"Hysteria" by Def Leppard: A Guitarist's Guide

"Hysteria" is Def Leppard's fourth studio album, released in 1987. The follow-up to the band’s 1983 breakthrough Pyromania, Hysteria is the fourth studio album by English hard rock band Def Leppard, released on 3 August 1987. Hysteria is Def Leppard’s best-selling album to date, selling over 25 million copies worldwide, including 12 million in the US, and spawning an incredible seven hit singles. The album charted at number 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart.  

It's a landmark in the arena of rock music, thanks to the perfect blend of hard rock with pop sensibilities. The album's distinctive sound is characterized by melodic hooks, multi-layered guitars, and intricate arrangements. The lead guitarist, Phil Collen, made significant contributions to this sound, providing a blend of tasteful solos, riffs, and guitar techniques that guitarists around the world still study today. Let's dive into the individual tracks to uncover the guitar mastery within this album.

In this guitar lesson course, LickLibrary veteran, Jamie Humphries walks you through the many highlights of each song from the hard rock icons, one phrase at a time.

Guitar Lessons in This Course

Guitar Lesson 1: "Women"

This track features a strong riff and uses scales like the E minor pentatonic. The guitar solo section is rich with string bending and vibrato, providing a bluesy feel to the hard rock sound.

Guitar Lesson 2: "Rocket"

"Rocket" displays a compelling rhythmic structure using palm muting techniques and power chords. The solo section uses alternate picking, providing a crisp and dynamic sound, adding tension and release throughout.

Guitar Lesson 3: "Animal"

"Animal" demonstrates a keen sense of melody with its infectious riff. The solo in this track features legato techniques that seamlessly connect the notes, making it smooth and fluid.

Guitar Lesson 4: "Love Bites"

The lead guitar in this song combines power chords with arpeggios, creating a textured backdrop for the song's love-themed lyrics. The solo is expressive, with extensive use of double stops and slides, adding to the emotive quality of the track.

Guitar Lesson 5: "Pour Some Sugar on Me"

One of Def Leppard's most recognized songs, this track is driven by open-string riffs and syncopated rhythms. The solo features pinched harmonics that give it a sharp, biting tone.

Guitar Lesson 6: "Armageddon It"

Here, Collen's use of two-handed tapping adds a unique flair to the track. The use of harmonics throughout adds texture, and the guitar solo is packed with a blend of techniques, including sustain and string bending.

Guitar Lesson 7: "Gods of War"

This track showcases the use of tremolo picking in its riff, creating an atmospheric sound. The solo features alternate picking and slides, providing a rich and complex tone.

Guitar Lesson 8: "Don't Shoot Shotgun"

Chord progressions and palm muting drive this track, with the solo blending sweep picking and alternate picking, which adds intricacy and intensity to the song.

Guitar Lesson 9: "Run Riot"

Featuring fast-paced galloping rhythms, the track "Run Riot" includes a solo rich in rakes and legato. The chord progressions are punchy, contributing to the track's energetic vibe.

Guitar Lesson 10: "Hysteria"

The title track showcases Collen's use of arpeggiated chord progressions and octave melodies. The solo utilizes sweep picking, providing a majestic quality.

Guitar Lesson 11: "Excitable"

A more upbeat track, "Excitable" highlights the use of palm muting and power chords. The guitar solo employs two-handed tapping and hammer-ons, making it a lively and thrilling piece.

Guitar Lesson 12: "Love and Affection"

This track concludes the album with a softer touch, using finger-picking techniques and altered tunings. The solo combines hybrid picking with slides, adding depth to the composition.

Lead Guitarist: Phil Collen

Phil Collen's contributions to this album cannot be overstated. His ability to seamlessly integrate various techniques with a deep sense of melody and rhythm helped shape "Hysteria" into a classic. Whether employing bluesy bends, intricate two-handed tapping, or powerful string bending, Collen's touch added soul, depth, and complexity to the album.

Techniques Used in This Album

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Pinched Harmonics
• Slides
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Sweep Picking
• String Bending
• Open-String Riffs
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Hammer-Ons
• Octave Melodies
• Galloping Rhythms
• Altered Tunings

With this comprehensive analysis, guitarists can further appreciate the artistry behind "Hysteria" and gain insights to the masterful techniques that helped define a generation of rock music.

NB: PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS COURSE