Pyromania was LIT before that was a thing 🔥

Can you believe that Def Leppard’s Pyromania dropped 42 years ago? In my opinion, Pyromania is still one of the best rock albums of the 80s, and has stood the test of time. It paved the way for NWOBHM – the rest of that Brit invasion bringing more heavy metal to these shores.

Why I love this album is because it’s a significant gear-shift for Def Leppard, they switched effortlessly from a heavier metal sound to more anthemic, arena-ready power ballads. It’s this sound that brought Def Leppard to the masses. Pyromania was their breakthrough, it got everyone’s att

ention – and allowed me to say “that’s the band I was telling you about!” 

OK, it wasn’t just me that blasted Pyromania to the masses, the melodic hooks and singable lyrics garnered heavy rotation on MTV and on radio. It started this pop-metal love affair that allowed more rock bands to reach a bigger audience that wasn’t really “acceptable” before. In fact the album was so full of riffs and hooks that I think every single track on the LP charted, which was unheard of those (pre-streaming) days. 

I still remember hearing “Photograph” on the radio in 83, just after Christmas I believe. One listen and I was hunting down the cassette at my local Tower records store. Checkit

That album soundtracked my 1983: “Photograph” in the winter, “Rock of Ages” all summer, and then it was “Too Late for Love” at Christmas. These songs take me back to good old days, when me and my buddies we were trying (way too hard) to be cool and have a rebellious streak, we were rockin out to Rock of Ages on repeat – who’d’ve known that it would become a frikkin musical!! We all tried to figure out what Mutt meant with “Gunter glieben glauchen globen” – you know something – I STILL don’t know! 

F***! that was 42 years ago. My joints might creak a bit more than back then, but when I crank up this album, I feel like a kid again. Nostalgia hits hard, and Pyromania still burns bright.

So, what’s your take? Did this album light your fire? 

Keep rockin’

Sam 🤘

P.S. If you’re feeling the heat, get one of these hot Pyromania tees.🔥