1 Year Ago DEF LEPPARD Announce DIAMOND STAR HALOS Album/Release KICK Single

Friday, 17th March 2023

Def Leppard 2022

Def Leppard announced the Diamond Star Halos album on this day in 2022 and released the first single Kick.

'Diamond Star Halos', with a title inspired by the T. Rex song 'Get It On (Bang A Gong)', was announced the band's 12th studio album.

The release date was confirmed for Friday 27th May 2022.

The first release of a new album with all new music since October 2015's self-titled released 'Def Leppard'.

The cover artwork was designed by the Munden Brothers and famed Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn took the band photos.

The cover artwork featured the classic cross hairs and eye reminiscent of the one used on the 'Historia' video cover in 1988 along with the classic band logo at the top and references to 'High 'n' Dry' and 'Retro-Active'.

The longest album yet in terms of songs with 15 included in all.

It was recorded in Ireland, England and the USA during the various lockdown sessions.

Def Leppard 2022.

First Single/Second Single

The first single called 'Kick' was released on the same day as the album announcement.

The press quotes revealed that 'Fire It Up' would also be released as a single.

Deluxe Edition/Bonus Tracks

The album came in both regular 15 track CD format and a Deluxe Edition with 17 songs.

Featuring 'Goodbye For Good This Time - Avant-Garde Mix' and 'Lifeless - Joe Only version'.

The regular CD edition in Japan featured two other unique bonus tracks in 'Angels (Can’t Help You Now) - Stripped Version' and 'This Guitar - Joe Only Version'.

Guest Singer

The album was revealed to feature two songs with guest singer and long time Lep fan Alison Krauss.

Alison had once interviewed Joe for UK magazine Q in the mid to late 90s and attended many shows before in the USA.

She had recently released a second album with former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant.

Her vocals are featured on the songs 'This Guitar' and 'Lifeless'.

Guest Pianist

Long time David Bowie pianist Mike Garson was confirmed to feature on two songs in 'Goodbye For Good This Time' and 'Angels (Can’t Help You Now)'.

Mike introduced the band and played with Joe in January 2022 for the A Bowie Celebration virtual online concert and also the previous related show since 2017 with Joe.

Visit the Tour News section. For more news on future tour plans.

Visit the Album News section for more news on new music (based on band member quotes).

Buy 'Diamond Star Halos' Online

Amazon - Regular CD
Amazon - Deluxe CD
Amazon - Vinyl
Amazon - MP3

Diamond Star Halos - Tracklisting

01 - Take What You Want - 4:14 - (Rick Savage/Joe Elliott)
02 - Kick - 3:42 - (Dave Bassett/Phil Collen) - Amazon - (MP3)
03 - Fire It Up - 3:19 - (Phil Collen/Sam Hollander)
04 - This Guitar [feat. Alison Krauss] - 3:50 - (C. J. Vanston/Phil Collen)
05 - SOS Emergency - 3:25 - (Joe Elliott/Phil Collen)
06 - Liquid Dust - 4:01 - (Phil Collen)
07 - U Rok Mi - 3:33 - (Phil Collen)
08 - Goodbye For Good This Time - 4:27 - (Joe Elliott)
09 - All We Need - 4:46 - (Joe Elliott/Phil Collen)
10 - Open Your Eyes - 4:19 - (Joe Elliott/Phil Collen)
11 - Gimme A Kiss That Rocks - 3:12 - (Joe Elliott/Phil Collen)
12 - Angels (Can’t Help You Now) - 4:57 - (Joe Elliott)
13 - Lifeless [feat. Alison Krauss] - 4:19 - (Joe Elliott/Phil Collen)
14 - Unbreakable - 3:46 - (Joe Elliott)
15 - From Here To Eternity - 5:37 - (Rick Savage)

Producer - Def Leppard
Producer - Ronan McHugh
Total Time - 61mins
Release Date - 27th May 2022

Def Leppard 2022

Diamond Star Halos - Press Quotes

Diamond Star Halos is the brand new album from Def Leppard, their first since their chart topping self-titled Def Leppard record in 2015.

Written by the band over the past two years it features 15 tracks including the anthemic, stadium-ready singles “Kick” and “Fire It Up”, with guest vocals

from Alison Krauss on “This Guitar” and “Lifeless”.

The album title references T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” with nods to T.Rex, David Bowie and Mott The Hoople across the album, which mixes the sound of their classic spirit with modern fire.

The artwork for Diamond Star Halos is the idea of world-renowned photographer and director Anton Corbijn, with stylist Maryam Malakapoer and graphic artist Munden  Brothers based in the United Kingdom.

Diamond Star Halos - Press Release

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME® INDUCTED ICONS & ROCK LEGENDS DEF LEPPARD ARE BACK WITH NEW ALBUM DIAMOND STAR HALOS MAY 27

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 [Universal Music], on 27th May 2022.

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.

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.” 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.

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 (Deluxe) - Tracklisting

01 - Take What You Want - 4:14
02 - Kick - 3:42 - Amazon - (MP3)
03 - Fire It Up - 3:19
04 - This Guitar [feat. Alison Krauss] - 3:50
05 - SOS Emergency - 3:25
06 - Liquid Dust - 4:01
07 - U Rok Mi - 3:33
08 - Goodbye For Good This Time - 4:27
09 - All We Need - 4:46
10 - Open Your Eyes - 4:19
11 - Gimme A Kiss That Rocks - 3:12
12 - Angels (Can’t Help You Now) - 4:57
13 - Lifeless [feat. Alison Krauss] - 4:19)
14 - Unbreakable - 3:46
15 - From Here To Eternity - 5:37

16 - Goodbye For Good This Time (Avant-Garde Mix) - 4:34

17 - Lifeless (Joe Only version) - 4:21

Producer - Def Leppard
Producer - Ronan McHugh
Release Date - 27th May 2022

Diamond Star Halos - Japan Regular CD Tracklisting

16 - Angels (Can’t Help You Now) - Stripped Version - 4:44 - (Japan Bonus Track)

17 - This Guitar - Joe Only Version - 3:52 - (Japan Bonus Track)

Producer - Def Leppard
Producer - Ronan McHugh
Release Date - 27th May 2022

Diamond Star Halos (Vinyi) - Tracklisting

Side A

01 - Take What You Want - 4:14
02 - Kick - 3:42 - Amazon - (MP3)
03 - Fire It Up - 3:19
04 - This Guitar [feat. Alison Krauss] - 3:50

Side B

05 - SOS Emergency - 3:25
06 - Liquid Dust - 4:01
07 - U Rok Mi - 3:33
08 - Goodbye For Good This Time - 4:27

Side C

09 - All We Need - 4:46
10 - Open Your Eyes - 4:19
11 - Gimme A Kiss That Rocks - 3:12
12 - Angels (Can’t Help You Now) - 4:57

Side D

13 - Lifeless [feat. Alison Krauss] - 4:19
14 - Unbreakable - 3:46
15 - From Here To Eternity - 5:37

Producer - Def Leppard
Producer - Ronan McHugh
Release Date - 27th May 2022

Diamond Star Halos - 1CD Regular Edition

The 1CD features a black & white cover with colour logo, packaged in a jewel case.

Diamond Star Halos - 1CD Deluxe Edition

The limited edition 1CD Deluxe features two bonus tracks “Goodbye For Good This Time – Avant-garde Mix” and “Lifeless – Joe Only version” presented in a full colour cover on a digipak.

Diamond Star Halos - 2LP Edition - (3894518)

The 2LP black vinyl features a black & white cover with colour logo, packaged in a gatefold sleeve.

Diamond Star Halos - 2LP Vinyl Limited Edition Picture Disc - (3894517U)

The limited edition 2LP picture disc is an online exclusive, featuring the album artwork by the Munden brothers and packaged in a die cut gatefold sleeve.

Diamond Star Halos - 2LP Clear Vinyl Limited Edition - (3894516UK)

The limited edition 2LP clear vinyl is exclusive to Indie retailers and D2C, featuring a full colour cover and packaged in a gatefold sleeve.