Def Leppard - On Through The Night

Released in 1980

Def Leppard can be considered one of the grandfathers of the hair metal sound, for they arrived on the scene long before Poison, Cinderella or other famed pop-metal bands and showed the world that metal need not be dark, depressing or satanic. Metal could be flat-out fun.

On Through the Night is the band's debut album, and although it does not possess the polish and production of their latter albums, it does provide some insight into what the band had in store for the future. You won't find any power ballads on this album (rockers and anthems are the name of this game), thus making this album the heaviest of Def Leppard's albums. Even so, the harder sound is splashed with melody and pop sensibilities that would later erupt in future albums and create a commercial sensation.

Some of the highlights on this album are:

• Hello America – A fun anthem that possesses a slower pace than many of the other tracks, but plenty of melody and infectious choruses.
• When the Walls Came Tumbling Down – This is as close to a ballad as this album comes, though it shares more in common with the psychedelic metal of the 70's than the power ballads of the 80's.
• Wasted – A flat out metal assault, with furious guitar work and angry vocals.

This album bridges the gap between 70's and 80's metal, almost a hybrid of sorts of psychedelic rock and glam metal. Since I'm not a fan of the psychedelic sound, those influences were a bit of a turnoff for me. Coupled with the raw production values, I can't recommend this album to anyone experiencing Def Leppard for the first time. Their later albums were far more polished and infectious.

Nonetheless, On Through the Night is a solid work that should more than satisfy those who enjoy late 70's or early 80's metal. If you're looking for a release of the magnitude of Hysteria (their crowning jewel), you'll be sorely disappointed. But if the louder, less polished style of metal appeals to you, you'll feel right at home.

Rating: 6 stars

Track List Rock Brigade Hello America Sorrow Is a Woman It Could Be You Satellite When the Walls Came Tumbling Down Wasted Rocks Off It Doesn't Matter Answer to the Master Overture

Additional Resources

• High 'N' Dry Review
• Pyromania Review
• Hysteria Review

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