DEF LEPPARD Has 'A Bunch Of Songs' In The Works For Next Album

Phil Collen says that DEF LEPPARD has a "bunch of songs" in the works for its 12th studio album, which the band began recording last year.

The guitarist spoke about the disc's progess during an interview with Paul Anthony of Planet Rock before DEF LEPPARD's headlining performance Friday night (June 14) at the U.K.'s Download festival.

Asked if DEF LEPPARD will be working on a new record once it has completed its "Hysteria" tour, Collen replied: "We started it last year — actually, we started recording it last year on tour. Like on the TESLA album [2019's 'Shock', which Phil produced and co-wrote], we'd be in rooms like this [a portacabin], and we'd be doing guitars. We've actually started the DEF LEPPARD album a similar way. We've got the odd track on the go. And that's it, really. It's just how far you go."

Speaking about how the recording process for DEF LEPPARD's new album is different from the way the band approached its 2015 self-titled record, Collen said: "The last album we actually went in to do one or two songs, and within a week, we had 12 songs. And it shocked us. So, it was, like, 'This is an album already.' It ended up being more than that. That came together really quickly. And we didn't even plan that. So I think it's gonna be a different thing. There's a bunch of songs already on the go. So it's, yeah, a lot of fun."

DEF LEPPARD's second Las Vegas residency will take place this summer. The band will take over Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino for 12 explosive nights between August 14 and September 7.

The British rockers played their first Las Vegas residency five years ago at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.

DEF LEPPARD's brand new greatest-hits collection, titled "The Story So Far - The Best Of", was released in November.