Toronto’s hardest-working power trio, Danko Jones, roar back with “Leo Rising”, an eleven-track masterclass in sweat-soaked, no-nonsense rock ‘n’ roll. Produced to red-hot perfection by longtime collaborator Eric Ratz, the album drops on November 21st, 2025, via Perception – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music and Sonic Unyon (for Canada).
Following the rabid reception to the opening salvo “What You Need” and the party-starting anthem “Everyday is Saturday Night”, “Leo Rising” turns the dial past eleven with razor-sharp riffs, thunderous rhythms, and fist-pumping hooks. Guitar legend Marty Friedman (Megadeth, Cacophony) makes a blistering guest appearance on the future single “Diamond in the Rough”, while other standouts – from the priapic swagger of “Hot Fox” to the roof-rattling “It’s a Celebration” – prove Danko Jones are keeping rock alive by doing it better than anyone else.
“I like the routine of recording, touring, writing, repeat — I can do that till I’m dead”, grins frontman Danko Jones. “It may sound boring, but it’s so hard for a band to achieve. I don’t take this lightly. Also, it’s a page out of the Motörhead handbook, so it works! Leo Rising is another serving of peerless hard rock: bass, drums, guitar, vocals – no frills. Roll the windows down and crank it”.
John Calabrese laid down bass tracks from Finland, Rich Knox flew to Toronto to record drums, and Danko worked with producer Eric Ratz in the same city to capture vocals and guitars. Despite recording separately once again, the band’s chemistry is unmistakable. The result is pure Danko Jones: tight, loud, and built for the stage.
“Leo Rising” may be their most electrifying and uplifting record yet – a jolt of high-octane rock made for packed clubs, open highways, and everything in between.
Pre-orders, limited edition vinyl variants, and special merch available here.
Tracklist:
1. What You Need
2. Diamond in the Rough
3. Everyday is Saturday Night
4. I Love It Louder
5. I’m Going Blind
6. Hot Fox
7. It’s a Celebration
8. Pretty Stuff
9. Gotta Let It go
10. I Can’t Stop
11. Too Slick For Love
European Tour Dates 2025:
27.06.2025 EE Tallinn – Rock Festival
05.07.2025 DE Mainburg – Festival Holledau
06.07.2025 DE Hünxe – Ruhrpott Rodeo (New)
17.07.2025 FI Seinäjoki – Vauhtiajot
19.07.2025 NL Lichtenvoorde – Zwarte Cross
25.07.2025 NO Fredrikstad – Månefestivalen
26.07.2025 DE Mönchengladbach – Bob! Fest
04.08.2025 CA Saskatoon, SK – EX
09.08.2025 DE Eschwege – Open Flair
15.08.2025 NO Alta – Alta Live
16.08.2025 NO Hardstad – Bakgården
17.08.2025 CH Cudrefin (VD) – Rock The Lakes
23.08.2025 DE Haddeby – Baltic Open Air
Canada Live Shows 2025:
01.10.2025 CA Ottawa, ON – Overflow Brewing Company
02.10.2025 CA Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks
03.10.2025 CA Waterloo, ON – Maxwell’s Concerts & Events
European Tour Dates 2025:
19.11.2025 FI Helsinki – Tavastia
21.11.2025 SE Stockholm – Münchenbryggeriet
22.11.2025 NO Oslo – Vulkan Arena
26.11.2025 DE Osnabrück – Rosenhof
27.11.2025 LU Luxembourg – Den Atelier
28.11.2025 NL Amsterdam – Melkweg
29.11.2025 UK London – The Underworld Camden
30.11.2025 UK Porthcawl – Planet Rockstock *
03.12.2025 BE Antwerp – Trix (Main Hall)
04.12.2025 FR Paris – Le Trabendo
06.12.2025 IT Milan – Legend Club
08.12.2025 DE Mannheim – Alte Feuerwache
09.12.2025 AT Salzburg – Rockhouse
10.12.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Werk)
11.12.2025 DE Cologne – Carlswerk Victoria
12.12.2025 DE Berlin – Astra
13.12.2025 DE Hamburg – Docks
(w/ Tuk Smith and The Restless Hearts)
* (Danko Jones only)
Every time someone announces the death of rock ‘n’ roll, Canada’s most incendiary power trio roll with the punches and keep rocking with maximum commitment to the cause. Danko Jones are a three-piece rock ‘n’ roll band from Toronto. They never sleep. They sweat blood. And they are keeping rock alive by doing it better than anyone else.
On duty since 1996, these unstoppable road-hogs have devoted their lives to rousing the people with blistering, no-bullshit, all-action rock. They have rallied a global army of rock-hungry fans, and blown them away with a steady stream of explosive, anthem-packed albums and an absurd number of live shows. From early underground smashes like “We Sweat Blood” [2003] and “Sleep Is The Enemy” [2006], to the band’s recent, triumphant triumvirate of “A Rock Supreme” [2019], “Power Trio” [2021] and “Electric Sounds” [2023], Danko Jones have been a relentless force for rock ‘n’ roll good, both in the studio and on the road. And they have absolutely no intention of stopping.
“You know what? I like the routine of recording, touring, writing, and repeat”, states singer/guitarist, Danko Jones himself. “I can do that till I’m dead! It may sound boring, but it’s so hard for a band to achieve. I don’t take this lightly. Also, it’s a page out of the Motörhead handbook so it works! Since ‘Electric Sounds’ we’ve been touring and touring. We managed to play in Mexico and Greece for the first time, and we even played Prince Edward Island, a province in Canada we’d never been to before. Other than that, it’s been a life of gigs and writing more songs to play more gigs”!
Proving that their time was well-spent, Danko, bassist John Calabrese and drummer Rich Knox have conjured yet another blazing banquet of nourishing rock goodness on their 12th studio record, due for release later this year.
Line-up:
Danko Jones | Vocals, guitars
John Calabrese | Bass
Rich Knox | Drums
