Unleash Your Rock ‘n’ Roll Soul: A Review of Def Leppard’s Pyromania 40th Anniversary Edition Album
Def Leppard’s album Pyromania, released in January 1983, quickly rose to fame as one of the band’s most iconic works. Despite being overshadowed by its successor Hysteria, Pyromania remains the band’s second-best selling album with over 10 million copies sold. While not as commercially successful as Hysteria, Pyromania is often regarded as the edgier and more rock-oriented of the two albums, earning a reputation as the cooler choice for fans to love.
The creation of Pyromania was a tumultuous process, marked by legendary producer Mutt Lange’s relentless pursuit of perfection. The constant re-recording and overdubs took a toll on the band members, leading to the decision to part ways with founding guitarist Pete Willis due to his erratic behavior. The addition of Phil Collen as Willis’ replacement proved to be a stroke of genius, ensuring that Pyromania retains its remarkable sound even four decades later.
The deluxe version of Pyromania comes in a vinyl album-sized box, featuring four CDs, a large-format book with notes by Classic Rock’s Paul Elliott, and a Blu-ray containing various mixes and promo videos. The first CD presents the original 10-song album, digitally remastered to showcase timeless hits like “Rock Rock (Till You Drop)”, “Photograph”, “Foolin'”, and “Rock of Ages”. Even the lesser-known tracks like “Comin’ Under Fire” and “Action! Not Words” stand out as strong contributions to the album.
The real treat lies in the second CD, which includes 22 rare tracks and demos, offering a glimpse into the band’s creative process. From unfinished tracks like “No You Can’t Do That” to instrumental demos and raw mixes of the album tracks, listeners are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at Def Leppard’s musical evolution. Additionally, the set includes two live CDs featuring energetic performances from iconic venues like the LA Forum and a festival appearance in Germany.
For fans looking to immerse themselves in the world of Pyromania, there are various vinyl and CD configurations available, including a two-CD version that combines the remastered album with select rarities and live tracks. However, for the ultimate experience, the four-CD box set is recommended, providing a comprehensive overview of this classic album at a reasonable price point.
