Def Leppard’s “On Through The Night” LP is what I consider to be a “no skipper.” With a phenomenal debut album and one of my favorite bands to come out of the new wave of British heavy metal, they might as well be my favorite 80s band as well. 

The track list: 

Rock Brigade

Hello America 

Sorrow Is A Woman 

It Could Be You 

Satellite 

When The Walls Came Tumbling Down 

Wasted 

Rocks Off

It Don’t matter 

Answer To The Master

Overture 

“Rock Brigade” jumps right into this classic with that class high gain guitar riff followed by the drums queuing the rest in. There’s no doubt that the song isn’t called “Rock Brigade” as it is the main lyrics of the chorus but viewing this from a perspective of when the album was released, the music sounds very tight and together. I love all of the drum fills featured in this song along with a progressive yet repeating rhythm. 

“Hello America” has another catchy rhythm and defined chorus which is common in most Def Leppard songs. It starts with multiple overtracks of vocals singing “Hello America” which kick off into this surprising heavy riff. I really like how all the lyrics flow together into the chorus with the slight synth effects in the background. I like to think of this song as an introduction for the British heavy metal to America. 

The third song on the album is “Sorrow Is A Woman.” This one feels a lot bigger than the rest and there’s a few things that I might be able to point out why. It starts off at a slower tempo that the previous songs, but still delivers this rock drive. It then moves into this softer Hotel California type sound acoustically, which repeats until it moves into a ripping solo from Pete Willis. 

“It Could Be You” is another fast paced and heavy song that I wish Def Leppard continued to their later years. The way that the chorus sung by Joe Elliot creates a unique feel which I think makes me love this song so much. 

“Satellite” is another top song on this album for sure. It opens with an eerie sound, most likely depicting some kind of satellite. I like the build up and a rising feel that occurs into the chorus. Around half way through the song it feels like it’s going to kick into the chorus. nstead goes into this short soft part that throws off the solo that’s about to pierce through out of nowhere. It throws it off in a good way. 

The final track on the first side is “When The Walls Came Tumbling Down.” It creates this mystic vibe with a calm but spooky narration from Dave Cousins. It’s cut off by drums and heavy guitars which transition into another fast paced beat which sets the tone. Throughout the song there’s these small background licks on the guitar which can only prepare someone so much until the solo. 

Flipping the record, my favorite Def Leppard song of all is “Wasted.” It has such a simple approach. Yet years later, I haven’t gotten sick of it. The riff is definitely what sticks out the most to me because It is probably the heaviest out of all of their albums. This is also one of the songs my band mate and I had first fully learned on guitar and drums when we first got together. The chorus is always something I love to scream out and the lyrics aren’t entirely complex, so It’s not a hard one either. 

“Rocks Off,” is definitely another Def Leppard classic which isn’t hard to tell by the first bit of guitar. The complexity of the riff and how it is delivered just seems right to me and can even be danced too despite how heavy it is. After a tribal-like beat from Rick Allen it builds up into another buildup which features this delayed sounding guitar. Something about it catches my attention and is definitely my favorite part of the song. I always like to point out the scream before the solo as well. 

“It Don’t Matter,” is a bit different from the rest because instead of drums pausing throughout a beat, the drums keep a steady one with cool bass fills. The guitar plays and pauses intricately basing the riff around the drums. This upbeat song heavily differs from the next song to follow and one of my favorites, “Answer To The Master.” This is definitely that early heavy metal theme coming back into place. With deeper and darker lyrics, a cool switch around the middle of the song leaves room for drummer Rick Allen to shine. All cuts out and Allen lays down a few chops and a clean transition back into the song. 

Finally wrapping things up and putting a stamp on this perfect album, “Overture.” The opening two minutes has this softer melodic acoustic tune with some harmonizing. It almost feels like a “Thanks for listening, you can now rest your ears.” It’s not quite over though as it picks back up and does what most overtures do and gives an ending instrumental heavy feel. There are some soft poetical lyrics but nothing that shoots out causing me to get back on my feet. Instead when I listen to it I can just sit back and really appreciate the musicianship, especially when the solo with a kicking wah pedal comes into my ears. It’s a great end to an amazing album and early Def Leppard will always be up there with my favorites.