Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott recently opened up about the band’s upcoming album. It is the follow-up to their 2022 record Diamond Star Halos.
Elliott discussed the status of the new record, revealing some surprising details about where and how it’s being made, as well as when fans can expect it to arrive.
“Well, the single is the lead-off track, if you like, from the new album,” Elliott said. “The song is called ‘Rejoice.’ We released it in time for the Vegas residency. We did a Vegas residency in February, and we wanted to play a new song, so it made sense to actually put it out.”
He then confirmed that the album is still in progress and shed light on the unconventional recording setup the band has been using.
“The album won’t be out until early ’27, ’cause we’re still recording it,” he continued. “We were actually recording parts of it in Vegas on days off. We would go down into the basement of the casino and set it up as a studio, and we would record. So we’re still actively recording now and mixing.”
Elliott also revealed the scope of the material the band has accumulated so far.
“We’ve got about 18 songs. So we’ve kind of got nearly two albums,” he said. “We’re not gonna put all 18 on the album. We’re gonna pick and choose which 10 or 11 we think are the right ones. So, yeah, we’ve got some great songs — very varied. I will tell you this much, we’ve written the fastest song we’ve ever done.”
He went on to tease the wide range of styles fans can expect from the record.
“And we’ve also written the most ridiculously over-the-top, pretentious, massive, big, kind of bombastic song that we’ve ever written, too, and lots of stuff in between,” Elliott added. “So it’s very varied. It’s a very eclectic collection of tunes. A lot of people will be shocked, I think, because of the direction that we’re going in, ’cause it’s not one direction. It’s 10 different directions.”
Elliott wrapped up by outlining the band’s timeline for completing the album around their touring schedule.
“And we love being able to do that. So, yeah, we’re working on it actively,” he said. “We’re touring this summer, and we’ll be working on the album up to going on tour and then when we come off. So we need to get it finished by the end of the summer for an early release next year.”
The new Def Leppard album is currently expected to arrive in early 2027.
“Rejoice” was released in late January 2026. It was timed to coincide with the band’s return to Las Vegas for their residency at Caesars Palace’s The Colosseum, which ran from February 3 through 28. The single served as both a live debut and a first taste of the new album’s direction.
The recording setup during the residency was more elaborate than Elliott’s comments alone suggest. Drummer Rick Allen set up in the theater’s basement. Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell recorded in their hotel suites, turning the entire Caesars Palace complex into an impromptu studio.
The residency was a 12-date run. The band balanced a demanding performance schedule alongside active recording sessions throughout the Vegas dates.
Recording did not stop when the residency wrapped up. The band has continued pushing forward through the mixing process and into their summer touring schedule. The goal is to have the record fully completed by the end of summer 2026, setting up the planned early 2027 release.
