from a yacht-rock cover album to a performance with ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons.
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Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan adds that the YOLO tune is all about taking chances and embracing adventure.
“Just for once in your life, do something exciting, step out of the mould, take that curious bend in the road instead of sticking to the highway and do something that will, for the rest of your life, either guide or warn you,” he explained.
The “Diablo” video news follows the release of the band’s first Splat! single, “Arrogant Boy,” which arrived May 12.
Fans can tune in Sunday at 8 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET, when bassist Roger Glover will join the YouTube premiere of the new Deep Purple music video for a live chat.
Produced by frequent Deep Purple collaborator Bob Ezrin, Splat! will be released July 3 via earMUSIC in an array of formats, from black or double purple vinyl, to limited-edition box set and CD.
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