On May 19th, 2023, will see Rock and Classical royalty unite on a brand-new euphoric album titled “Drastic Symphonies” – Def Leppard’s greatest produced tracks dramatically reimagined and sounding larger and more exhilarating than ever before, teamed with London’s iconic The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Def Leppard have deconstructed and rebuilt not only some of their most well known tracks but also some of their hidden gems as well. By and large, they have intertwined the audio from the original tapes and performed them alongside The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The album includes new vocals and guitars which culminates in stunningly beautiful symphonic arrangements. At different points you can hear Joe Elliott duetting with his younger self.
Vocalist Joe Elliott says: “Def Leppard has always enjoyed veering off the expected path – working with the likes of Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift & Alison Krauss for example. So, when the offer to revisit some of our back catalogue with the Royal Philharmonic was presented to us, to a man we all jumped at it. Although we’re far from the first band to ever do this, working directly with an orchestra at Abbey Road on some of our more orchestrated songs seemed too good of an opportunity to pass up”.
This album represents a bold new approach to Def Leppard’s most loved songs.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was recorded at Abbey Road in March 2022. Produced by Def Leppard, Ronan McHugh & Nick Patrick (producer of the following RPO/Orchestral albums – Elvis, Roy Orbison, Beach Boys and Buddy Holly) with arrangements by Eric Gorfain (Neil Diamond, Ryan Adams, Christina Aguilera).
Guitarist Phil Collen says: “When the offer of doing an orchestral album with the RPO was suggested we were honoured. But we didn’t just want an orchestra plonked over our previous recordings. We decided to create something special where we would have something classic but present it in a brand new way that would involve making everything work in the context of ‘Drastic Symphonies’. Recording new parts, remixing previous sounds, taking some of our instruments out so the orchestra could breathe and literally making a new album. It was an amazingly inspirational process culminating in the live recording of the RPO at Abbey Road studios in London. An absolute team effort that took a good part of a year. It’s a new Def Leppard album, it’s a greatest hits plus album, with some rarely heard songs, it’s a live RPO album and we think it’s perfect. We’re so proud of how ‘Drastic Symphonies’ turned out and can’t wait to share it to the world”.
The album will be available on CD, 2LP black vinyl, limited 2LP coloured vinyl, limited 2LP picture disc, CD/Blu-Ray (Atmos) and digitally.
Pre-order “Drastic Symphonies” here.
Pre-order & pre-save “Drastic Symphonies” here.
Tracklist:
1. Turn to Dust
2. Paper Sun
3. Animal
4. Pour Some Sugar on Me (Stripped version)
5. Hysteria
6. Love Bites
7. Goodbye for Good This Time
8. Love
9. Gods of War
10. Angels (Can’t Help You Now)
11. Bringin’ on the Heartbreak
12. Switch 625
13. Too Late for Love
14. When Love & Hate Collide
15. Kings of the World
The vinyl and Atmos versions will also feature an exclusive bonus track:
• Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad
2022 saw Def Leppard release their critically and commercially acclaimed 12th studio album “Diamond Star Halos”, which charted all over the world including a top 5 and top 10 in both the UK and North America. Early 2023 saw the band score a UK No 1 Netflix film with their cameo in acclaimed movie “Bank Of Dave”. Joe Elliott is currently riding high in charts across the world with his guest vocal on the Ghost track “Spillways”.
2022 saw Def Leppard play a SOLD OUT stadium tour across North America with Motley Crue – selling over 1.3 million tickets. February and March 2023 saw the tour wow audiences throughout Central and South America. In May, June and July the must see tour of 2023 comes to Europe, including a stop at the iconic Wembley Stadium on the 1st July. The band will then return to the USA for more live dates in August 2023.
European & UK Tour Dates 2023:
Mon, May 22, 2023 Sheffield, UK – Bramall Lane
Wed, May 25, 2023 Mönchengladbach, Germany – SparkassenPark
Sat, May 27, 2023 Munich, Germany – Koenigsplatz
Mon, May 29, 2023 Budapest, Hungary – MVM Dome
Wed, May 31, 2023 Krakow, Poland – TAURON Arena Kraków
Fri, Jun 2, 2023 Prague, Czech Republic – Prague Rocks *
Sat, Jun 3, 2023 Hannover, Germany – Expo Plaza
Tue, Jun 7, 2023 Solvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival *
Fri, Jun 9, 2023 Helsinki, Finland – RockFest *
Sun, Jun 11, 2023 Trondheim, Norway – Trondheim Rocks *
Wed, Jun 14, 2023 Copenhagen, Denmark – COPENHELL *
Fri, Jun 16, 2023 Clisson, France – Hellfest *
Sun, Jun 18, 2023 Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Metal Meeting *
Tue, Jun 20, 2023 Milan, Italy – Ippodromo SNAI San Siro
Fri, Jun 23, 2023 Lisbon, Portuga – Passeio Maritimo de Alges
Sat, Jun 24, 2023 Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Spain – Auditorio Miguel Ríos
Tue, Jun 27, 2023 Thun, Switzerland – Stockhorn Arena
Sat, Jul 1, 2023 London, UK – Wembley Stadium
Sun, Jul 2, 2023 Lytham, UK – Lytham Festival *
Tue, Jul 4, 2023 Dublin, Ireland – Marlay Park
Thu, Jul 6, 2023 Glasgow, UK – Glasgow Green
* (Festival Date)
US Tour Dates 2023:
Sat, Aug 5, 2023 Syracuse, NY, USA – JMA Wireless Dome
Tue, Aug 8, 2023 Columbus, OH USA – Ohio Stadium
Fri, Aug 11, 2023 Fargo, ND, USA – Fargo Dome
Sun, Aug 13, 2023 Omaha, NE, USA – Charles Schwab Field
Wed, Aug 16, 2023 Tulsa, OK, USA – Skelly Field @ H.A. ChapmanStadium
Fri, Aug 18, 2023 El Paso, TX, USA – Sun Bowl
For tickets check local listings for complete details including VIP offerings, on sale times vary. To purchase tickets click here.
