Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott has told of an “exhilarating” change the band have made to their recording process, and the group nearly have enough material for two new albums.
The 66-year-old rocker used to invite bandmates Rick Savage, Rick Allen, Phil Collen, and Vivian Campbell to his home studio to record tunes, but since the coronavirus pandemic the group started recording remotely instead – and it’s been a huge positive for their lives.
Speaking to France 24, he said: “We’ve developed a whole new method of recording, which was brought on by COVID.
“I’ve got a studio at home, and everybody has always gracefully come to my house to record. We’d do a month at a time, and then everybody goes home. But they couldn’t travel.
“So we ended up recording remotely, and we found it to be exhilarating.
“Everybody got to be at home with their families, yet still make a record. And we trusted each other that we were writing songs.
“And so everybody just played on everybody else’s bits, and it’s easy to do. We don’t all record in one room when we are in the same studio – we do it, the drums and the bass and the guitars and the vocals; it’s all layered.”
The band have been busy of late, with Joe revealing they have “about 17 or 18 songs written” for a new album, and the follow-up record.
He added: “So we’ve actually almost got two albums recorded. So we’re still deciding which songs are gonna go on album one, if you like.”
Def Leppard – who are known for big hits such as Pour Some Sugar on Me, Photograph, Love Bites, Rock of Ages, and Animal – are planning to drop their 13th studio album early next year.
Joe added: “And then we’re looking at an early ’27 release.”
The singer also hopes the group can be a release for fans, admitting they see themselves as an “escapism band”.
Joe added: “We’re not here to preach. We’re not here to tell you who to vote for. Other people can do that. We like to take you away from that and just come and have a good time.”
Def Leppard’s recent songwriting and album recording processes come after they played a 12-date Las Vegas residency, Def Leppard: Live at Caesars Palace The Las Vegas Residency, throughout February 2026.