Def Leppard are deep into work on their next studio album, and according to Joe Elliott, the band is now looking at an early 2027 release for what will be their 13th studio record. In a new interview with France 24, Elliott said the band already has 17 or 18 songs written and is essentially sitting on “almost two albums” worth of material.
The key detail is that the album is not just being written — it is already being recorded in pieces as the band continues to refine what belongs on the final track list. Elliott said they are still deciding which songs will make the first album, which suggests Def Leppard have more material than they need and are taking their time shaping the project rather than rushing it out.
This will be the follow-up to 2022’s Diamond Star Halos, which was their twelfth full-length album and their first new studio record since their 2015 self-titled release. The band has kept new music in motion since then, including the single “Rejoice,” which arrived in January 2026 ahead of their Las Vegas residency.
The timing also lines up with a busy stretch for the band. Def Leppard launched their third Las Vegas residency in February 2026 at Caesars Palace, and the new album window places the next release somewhere after that run, with Elliott’s comments pointing toward the first part of 2027 rather than any immediate drop.
For now, the message from Elliott is clear: Def Leppard are not done, they are not short on material, and the next chapter is already taking shape. The only real question is which songs end up on the album and which ones are held back for later.
