DEF LEPPARD Announces 'Diamond Star Halos' Album; 'Kick' Single Now Available

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DEF LEPPARD will release its new album, "Diamond Star Halos", on May 27 via UMe. The follow-up to 2015's self-titled LP 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 U.K. quintet — Joe Elliott (vocals), Rick Savage (bass), Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (guitar) and Vivian Campbell (guitar) — has just shared a powerful and rip-roaring new rock single titled "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 U.K.-based Munden Brothers, the design truly follows the band's influence through their eyes today. 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)". "Kick" can be streamed below, with "Diamond Star Halos" now available for preorder on the DEF LEPPARD web site in a variety of formats, including a deluxe edition, two-LP vinyl, digital and more. "Diamond Star Halos" track listing: 01. Take What You Want 02. Kick 03. Fire It Up 04. This Guitar (feat. Alison Krauss] 05. Sos Emergency 06. Liquid Dust 07. U Rok Mi 08. Goodbye For Good This Time 09. All We Need 10. Open Your Eyes 11. Gimme A Kiss 12. Angels (Can't Help You Now) 13. Lifeless (feat. Alison Krauss) 14. Unbreakable 15. From Here To Eternity DEF LEPPARD's "The Stadium Tour" with MÖTLEY CRÜE, POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS was originally scheduled to take place in the summer of 2020 but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo credit: Anton Corbijn
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