Legendary band from the UK. They were pioneers in the NWOBHM, and is one of the few bands, together with Iron Maiden and Saxon, that are still around from that scene. Known for big production, using endlessly long time between records, and their one-armed drummer. Def Leppard was MTV favorites in the late 80's, and the beginning of the 90's. Multi-million selling band, with numerous #1 single hits.

HIGH 'N' DRY (1981, 1984) MERCURY/PHONOGRAM

I never really bothered to collect Def Leppard discs. I like the band, but never prioritized buying their records. But when a couple of them popped up very cheap at a web-auction, I figured why not? And I must say I'm pleased with my purchase. This 1981 released sounds so fresh, even today. These NWOBHM pioneers sounded so much better without all the polished production. 'High 'n' Dry' is simply a great hard-rock album! Great melodies, and great production. The band really made some waves with this record as well, and had a huge hit with "Bringin' On The Heartbreak". This album is excellent evening background music. You can even put it in the background at a candlelight dinner, without the missus complaining! My version have 2 extra tracks, remixed in 1984. But I'm not sure it's a re-issue, rather than just the first CD version.

Killer tracks: Another Hit And Run, You Got Me Runnin', Bringin' On The Heartbreak, On Through The Night

PYROMANIA (1983) PHONOGRAM/VERTIGO

'Pyromania' is kind off like a bridge between the NWOBHM Def Leppard, and the over-produced, hit making Def Leppard. You can sense both versions of the band here. Songs like "Too Late For Love" is clearly a radio-friendly ballad, whilst "Die Hard The Hunter" has that hungry band vibe in it. Most of the songs are very good, and I pop this one in every now and then. Off all the albums this band has released, 'Pyromania' is to me the ultimate Def Leppard album. I don't rate it as their best, but it has the best of both sides of the band.

Killer tracks: Photograph, Too Late For Love, Die Hard The Hunter, Foolin', Action! Not Words

HYSTERIA (1987) BLUDGEON RIFFOLA/PHONOGRAM

Women Rocket Animal Love Bites Pour Some Sugar On Me Armageddon It Gods Of War Don't Shoot Shotgun Run Riot Hysteria Excitable Love And Affection

Line-up: Rick Allen: Drums Phil Collen: Guitars Joe Elliott: Lead Vocals Steve Clark: Guitars Rick Savage: Bass

There's not much to say about this album, that isn't already said. Being one of the best selling albums of all time, in any given genre, earning the band some quadruple platinum plus albums (or so), "everyone" owns or has at some point owned this album! So what is it with this record, that made it sell millions of copies worldwide? Well, I honestly don't know. Sure it has plenty of radio-friendly songs, and it isn't much one would label as metal on here. But that is also the big problem with the record, it's too darn nice! The sound is so polished, I almost get a toothache from the sweetness of the sound! (Hey, they even called one song "Pour Some Sugar On Me"!! (-: ). But this is not to say that I don't like it, because I really do. Heck, even my wife loves it. It's just that I can only take this much of it, and then I have to retire it for a while. This album will probably be played more by my wife, then by me.

Rock trivia: Bludgeon Riffola is the bands own label. They used it for their domestic (British) releases. The name came from one of the earliest reviews the band got. The journalist trashed the band, calling their sound a bludgeon riffola!

Killer tracks: Animal, Love Bites, Armageddon It, Hysteria

ADRENALIZE (1992) BLUDGEON RIFFOLA/PHONOGRAM

Can you find a more polished sound than the one on this record? This is an MTV pleasing record, made not true to the band and fans, but to get airplay. I like some of the songs, but Def Leppard were a much better band when they were still proud hard rockers. People was waiting for this album, but I don't think most of the die hard fans were pleased.

Killer tracks: Let's Get Rocked, Make Love Like A Man

GREATEST HITS: VAULT 1980 - 1995 (1995) BLUDGEON RIFFOLA/MERCURY

CD1: VAULT 1980 - 1985 Pour Some Sugar On Me (video edit) Photograph Love Bites Let's Get Rocked Two Steps Behind (acoustic version) Animal Heaven Is Rocket (video edit) When Love & Hate Collide (previously unreleased) Action (Sweet cover) Make Love Like A Man Armageddon It Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad Rock Of Ages Hysteria Bringin' On The Heartbreak
CD2: Limited Edition Live CD (Don Valley, Sheffield, UK, June 6th 1993) Let's Get Rocked Armageddon It Foolin' Rocket Two Steps Behind Pour Some Sugar On Me Rock Of Ages Love Bites Photograph

Greatest Hits packages can be really hit or miss. I usually pick them up if I get them really cheap, or if they come with some interesting unreleased material. I guess this fell in the first category. 'Vault' is all about the radio/MTV hits, and not about giving us a perspective on the bands career. The songs are not in any chronological order. And they even chose to include the video edits on some of the tracks. I brought this double CD out of retirement in time for seeing the band live for the first time in May 2008. Since it also included a bonus live disc, sold with the initial European pressing of this package, I thought it would be a good way of getting in touch with the band again. My feelings towards just that are mixed. My love for Def Leppard was never triggered by the hits. Neither did I get to know them based on MTV. I fell in love with them when they were still a NWOBHM act, and even though I've liked most of the albums they've released thru the years, I still don't consider the hits this bands shining moments. And it's getting more and more evident throughout this compilation CD that Def Leppard's hits were always the most radio-friendly, sugar-sweet songs, and not the real rockers. The only previously unreleased song here is named "When Love & Hate Collide" was actually written for 'Adrenalize', but wasn't recorded 'til now. And this sappy ballad sounds like something Bryan Adams would reject! The bonus live CD is actually a good representation of what this band sounds like live. No overdubs or other touch-ups, just the band, the stage and the music. So don't expect super production, but rather a nice documentary of the band anno 1993. 'Vault' does have one function though. It works as a good enough closure of the bands first 15 years as recording artist. And when you know the atrocity that happens next (read:'Slang'), then I'd rather put on this compilation over and over to get my Def Leppard fix. My limited edition comes with a cardboard sleeve with the albums cover art. But the booklet has an alternate cover, both pictured above. The booklet comes with a nice band history write-up, and track-by-track commentary from band members.

SLANG (1996) BLUDGEON RIFFOLA/MERCURY (2-CD)

The British lads decided to go and experiment a little this time around. And the result is a total disaster. The sound is so different, although it kind off suits them, it doesn't stand a chance even with the most die-hard fans. I guess that if the songs had been better, most of this could have been forgiven. But when even the songwriting fails, nothing can help this sinking ship out! The only reason for owning this, is if you get the special double edition. At least here we get some acoustic version of some of the old goodies.

Killer tracks: Truth?

EUPHORIA (1999) BLUDGEON RIFFOLA/MERCURY

This album was said to be a return to form for Def Leppard. And I've read numerous good reviews for it. And I can agree that it is 10 times better than the 'Slang' mistake. But it is certainly not as good as 'Pyromania' or 'Hysteria' either! Sound wise it reminds me of 'Adrenalize', but it isn't as over-produced as that album. The rockers on it are a bit strained. It's almost as they are trying to much. But the mid-paced stuff is excellent. So all in all, this is a mediocre Def Leppard album. One of the bands few instrumental tracks also appear here.

Killer tracks: Promises, Paper Sun, It's Only Love, To Be Alive, Day After Day

X (2002) BLUDGEON RIFFOLA/MERCURY

Def Leppard haven't exactly the highest ratings in my book anymore. But considering the good reviews 'X' got, and the fact that my wife likes them, I decided to buy it. And the album is not at all bad. Most of the songs are enjoyable, but the band no longer play remotely the same hard rock as they used to. Bryan Adams would be an artist to compare them to now. The songs really sound good, and are not as polished as on 'Adrenalize', and not as experimental as on 'Slang'. The bad thing though, is that I tend to get tired of the songs after only a few spins. Not the worst Def Leppard album, and certainly not the best. My European version comes with a bonus-track.

Killer tracks: Now, Unbelievable, Long Way To Go

Phil Collen guest appearances:

Liberty N' Justice - 'Light It Up'

Related artists:

Dio