Watch: Phil Collen confirms Def Leppard have started work on their new album
Phil Collen has exclusively told Planet Rock that Def Leppard have commenced work on their 12th studio album and they already have a “bunch of songs” in the bag.
Last updated 9th Aug 2021
Paul Anthony caught up with Collen in his Moroccan-themed backstage portacabin at Download Festival for a wide-ranging chat shortly before Def Leppard’s stellar headline performance.
Asked if Def Leppard will be working on a new record once they’ve completed their sprawling ‘Hysteria’ tour, Collen replied: “We started it last year, actually. We started recording it last year on tour.
“Like on the Tesla album (2019’s ‘Shock’, which Phil produced and co-wrote) we’d be in room like this (a portacabin) doing guitars… we’ve actually started the new Def Leppard album in a similar way, we’ve got the odd track on the go and that’s it really, it’s just how far you go.”
Reflecting on how the recording process differs to 2015’s self-titled ‘Def Leppard’, Collen added: “The last album we actually went in to do one or two songs and within a week we had 12 songs and it was like, it shocked us ‘this is an album already’ and it ended up more than that.
“Yeah, that came together really quickly and we didn’t even plan that. So, I think (this album) is going to be a different thing, there’s a bunch of songs already on the go.”
You can watch the full interview with Phil Collen below where he talks about the British weather, life on the road with Def Leppard and why he doesn’t use any guitar pedals.
Following last night’s blockbuster headline set at Download, Def Leppard play a series of shows across Europe before they tour North America throughout July, August and September.
Check out all the action from the opening day at Download Festival right here: