Recorded in their hometown of Sheffield on May 22, 2023, Diamond Star Heroes captures Def Leppard in full command of their legacy while still performing with the urgency of a band that refuses to coast on nostalgia. The first thing that hits you is the sound. The mix is powerful, open, and unmistakably live—loud in the right places, airy in others, and never polished into something sterile. It feels like you’ve been dropped directly into a stadium show, right down to the natural echo of the arena and the crowd feeding off every chorus.
Kicking off with “Take What You Want” is an unexpected but inspired choice, immediately signaling that this is more than a greatest-hits victory lap. From there, the band moves confidently through their catalog. “Switch 625” lands as the emotional centerpiece it’s always been, a wordless tribute to Steve Clark that still resonates. The newer “Kick” brings a blast of modern energy, proving the band’s recent material can hold its own. And when they ignite “Hysteria,” “Photograph,” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” the show becomes a celebration of every era of the band’s career.
Joe Elliott deserves recognition for the way he handles these songs decades after originally recording them. Def Leppard have called themselves the “Beach Boys of hard rock,” and those stacked harmonies and high registers were never easy. Joe approaches them with grit, instinct, and a veteran’s understanding of what serves the performance. He may not sing like he did in ’87, but he carries the material with respect and presence, giving fans exactly what they came to hear.
Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell remain one of rock’s most consistently strong guitar duos—not because they aim to outshine each other, but because they play with the songs rather than over them. Their tones are sharp, their harmonies locked in, and their chemistry effortless. On tracks like “Photograph” and “Rocket,” their interplay elevates the arrangements, while “Switch 625” showcases their ability to balance virtuosity with emotion. Joe’s introduction to “Armageddon It” saying Vivian “put the fast in Belfast” was a moment to make you smile.
The rhythm section is equally crucial. Rick Savage’s bass underpins the set with melodic power, particularly on “Switch 625,” where his presence becomes essential to the track’s momentum. Rick Allen, forever “The Thunder God,” delivers a performance that is thunderous, precise, and unmistakably live. His drumming gives the show much of its physical weight and keeps the stadium energy driving forward.
Visually, the Blu-ray is slickly produced without sacrificing authenticity. The camera work is smooth and immersive, the lighting bold, and the editing confident enough to let moments breathe. It brilliantly conveys the scale of the event, making the release a genuinely satisfying experience for anyone who couldn’t witness the show in person.
What ultimately ties everything together is the unmistakable feeling of a homecoming. The Sheffield crowd’s enthusiasm pushes the band, and the band responds with a performance that feels both celebratory and deeply rooted in where their story began. There’s a pride running through the night that you can feel even through the speakers and screen.
In the end, Diamond Star Heroes stands as a vibrant document of Def Leppard in 2023—a band honoring its past while still delivering with conviction. For longtime fans, it’s essential viewing and listening. For newcomers or casual listeners, it’s a surprisingly fresh reminder of why Def Leppard continue to fill arenas worldwide.
Diamond Star Heroes will be released on November 21st. Pre-orders are available now at the following link.