Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

XS ROCK

Featured Articles

Def Leppard’s Change In Sound: The Tale Of Two Leppards

Def Leppard's Change In Sound: The Tale Of Two Leppards

Def Leppard is arguably one of the most successful bands to emerge from the 80’s hard rock and heavy metal scene.  The band found success early on, hitting the scene with their debut full-length album “On Through The Night” in 1980. Followed up, only one year later with “High N’ Dry”, the band was quickly gaining a large fan base and praise worldwide.  Def Leppard hit the big time with “Pyromania” in 1983 striking up huge record sales sparked by the enormously popular single “Photograph”.  Def Leppard was now a household name.    Everything seemed to be going the band’s way but tragedy was soon to strike the band and unfortunately, more than once.

Starting on December 31st, drummer Rick Allen’s Corvette veered off of the road and the accident caused Allen to lose his arm.  Most assumed his career was over with the band, but both Allen and the other members of Def Leppard were determined to continue together.  Rick Allen worked with Simmons Drums to develop a custom drumkit that would allow him to use his foot to handle the parts that he could no longer do without his left arm.  I have to give both Def Leppard and Rick Allen a tremendous amount of respect for weathering a storm as significant as this.  It would be three years of recording before the band would release “Hysteria” to massive critical acclaim. It’s Def Leppard’s biggest selling record to date.

Tragedy would soon strike the band for a second time when guitarist Steve Clark died of a lethal mix of prescription drugs and alcohol in 1991.

It is my personal belief that these two events lead to Def Leppard’s split personality in their sound.  Prior to “Hysteria” being released, Def Leppard owed more of their trademark sound to being influenced by bands like AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, and UFO.  More keyboards and electronic drums were introduced starting with Hysteria.  I believe this has a lot to do with Allen’s injury.  The band could make it all fit in a more cohesive manner with newly inserted pop influences.  And thus began the change from a more hard rock/melodic metal sound to a more slightly subdued pop-rock.

The death of Steve Clark officially tilted the band’s sound and direction to an even more pop-influenced sound that completed Def Leppard’s metamorphosis away from a heavier rock sound.

The band continued to explore lighter musical fair on albums like Slang, Euphoria, X, Yeah! and Songs From The Sparkle Lounge.  Def Leppard’s latest release in 2015,  simply entitled “Def Leppard” had more than a slight nod in sound to their “Hysteria” album, but the band seems have crossed a line that they are not likely to ever return from with the more pop-ish sound being favored for their hard rocking sonics of the past.

No one can say that things haven’t worked out great for Def Leppard, regardless of which sound you prefer.  While the band’s change in sound caused some division within their fan base, it’s also true that many fans have liked Def Leppard throughout their entire career.

Def Leppard was inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame in 2019 and continue to sell out concert venues worldwide.

You can get enjoy Def Leppard’s sound with Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the band’s box set.

Def Leppard released the box set called Volume 1 in 2018  featuring the following material:

On Through the Night
High ‘n’ Dry
Pyromania
Hysteria
Rarities Volume One
Live at the L.A. Forum 1983
The Def Leppard E.P.

 

 

 

 

The band is set to release the box set for Volume 2 on June 21, 2019, which contains the following material:

Adrenalize
Retro Active
Slang
Euphoria
Rarities Volume Two
Rarities Volume Three
Rarities Volume Four

 

 

 

 

http://www.defleppard.com/

https://www.facebook.com/defleppard/

You May Also Like

Featured Articles

During the 80’s hard rock ruled the airwaves. Quiet Riot’s Metal Health became the first #1 metal album of all time. Soon after the...

Hard Rock & Metal

Recently, I received an advanced release for Josh Todd & The Conflict’s debut album, “Year Of The Tiger”. Most of you probably know Josh...

Featured Articles

For every Motley Crue, Def Leppard, and Van Halen, There were many other bands that were really good, but somehow didn’t quite make it...

Hard Rock & Metal

Britny Fox was formed in 1985 with “Dizzy” Dean Davidson on vocals, former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra, former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith and...

Hard Rock & Metal

Formed in 1982 by Tom Keifer and Eric Brittingham, Cinderella was one of the biggest bands of the ’80s rock and metal era.  Following several...

Christian Rock & Metal

01. Stryper-Stryper has to be at the top of this list. Not because I think they’re the best, but because their contribution to Christian...

Featured Articles

  Battle Axe – Burn This Town Burn this town? More like burn this album cover! Although, apparently this was only supposed to be...

Featured Articles

The 1980s and early 90s saw hard rock and heavy metal go mainstream and reach a large audience worldwide. The genre was split into...

Featured Articles

During the 80’s glam and melodic metal ruled the airwaves. For all of the bands that made it big, there were plenty of other...

80s Rock & Pop

The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde Wants Nothing To Do With The Rock Hall of Fame...Even After Being Inducted

80s Rock & Pop

Chrissie Hynde, the vocalist for the Pretenders, took to social media to vent her frustrations with the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame, even...

80s Rock & Pop

Often reclusive rock star Billy Squier has returned with his first new song in 25 years. The new track called “Harder On A Woman”...

80s Rock & Pop

Lionel Richie has announced the tour of a lifetime performing his solo hits on tour along with Earth Wind and Fire. Lionel Richie /...

80s Singer Kenny Loggins (Known For Footloose, Top Gun) Announces Final Tour 80s Singer Kenny Loggins (Known For Footloose, Top Gun) Announces Final Tour

80s Rock & Pop

Kenny Loggins has announced his final concert tour.  The “This Is It” tour will kick off on March 10 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts...

Debbie Gibson Pays Heartwarming Tribute To Her Late Mother Debbie Gibson Pays Heartwarming Tribute To Her Late Mother

80s Rock & Pop

80s Icon Debbie Gibson recently shared this post on her Facebook page in a moving tribute to her Mother: We covered a lot of...

80s Rock & Pop

DURAN DURAN ANNOUNCE 2023 NORTH AMERICAN FUTURE PAST ARENA TOUR. BRITISH ROCK BAND BASTILLE JOIN  NILE RODGERS & CHIC AS SPECIAL GUESTS ON ALL DATES PRE-SALE BEGINS FEBRUARY...

Alternative-Punk-Electronic

Love And Rockets Announce First U.S. Tour Dates In 14 Years

Alternative / Punk

Love And Rockets, comprised of Bauhaus members Daniel Ash, David J, and Kevin Haskins will hit the road for a U.S. Tour in 2023....

U.K. Subs To Release Live Album "Music Machine London 8/8/80" U.K. Subs To Release Live Album "Music Machine London 8/8/80"

Alternative / Punk

The UK Subs will release the previously unreleased album Music Machine London 8/8/80 on May 19, 2023. • Vintage live show from the British...

Alternative / Punk

In celebration of 36 years, MY LIFE WITH THE THRILL KILL KULT will hit the road after a four-year hiatus. The “Evil Eye Tour”...

Agnostic Front's Vinnie Stigma Immortalized As New Throbblehead Figure Agnostic Front's Vinnie Stigma Immortalized As New Throbblehead Figure

Alternative / Punk

Vinnie Stigma, the godfather of NYHC and frontman of AGNOSTIC FRONT, has joined the Throbblehead crew. The statue is limited to 500 numbered units,...

White Stripes Releases 20th Anniversary Edition Of Elephant Album Deluxe Edition White Stripes Releases 20th Anniversary Edition Of Elephant Album Deluxe Edition

Alternative / Punk

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of Elephant, The White Stripes are celebrating with two special releases! Largely recorded over two weeks in April...

Watch Brand New Killing Joke Video For "Full Spectrum Dominance" Watch Brand New Killing Joke Video For "Full Spectrum Dominance"

Alternative / Punk

KILLING JOKE are proud to announce the release of brand new single, “Full Spectrum Dominance”, via Spinefarm, to celebrate their sold-out headline show at London’s...

Rock News

Pink Floyd Release 50th Anniversary Dark Side Of The Moon Deluxe Box Set

Rock

Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side Of The Moon is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a deluxe box set to commemorate one of the best-selling...

Laura Cox Delivers Knockout Blow with New Album “Head Above Water” Laura Cox Delivers Knockout Blow with New Album “Head Above Water”

Music Reviews

Laura Cox has been blazing a trail on the French and European rock/blues scene over the past 11 years, but she has been largely...

Rock

Considered by many to be one of the best rock guitarists of all time, Beck died peacefully after a short battle with bacterial meningitis....

2 Must-Have Jimi Hendrix Releases 2 Must-Have Jimi Hendrix Releases

Rock

Jimi Hendrix — Burning Desire On these studio recordings with bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles in the wake of the dissolution of the...

Tom Petty Estate Pursues Legal Action Against Kari Lake's Use Of "I Won't Back Down" in Campaign Tom Petty Estate Pursues Legal Action Against Kari Lake's Use Of "I Won't Back Down" in Campaign

80s Rock & Pop

Tom Petty Estate Pursues Legal Action Against Kari Lake's Use Of "I Won't Back Down" in Campaign

Hard Rock & Metal News

Prepare yourself for a metal rampage the likes of which you haven’t enjoyed in many a year as New Wave of British Heavy Metal stalwarts RAVEN deliver the electric mayhem of All Hell’s Breaking Loose, their 15th studio album, set for release June 30th on Silver Lining Music.

Hard Rock & Metal

Prepare yourself for a metal rampage the likes of which you haven’t enjoyed in many a year as New Wave of British Heavy Metal...

DEVILDRIVER to Release New Album, 'Dealing With Demons Vol. II' DEVILDRIVER to Release New Album, 'Dealing With Demons Vol. II'

Hard Rock & Metal

Groove Metal Icons DEVILDRIVER to Release New Album, ‘Dealing With Demons Vol. II’, On May 12, 2023 via Napalm Records Watch the Official Music...

Watch New L.A. Guns Video For "Diamonds" Watch New L.A. Guns Video For "Diamonds"

Hard Rock & Metal

Produced by founding member and guitarist, Tracii Guns, ‘Black Diamonds’ is a tour-de-force of rock ‘n roll that fans have come to expect from...

HYPOCRISY Release first chapter of re-issues HYPOCRISY Release first chapter of re-issues

Hard Rock & Metal

In November 2021, death metal titans HYPOCRISY released their 13th studio album Worship to massive acclaim from fans and media ending up in the top ranks of many...

'The Devil’s Dozen' will be released as: Digipak, 2xAudio CD, 1x BluRay, 1x DVD on April 14, 2023 via Napalm Records. The DVD/BluRay track list is as follows: 1. Intro 2. Pendulum 3. Mold 4. Endless Stairs 5. Black Gold 6. Serendipity 7. Dead Mannequin 8. Passerby 9. Lure 10. Storm 11. Stop Waiting 12. Dancing Alone 13. Me Against You 14. Enslaved By A Dream 15. Judgemental Trap 16. Freaky Carnival 17. Fool The Gravity 18. Orphan Soul 19. Peculiar Kind Of Sanity 20. The Earth Mantra 21. Sweet, Sweet Lies 22. Taphephobia 'The Devil’s Dozen' will be released as: Digipak, 2xAudio CD, 1x BluRay, 1x DVD on April 14, 2023 via Napalm Records. The DVD/BluRay track list is as follows: 1. Intro 2. Pendulum 3. Mold 4. Endless Stairs 5. Black Gold 6. Serendipity 7. Dead Mannequin 8. Passerby 9. Lure 10. Storm 11. Stop Waiting 12. Dancing Alone 13. Me Against You 14. Enslaved By A Dream 15. Judgemental Trap 16. Freaky Carnival 17. Fool The Gravity 18. Orphan Soul 19. Peculiar Kind Of Sanity 20. The Earth Mantra 21. Sweet, Sweet Lies 22. Taphephobia

Hard Rock & Metal

In November 2021, in support of their much acclaimed fifth studio album – the futuristic ‘Ecdysis’ (2022) – Moldovan progressive metal unit INFECTED RAIN...

Former Iron Maiden Vocalist Blaze Bayley Suffers Heart Attack Former Iron Maiden Vocalist Blaze Bayley Suffers Heart Attack

Hard Rock & Metal

Blaze Bayley’s management team has announced the following regarding his condition: We sincerely regret to announce that Blaze had a heart attack at home...