Def Leppard Set to Release New Studio Album X July 30th On Island Records

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 30, 2002--25 years since Joe Elliott and Rick Savage first got together in a small flat in Ireland to form Def Leppard, the band is now set to release their tenth studio album, X, July 30th on Island Records. With over 40 million albums sold worldwide to date, Def Leppard teamed up with various producers to add a range of perspectives to their winning formula. First up the band recorded with long time cohort Pete Woodruffe in Joe Elliott's home studio in Dublin, Ireland. The band then spent time recording in Los Angeles with Marty Frederickson (Aerosmith) before making a stop in Sweden to record with Andreas Carlsson and Per Aldeheim (Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, 'N Sync). Now one short year after the recording process began in Dublin, Def Leppard have created an infusion of metal, rock, pop and everything in between to be known to the world as X.

X is the follow up to the 1999 release of Euphoria, also produced by Pete Woodroffe. Only a few short months prior to the release of Euphoria, Def Leppard was honored by the RIAA with the prestigious Diamond Award. The Diamond Award recognized sales of over 12 million albums for Hysteria, bringing Def Leppard's total career sales to an astounding 43 million, a feat not many bands have been able to achieve, a feat only a handful of British artists have been able to achieve (The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Eric Clapton).

Def Leppard continue to prove their international rock status. Nothing can re-affirm this more than the fact that their greatest hits collection, The Vault remains in the Top 20 "Top Catalogue Albums" Chart. The Vault has remained on the "Top Catalogue Albums" Chart for over 200 weeks and still going strong selling over 5,000 copies weekly. Def Leppard were also one of the first bands to be featured on VH1's popular TV series Behind the Music. VH1 last July featured the tragedies and triumphs of Def Leppard in movie form entitled Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story, which scored the highest ratings for VH1 among it's 25-34 year old viewers.

Def Leppard are now more than ever ready to leave the past behind and focus on the future, ready to focus on Def Leppard 2002!

Thursday May 30, 6:43 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Island Records