'Def Leppard's' first album and the only one that really qualifies to be reviewed by a Hard Rock / Metal review site, as after this it all ventures far too deeply into the realm of Rock Ballads. Here though 'Def Leppard' help start the NWOBHM movement with undoubtedly one of the best albums from that short genre. Overall not quite as lively as 'Raven', 'Saxon' or 'Iron Maiden' but all the tracks are strong and all told a lot heavier than those from later releases.

The album opens with 'Rock Brigade' a strong effort which features excellent driving riff work, catchy if unremarkable lyrics and fine trademark vocal harmonies on the chorus. The pace softens for the more commercial sounding 'Hello America' a track more in the style of later albums, a little repetitive for my liking but it's decent enough. Next up is 'Sorrow is a Woman' a catchy and emotionally performed ballad come rocker, which trades lighter verses with more up tempo sections, the guitar work is excellent as are the rhythm section. It's back to the typical NWOBHM sound with the pulsating 'It could be You', in fact parts remind me of 'Tygers of Pan Tang' first album, unfortunately it just comes off far too basic for it's own good. Improvements are made with 'Satellite', but lyrically it's a let down especially with the weak chorus, fortunately the fret work makes up for it with their best 'Van Halen' impression. Side one closes with 'When the Walls came Tumbling Down' and features a short apocalyptic tale which in turn matures to a fine plodding rocker which has the markings of a class track, regrettably the chorus is weak and repetitive and completely spoils it for me. Side two is a lot better than the first in my opinion and not much betters the pulsating 'Wasted', a song really in the 'NWOBHM' fashion with hearty rhythm, simplistic but punchy lyrics and flowing fret work. The fine run continues with the falsified live track 'Rocks Off' another pulsating number that's not dissimilar from work by fellow NWOBHM group 'Tank'. 'It Don't Matter' follow and in all honesty is easily the weakest track on the second side, it just sounds run of the mill and probably owes a little to 'Deep Purple's' 'Coverdale' era. It's difficult to pick the strongest song present but I think 'Answer to the Master' gets my vote, the riff work is different and catchy, with strong lyrics which are further bolstered by some choice guitar work. The album closes with the semi epic 'Overture' a mature effort, which sways from lively to balladsy, parts sound like 'Race with the Devil', but it all comes together surprisingly well for another album highlight.

In all honesty I can't warm to later recordings by 'Def Leppard', while they are superbly produced, they're just too Pop-Metal for my listening. This however is an important slab of NWOBHM and I have to pay them respect for that!. I would think this is the least popular album for Die-hard 'Leppard' fans who like the more commercial stuff, NWOBHM fans like myself should appreciate this one the best though.