4. June 2022
Actually, Def Leppard might rest on the laurels of the past. But that’s out of the question for the hard rock band from Sheffield, who are now releasing their twelfth album. The Brits don’t just love their job, they are ardent music fans.
So on “Diamond Star Halos” you can hear here and there the influences of their glam rock idols — some Mott The Hoople (“Take What You Want”), a thick helping of T. Rex (“Kick”). Overall, Def Leppard remain true to their classic, powerful sound with fat guitar riffs, driving drums and distinctive band choral singing. A song like “SOS Emergency” would also have fit on the mega-seller “Hysteria” from 1987.
Def Leppard has duetted with country stars Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and even Taylor Swift. The new album features Alison Krauss singing “This Guitar” and “Lifeless” with Elliott.
David Bowie’s longtime pianist Mike Garson refines “Goodbye For Good This Time” and “Angels (Can’t Help You Now)” with his keyboard playing. Experience has shown that the two power ballads with thick strings should be more popular with fans in the USA than with the more riff-oriented fan community in Europe.
Diamond Star Halos has something for everyone. The 15 partly very different new songs of the former MTV stars harmonize surprisingly well.
