DEF LEPPARD's PHIL COLLEN On Next Studio Album: 'It Will Be Done When It's Ready'

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen has confirmed to NorthJersey.com that the band plans to soon begin the process of writing its first album since 2015's self-titled effort.

"It will be done when it's ready," he said. "You see what works and does not work and what clicks. The great thing is we continue to get better as songwriters."

"Def Leppard" was the band's first studio effort since "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge" in 2008.

Last November, Collen told Classic Rock Revisited that DEF LEPPARD had "three songs on the go" for its next album. "Rick Savage [bass] has one, a verse that he sent me," he said. "I was messing around with some melodies for that too, and Joe [Elliott, vocals] has this amazing idea and I have this one that's kind of finished. I have melodies, a chorus and all the guitar parts. So we've started, officially, without even knowing it, the next DEF LEPPARD album."

According to Collen, DEF LEPPARD has "already started recording" material for its next release. "That takes a lot of the pressure off it," he explained. "I never get writer's block because I always stay busy. The great thing about music now is you can do it anytime with your computer. It's going to be awesome."

Collen added that the new DEF LEPPARD music will "come out in drips and drabs. It'll probably be a traditional album, but you never know," he said. "If someone says we need a new DEF LEPPARD song, we'll put it out. It's great to have every option available."

"Def Leppard" entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 10 with first-week sales of just over 30,000 units — nearly all from pure album sales.