On Through the Night - Def Leppard (CD 1988)

To me, debut releases are always the best examples of what a band has to offer. Stardom is the supreme goal...dedication, endless gigging, an unrelenting devotion to what you believe in and to be true to those beliefs. Honesty, perseverance and attitude will always prevail...unless your material is weak. In this case...the material is strong, powerful and...well just too damn good to ignore.

I have very little respect for "Def Leppard"...they are contrived, hit making formula following pop stars that have forgotten their true roots and turned their backs on their humble beginnings. With the world wide triple platinum success they've achieved, they've disassociated themselves with their musical talents and influences that helped create their musical vision. I spit on them for taking the easy way out and following a hit making sound that is safe and un-evolving...all for the sake of financial stability. Having said that(I have a very bad taste in my mouth right now), I will comment on what I believe to be "Def Leppard's" hungriest and most promising album..."On Through The Night" . We should not forget that the youngest member...Rick Allen was still in high school when this lp was recorded.

"Def Leppard are: Joe Elliot-vocals; Pete Willis-guitars; Steve Clark-guitars; Rick Savage-bass and Rick Allen-drums".

Once again I take a purist's opinion on this subject...music must be honest, self expressive and spiritual...both passionate and emotional. Paying homage to their influences...and showing them respect, "On Through The Night' introduced the U.K. audiences that were in the mist of the N.W.O.B.H.M. a unique breathe of musical fresh air. Five youths from Sheffield England embraced the musical influences of such diverse talents as "Queen", "Status Quo", "Slade", "Led Zeppelin" and "Black Sabbath" and took their youthful interpretation...showing what metal was suppose to become. "On Through The Night" in my opinion, was and still is "Def Leppard's" best recorded offering.

Disliked by the founding members...for what reasons I don't know, (I would be damn proud of this recording)..."Def Leppard" kick some serious @ss! "On Through The Night" is a full fledged frontal assault on the hard rock sensibilities of American and European audiences. During this period, American audiences were introduced to such notable bands such as "Iron Maiden", "Saxon", "Angelwitch", "Motorhead" and "Diamond Head". The heavy metal scene was flourishing in both Europe and America and "Def Leppard" released an impressive and unforgettable debut.

List Of Tracks:

1.ROCK BRIGADE
Loud, proud and to the point. A song filled with attitude and hard driving energy. Youth's bombastic and unified answer to what the metal movement was about...raw, energetic and...headbanging mayhem!

2.HELLO AMERICA
Something America wasn't ready for...the underground metal movement burst and blistered with excitement...from Europe. Many bands failed to break the American market on a large scale...heavy metal was considered an unviable commodity and too aggressive and brutal...thus forcing it into an "underground" phenomenon. Metal's later commercial acceptance would be due to the re-interpretation of this musical genre by American L.A. hair bands, giving metal a more polished and glamorized facelift.

3.SORROW IS A WOMAN
Musically tight...impressive talents are displayed by this youthful band. A woeful, heavy hitting tune about the perils of love and despair.

4.IT COULD BE YOU
A prime example of what heavy metal is all about...hard driving rhythms, wailing double guitar assaults and high charged vocals by Joe Elliot.

5.SATELLITE
A mature display of musical talent by guitarist's Clark and Willis...searing and electrifying soloing that smokes and burns.

6.WHEN THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN
A melodic, mood setting intro, that is quickly interrupted by a fierce, thunderous sledgehammer of power. A tale of Armageddon...the band's tight crunching sound is unrelenting...great guitar work by Willis and Clark.

7.WASTED
A hard hitting, head pounding tune about drug and alcohol abuse. Drummer Allen and bassist Savage propel this classic into overdrive. Elliot's vocals are strong and filled with hopeless abandon.

8.ROCKS OFF
This tune first saw the light of day on their self titled ep that was released in 1979. An energetic full throttled riff laden powerhouse of a song, Leppard showcases their true hard edged capabilities as a tight musical force.

9.IT DON'T MATTER
The maturity this band displayed in their song structuring is amazing...true musicians that learned their craft early and well...Elliot's vocals are very impressive...hard driving and powerful. Willis and Clark's differing styles, compliment each other quite well.

10.ANSWER TO THE MASTER
Some nice bass work by Rick Savage is displayed on this tune. Rick Allen also shows off his drumming talents. Exceptional dueling guitar work by Clark and Willis...many of their influences can be heard on this track.

11.OVERTURE
A showcase of the band's tight, harmonizing vocal skills are displayed with a stylish finesse. The closing track, "Overture" combines all their lesson's learned from their influential teachers. All of their musical convictions and beliefs are evident in abundance on this track. A great tune that focuses on their talents as serious musicians.

In my opinion "On Through The Night' was an incredible debut by a band that showed so much promise and musical talent. "Def Leppard" showed that age, experience and talent didn't necessarily go hand in hand...hard work, determination and a love for the music is what counts. "Def Leppard" played their @sses off on this release...and I'll give them the credit they so greatly deserve, but I guess when fame and fortune clouds your path...the easier one is often taken...and that's a damn shame.