Drastic Symphonies

Product Information

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and including new vocals and instrumental from the band, Drastic Symphonies is available May 19th on clear and standard 2LP, limited edition 2LP picture disc, 1CD/Blu-ray, 1CD and digital formats. I think it was suggested by our record company,” he admits. “And record companies being record companies, they just wanted our greatest hits with strings on. But once the seeds had been sown, it really started taking off in true Def Leppard style. You throw yourself into it a hundred per cent.” And I think you have to if you're gonna use an orchestra. You may as well get the best version of yourself." Some of the songs – “Hysteria” and “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak,” in particular – seem like obvious choices to get the orchestral treatment. How did you decide which songs worked?

Cause it's like again what we're saying about we didn't just want to plonk on orchestra over our stuff and leave it at that." Dialling down the guitars and drums was a natural part of this process, to which all parties agreed without fuss.

That's why if you get certain songs and you've got guitars until the end of it. They're the bombastic ones

He recalls the conversations he had with members of the orchestra. “They were excited to do this because it was out of their comfort zone. Instead of playing Beethoven or Brahms or whatever, they’re blasting out Switch 625!” Likewise, this was a wholly new experience for the band.Ultimately, a project that nobody in Def Leppard had ever considered before has, according to Joe and Sav, turned into something profound. He also found himself wondering how this might sound in a live performance, with band and orchestra. At Abbey Road the musicians of the Philharmonic dressed casually, one even wearing a Def Leppard T-shirt. But as Joe says now, “You start picturing them in tuxedos, at the Albert Hall, and you’re imagining an audience hearing this live the first time. But we’re just happy with how this record has turned out.”