Def Leppard became pop rock kings in the 80’s. They pounded the charts with a greatest hits album worth of top forty songs. Then, their greatest hits CD - "Vault," became a multi-platinum smash. They thrived in the hair metal days with danceable pop rock tunes.
But, in the late seventies and early eighties Def Leppard were a fierce part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. They released two solid rock albums which still stand as underrated hard rock classics. Although they did not sell millions or produce songs that even made their greatest hits album, “On Through The Night” and “High and Dry” are true underrated rock gems.
Their debut full-length album, "On Through The Night," was released in 1980 when the band’s average age was sixteen. The album had a raw sound and it was easy to tell that the band was still trying to find their sound. It had a few weak moments, but still was a solid rocker. Borrowing influences from Deep Purple, Judas Priest, and AC/DC it was obvious from the beginning that this band was heading somewhere.
The album was very close to being a total classic. Some of the songs were too obvious and cliched, but just missed the mark. “Wasted,” “Rock Brigade” (which received moderate airplay on US AOR-oriented stations at the time), and “Rocks Off” were early fan favorites and showed glimpses of greatness. The album contained a cross of working class rock and glam rock’s glittering hooks.
“When The Walls Come Tumbling Down” and “Answer To The Master” were thrash rockers in the style of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. All in all, this was an album that showcases the potential of a young band ready to explode, but still searching for the right sound. Not a classic album per se, but a true overlooked classic.
“High And Dry” was released a year later in 1981 on Mercury Records, the same label that released the debut album. It was a major step beyond their first effort. Again, the album was stacked with several songs that loyal fans consider Leppard classics, but none of the songs were chart successes or even made their greatest hits collection.
“Bringin’ On The Heartbreak” received airplay on a young MTV and radio airplay. Years later it was rerecorded by Mariah Carey. The song had a definite commercial hook. The album thundered from the beginning with the heavy opener “Let It Go.” The title track was a rowdy party anthem that is one of the better overlooked gems from Def Leppard. “You Got Me Running” displayed the band’s penchent for catchy, hooky songs that would later make them superstars. “No No No” closed the album out in the thunderous style that it opened with…also containing a screaming session at the end of the song.
In fact, these two albums should be merged into one great CD that could rival the greatest hits CD “Vault” in the heart of true Def Leppard fans. The band aimed their sound at commercial goals and they become mega stars as they slammed both the album and single charts throughout the eighties. Nowadays many metalheads cringe at the mention of Def Leppard, BUT there was a time when they were at the forefront of the NWOBHM and ranked ahead of bands such as Iron Maiden
