Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen has said the band’s next studio album may not arrive until 2028, despite expectations of an early 2027 release. The band has continued recording since completing 2022’s Diamond Star Halos, but Collen stressed that it will be released only when the material is ready, reflecting their unhurried approach to making records.

The forthcoming album will include “Rejoice”, released in January before the group’s Las Vegas residency, which ended on 28 February 2026. Collen said Def Leppard’s varied songwriting draws inspiration from artists including David Bowie and Queen, whose members wrote markedly different songs while retaining a recognisable band identity; he also praised Queen guitarist Brian May as an underrated, collaborative player.