Danko Jones – Leo Rising
Release Date: 28th November 2025
Label: Perception
Order/Stream
Genre: Hard Rock
FFO: Turbonegro, Monster Truck, Thundermother, Airbourne.
Review By: Paul Franklin
“If you want it, you got it, we’re gonna give you what you need”
That is the opening line to the opening track, and if what you want is solid, down-to-earth, ass kicking rock ‘n’ roll, then this 12th album by Canadian stalwarts Danko Jones is indeed what you need.
Resolutely abiding by the old adage that has served them well over the years, i.e.’If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, Leo Rising is another gimmick free, attitude packed celebration of the holy Trinity – guitar, bass and drums.
Talking of impressive threesomes, it would take some extra extraordinarily open-minded individuals with access to an Ann Summers warehouse to keep up with the opening salvo presented here. What You Need kicks down the door and in swaggers in with that trademark Danko Jones conviction. Diamond in the Rough take a grittier approach to Thin Lizzy-esque hard rock and embellishes it with a searing solo from guitar icon Marty Friedman. Everyday Is Saturday Night is a jubilant, neon infused bar crawl with a bottomless kitty and no tolerance for shandy drinkers.
The rest of the album then plays out exactly like you know it should…with a blast of energetic joy and an unwavering dedication to rocking out and having a good time.
As subtle and nuanced as a Michael Bay blockbuster, and all the better for it!
(3.5 / 5)
