Def Leppard - Def Leppard

Def Leppard is the eleventh studio album by British hard rock band Def Leppard, released in October 2015 via Bludgeon Riffola Records and earMusic.

There are two ways to look at an eponymous album by a band well into its fourth decade of existence: it's either a rebirth or a summation. In the case of Def Leppard, it’s most certainly the latter.

A nifty encapsulation of the group's range, obsessions, and ambitions. At 55 minutes, Def Leppard feels nearly as sprawling as ‘Hysteria’. But where that 1987 classic pulsates with the arrogance of a band hungering to conquer the world, this set is distinguished by the casual authority of a band who remain a band solely for the love of it.

Unlike many groups with decades of experience under their belts, Def Leppard aren't particularly concerned with maturity, at least not in the conventional sense where they turn in fuzz guitars and heavy-booted stomps for sepia-toned reflections. They're still pledging allegiance to glam and heavy metal, favouring arena-sized riffs, and slathering their productions with vocal harmonies and guitars.

Most of Def Leppard stays firmly within the band's wheelhouse - muscular descendants of glitter alternating with power ballads - and the group is confident enough to flirt with disco ("Man Enough") and electronic beats ("Energized"), which is just enough to give this record an appealingly modern kick.

This is a summation of where the band is now. They love the past, both their own and their inspirations, but they're not looking back, they're loving the life they live.

This double album 2LP record set is on 180 gram black vinyl housed in a gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeves, pressed in Germany via Bludgeon Riffola and earMusic.