Picture this: it’s 1983, the era of big hair, denim jackets, and air-guitar solos in front of the mirror. You pop in that cassette tape, press play, and Def Leppard’s third studio album, Pyromania, fills the air with some of the catchiest hard rock you’ve ever heard. It’s the first album to feature guitar wizard Phil Collen, and the second produced by the legendary Mutt Lange, following 1981’s High ‘n’ Dry.
Unleashing a slew of infectious hit singles, Pyromania would go on to sell more than 10 million copies and — along with its follow-up, Hysteria — make Def Leppard one of only five rock bands in history to have two Diamond-certified albums. More importantly, the music would launch the band into the stratosphere and ultimately define a generation.
Fast forward to 2024: Def Leppard — still filling stadiums with their anthemic hits — is celebrating the 40th anniversary of their landmark album with a beast of a reissue on UMC/Mercury. Aptly named Pyromania 40, the 4CD + Blu-ray Super Deluxe Edition, executive produced by lead singer Joe Elliott and Ronan McHugh, comes packed with no less than 94 songs and five videos. No fa-fa-fa Foolin.’
To start, you’ve got a remastered version of the original album, sounding crisper and more powerful than ever before. “Right from the very early days we had a specific idea of how we wanted to sound,” recalls bassist Rick Savage. “A massive wall of guitars and drums supporting huge vocals and melodies. That vision came to fruition with the making of ‘Pyromania.’ Even now it still has that special quality that made it such a groundbreaking record.”
Dive deeper, and you’ll discover a rarities disc dedicated to unheard demos, rough mixes, and studio outtakes, including the album’s long lost, unfinished eleventh track, “No You Can’t Do That.” These raw recordings give you a glimpse into the creative process behind the album, showcasing the evolution of monster hits like “Photograph” and “Rock of Ages.”
Flip to the two live CDs, and you’ll be transported to unforgettable concerts from the Pyromania era. Picture yourself rocking out in the front row at the LA Forum or joining the crowd at Westfalen Halle in Dortmund, Germany. It’s like having a time machine that lets you experience the energy and excitement of the band’s legendary performances. Even better: you can hear many of these songs live, and the band’s other hits, when Def Leppard plays Petco Park with Journey and Steve Miller Band on Aug. 30.
But let’s not forget about the Blu-ray. This audio-visual gem is a true feast for the senses. With a Dolby Atmos mix of the album overseen by Giles Martin (known for his work with another British band named The Beatles), you’ll feel like you’re standing in the middle of the studio as the band lays down tracks. Add in the 5.1 Stereo and instrumental mixes, and you’ll gain a whole new perspective of the sonically spectacular album. And the five official videos — “Foolin’” and “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” among them — will have you feeling like you’re watching MTV from back in the day.
The real cherry on top of this comprehensive reissue is the beautifully curated book filled with rare photos by Ross Halfin (Led Zeppelin, AC-DC, Van Halen) and new interviews with the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees. It’s like a backstage pass to the making of Pyromania.
In addition to the hefty Super Deluxe Edition ($99.98), there’s a 2CD version featuring the remastered album and a selection of rarities and four live tracks, as well as various single and double vinyl editions. You can purchase your preferred format (and some pretty cool swag) here.
All in all, Pyromania 40 is worth the nostalgia trip and a must-have for any music lover’s collection. So, roll those windows down, crank up the volume, and let Def Leppard take you on a raucous ride down memory lane.
Donovan Roche, a San Diego-based writer/editor, has covered the music, entertainment, and arts scene for more than 30 years. Send your story ideas to droche17@cox.net.