DANKO JONES – Leo Rising (2025) *HQ*

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We know Canada has a history of incredible rock trio’s and like a persistent itch DANKO JONES has been eating away at the music business to burst their way into that conversation and with latest album ”Leo Rising” they have shown that they just cannot be ignored.
Danko Jones are the picture you see when you look up the word consistent. Album after album they churn out solid, down to earth Rock anthems, and with album number 12 they have once again provided us with an ass kicking, 11 track banger.
Leo Rising is another medal on the uniform of Danko Jones. The album never lets up and there is not one weak song on it. It is something that has to be listened to in its entirety and if you do, you are rewarded with an album that you will instantly fall in love with.
Far to often these days you get albums with songs you love and songs you could care less for. With this release I cannot pick a worst or best track. The album flies by and it is honestly a journey that will reward you with a feelgood factor that will keep bringing you back time after time.

The album opens with “What You Need” which is a high octane Punk infused monster. This is the blueprint for great songwriting and the song fizzes and pops with energy. Next up is ” Diamonds in the Rough” and this is steeped in classic Rock. This harks back to the bands I fell in love with. It is urgent, it has a beat to behold and a vocal performance that screams Rock god.
With a song titled “Everyday is Saturday” you know you are going to get a whole load of fun and it delivers. This is as catchy as hell with a thunderous riff that AC/DC copyrighted. You can do nothing but enjoy and smile.

This ain’t no Kiss song but “I Love it Louder” has all the hallmarks of that classic. To the point, resolute and based on the life the boys live. This is an anthem they live by and this is a song to get the horns in the air too. Sheer class.
On “I’m Going Blind” I got a real Georgia Satellites feel. A tinge of Southern, a little splash of Pop and a whole heap of 70s Glam. Another fun number that veered off the usual path, one of those trips that takes you somewhere new that you love.

“Hot Fox” comes at you like a cross between White Stripes and Electric Six. the song has a vibe that has your brain hard wired to love. The musicianship of the trio is on fire here. It is simple yet complicated and once again a barnstorming beast of a track.
With “It’s a Celebration” you really get the feel that this band know exactly what works. Their constant touring has honed them into a musical monster that takes no steps backward. They have taken the Motorhead playbook of write, record and tour to a new level and when you have that consistency excellent songs are easy to come by.

Singer Danko takes on his best Alice Cooper vocals for “Pretty Stuff”. He almost growls his way through this number and the melody driven track ticks away in your head for days. I loved this sleaze driven number from the very first dirty assed riff. With another scuzzy riff and a sloppy bass say hello to “Gotta Let Go”. The band slip into their Ramones vibe and like those boys they kill the who gives a shit vibe. Another stonking track.
Like a continuation for the previous song “I Can’t Stop” comes at you with its staccato guitars and stop start lyrics. This is a sped up Springsteen or Mellencamp with guitars from the swamp.

We finish on a banger with “Too Slick for Love”. It flashes brilliance with its metal Blues vibe and the vocals are completely on point. Then main man is on fire here. It is as if someone has just said prove you can sing and he says hold my beer and grabs a mic.
Highly Recommended

01 – What You Need
02 – Diamond In The Rough (feat. Marty Friedman)
03 – Everyday Is Saturday Night
04 – I Love It Louder
05 – I’m Going Blind
06 – Hot Fox
07 – It’s A Celebration
08 – Pretty Stuff
09 – Gotta Let It Go
10 – I Can’t Stop
11 – Too Slick For Love

Danko Jones: Vocals, guitar
John “JC” Calabrese: Bass
Rich Knox: Drums

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