Deep Purple complete work on their 20th studio album
Keyboardist Don Airey says it’s now in the hands of producer Bob Ezrin.
Deep Purple have finished recording their 20th studio album, keyboardist Don Airey has confirmed.
Airey, who replaced the late, great, Jon Lord in the band in 2002, says the follow-up to 2013’s acclaimed ‘Now What?!’ is now in the mixing stages.
Speaking to Russian publication TASS ahead of Deep Purple’s show at the Olimpiyskiy Arena in Moscow tonight, Airey said: "As far as I know, it's all recorded and now… it's on the tender mercies of Bob Ezrin, he's going to mix it.
“I haven't been given a release date, I know nothing about that as yet. If I knew, I'd tell you but I don't.”
However, Airey ruled out performing songs from the record on Deep Purple’s upcoming live shows in Europe throughout the summer.
"We won't play anything from the new album until the album is released," he insisted.
Elsewhere in the interview, Airey poked fun at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony earlier this year where Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and Ian Paice picked up Deep Purple’s induction. Classic band members Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Glenn Hughes and Jon Lord were also honoured.
"I wasn't an inductee, I was an abductee, I was taken there by force. They made me play,” Airey joked.
“It was a wonderful evening. You know, it doesn't bother me at all, I was just pleased for Roger and the two Ians. You know, they really deserve it. And it was a wonderful evening, for all concerned."