| Ready to ignite 2022, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®-inducted icons and rock music legends Def Leppard return with their twelfth full-length album, Diamond Star Halos [UMe], on May 27th. It marks the band’s first new work since 2015’s chart-topping self-titled, Def Leppard. It is available for pre-order now in multiple configurations, including a Deluxe Edition, 2-LP Vinyl, Digital formats and more. Exclusive bundles including newly designed album merch have also launched. Pre-order on the band’s official store—here. |
| To herald the arrival of Diamond Star Halos, the UK quintet—Joe Elliott [vocals], Rick Savage [bass], Rick Allen [drums], Phil Collen [guitar], and Vivian Campbell [guitar]— have just shared a powerful and rip-roaring new rock single entitled Kick (listen below). The song thrusts into an anthemic stadium-ready frenzy kickstarted with driving guitars and bombastic drums woven into its musical fabric. Meanwhile, the chorus has all the makings of another iconic Leppard hit with its skyscraping vocals and melodies the band has become synonymous for. The artwork for Diamond Star Halos is art in itself. The design follows pedigree with their instantly recognizable album covers from their celebrated past. With images by world renowned photographer and director Anton Corbijn, styling concepts by Maryam Malakpour and graphics by the UK based Munden Brothers, the design truly follows the band’s influence through their eyes today. |
| Stay tuned for the premiere of the music video very soon. Following the album’s release, Def Leppard will co-headline the massive 36 city The Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe joined by special guests Poison and Joan Jett, see the entire itinerary, here. |
| Over the past two years, Def Leppard recorded Diamond Star Halos simultaneously in three different countries with Joe in Ireland, Sav in England, and Phil, Vivian, and Rick in the United States. Without the pressure of timelines or a fixed schedule, they poured all of their energy into crafting 15 meaningful tracks with a mixture of classic spirit meets modern fire. Thematically, they nodded to their earliest collective influences such as David Bowie, T. Rex, and Mott The Hoople, among others. The title itself notably references T. Rex’s Bang a Gong (Get It On). However, they didn’t embark on this journey alone. The multi-Grammy award winning and legendary artist Alison Krauss lent her instantly recognizable and angelic voice to This Guitar and Lifeless, while David Bowie pianist Mike Garson performs on Goodbye For Good This Time and Angels (Can’t Help You Now). |
| Diamond Star Halos track listing: 1. Take What You Want 2. Kick 3. Fire It Up 4. This Guitar [feat. Alison Krauss] 5. SOS Emergency 6. Liquid Dust 7. U Rok Mi 8. Goodbye For Good This Time 9. All We Need 10. Open Your Eyes 11. Gimme A Kiss 12. Angels (Can’t Help You Now) 13. Lifeless [feat. Alison Krauss] 14. Unbreakable 15. From Here To Eternity |
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17 Responses
Eh, it’s ok, the music sounds alot like Jett’s “I Hate Myself For Loving You,” in my opinion.
Doug, agreed with the J.J. comparison on first listen. And that’s not a positive.
After the second listen, with reading the lyrics, I liked it more.
We’ve waited 7 years for new music and I want better. Reminds me of waiting for Hysteria in ’87 and the first single was “Women” and I wanted Pyromania 2. Maybe the Lepps don’t know how to pick a lead single. Hopefully, this new album will be great after all like Hysteria ended up being.
Well I can see if they play that show on the Stadium tour Joan Jett might come out and KICK Elliot’s a**
Its hooky and has a nice little groove to it. However, to these ears, there is only two albums worth owning in my collection, On Through The Night and High N, Dry.
I could have said Pyromania but to me, it has not aged well at all. Never cared for the reversed drum sound on that record, although there are some gems on there.
Pyromania is still my favorite, with High N’ Dry a very close second.
Jeff, I concur with your comment that “On Through…” and “High n Dry”, in addition to their self financed EP, are their best releases. They stopped being a rock band and became more of a heavy pop oriented band.
Aside from the T. Rex reference in the album title, the song itself has a total T. Rex vibe. I dig it – a lot!
Once again Def Leppard delivers fresh and relevant new music. Based on their quality of songs, live performances, and longevity, Def Leppard has to enter the conversation as one of the greatest bands in rock and roll history right up there with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. I feel confident saying this although I’m sure I’m alone in my statement.
Doug you are so right. It does sound like Joan Jett.
My problem with Def Leppard is they started out as a band emulating bands like AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and UFO. Since 1987 it seems as if Joe has taken over total control of the bands musical direction with his glam T.Rex/Bowie/Mott The Hoople obsession. I tried to get into the early 70s glam thing but to my ears it sound very very dated. I do like a few of their later songs like White Lightning off Adrenalize and even Promises. I don’t know I guess I was just hoping for a much heavier output after those first two albums.
I wish someone would conduct an in depth interview with Pete Willis on Def Leppards early days
Jeff, I get what you’re saying about Joe’s glam influences. I thought the reason he did his side projects like Down’N’Outz was to feed that glam obsession. Don’t bring it to DL too.
Great point on Pete Willis. Unfortunately, with Pete being replaced by Phil, and Steve’s passing, Def Leppard lost that AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, UFO & Led Zep edge.