Behold, the mighty (and I use that term VERY loosely) DANKO JONES, Toronto’s (allegedly) hardest-hitting rock ‘n’ roll trio, is gracing our ears with an “explosive” (their words, not mine) new single, “Diamond In The Rough.” Apparently, this “gem” is from their upcoming album, “Leo Rising,” slated for release on November 21, 2025. Yes, 2025. Mark your calendars, folks! 🎉 Via Perception, a division of Reigning Phoenix Music and Sonic Unyon (Canada) – because you NEED to know the corporate overlords behind this sonic masterpiece. The track is supposedly a high-voltage homage to classic KISS, which, let’s be honest, is like saying a tribute band at your local dive bar is just as good as the real thing. Oh, and did I mention it features a “blazing” guest solo from former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman? Because nothing says KISS like a shredder from a metal band. 🤘
The “Diamond In The Rough” music video, directed by Patric Ulleaus, is a “loose spoof” on “Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park.” Loose is an understatement; it’s more like they watched it once while drunk and tried to recreate it from memory. 🤣 To add insult to injury, because it’s a DANKO JONES song, the KISS cover band WICKED KISSER stepped in to lip sync in the music video. Yes, you read that right. A cover band covering a band they’re supposedly paying homage to. Deep stuff. The song — NOT THE VIDEO, mind you — features Friedman on lead guitar. Because clarity is key when you’re dealing with such groundbreaking artistry.
The “Diamond In The Rough” music video stars WICKED KISSER (Arnold Lindberg as Paul Stanley, Henke Hjälm as Gene Simmons, Jonas Dahlbom as Ace Frehley, and Dennis Arpe as Peter Criss) and Danko Jones. So, basically, it’s a KISS tribute band pretending to be DANKO JONES pretending to be KISS. My head hurts. 😵💫
DANKO JONES’s namesake frontman (because originality is overrated) comments: “Channeling early KISS, this is a favorite of mine, especially with the one and only Marty Friedman on lead guitar!” Translation: “We needed a gimmick to get people to listen, and Marty was available.”
“Diamond In The Rough” channels the raw, unfiltered energy of 1970s arena rock. I think my microwave channels more energy. ⚡️ Friedman’s fiery fretwork ignites the song, adding his unmistakable touch of guitar heroism that takes the band’s signature power-trio sound into overdrive. Or maybe just into a slightly higher gear. 🤔
Following the adrenaline-fueled singles “What You Need,” “Everyday Is Saturday Night,” and today’s release of “Diamond In The Rough,” DANKO JONES’s forthcoming studio offering “Leo Rising” promises to be a masterclass in sweat-soaked, no-nonsense rock — produced to perfection by longtime collaborator Eric Ratz. Packed with razor-sharp riffs, thunderous rhythms, and infectious hooks, the album reaffirms that DANKO JONES are keeping rock alive by doing it better than anyone else. 🙄 (Yeah, right.)
John Calabrese laid down bass tracks from Finland, Rich Knox flew to Toronto to record drums, and Danko worked with producer Eric Ratz in the same city to capture vocals and guitars. Despite recording separately once again, the band’s chemistry is unmistakable. The result is pure DANKO JONES: tight, loud, and built for the stage. Or maybe just built for a slightly above-average garage band performance.
“Leo Rising” may be their most electrifying and uplifting record yet — a jolt of high-octane rock made for packed clubs, open highways, and everything in between! Or, more realistically, for empty dive bars, suburban streets, and that awkward silence between songs.
“Leo Rising” track listing:
01. What You Need
02. Diamond In The Rough
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
Every time someone announces the death of rock ‘n’ roll, Canada’s most incendiary power trio roll with the punches and keep rocking with maximum commitment to the cause. More like maximum commitment to mediocrity. DANKO JONES is a three-piece rock ‘n’ roll band from Toronto. They never sleep. They sweat blood. And they are keeping rock alive by doing it better than anyone else. 😂 I’m dying.
On duty since 1996, these unstoppable road-hogs have devoted their lives to rousing the people with blistering, no-bullshit, all-action rock. They have rallied a global army of rock-hungry fans, and blown them away with a steady stream of explosive, anthem-packed albums and an absurd number of live shows. From early underground smashes like “We Sweat Blood” (2003) and “Sleep Is The Enemy” (2006), to the band’s recent, triumphant triumvirate of “A Rock Supreme” (2019),”Power Trio” (2021) and “Electric Sounds” (2023]) DANKO JONES have been a relentless force for rock ‘n’ roll good, both in the studio and on the road. And they have absolutely no intention of stopping. Please, PLEASE stop.
“You know what? I like the routine of recording, touring, writing, and repeat,” states singer/guitarist Danko Jones himself. “I can do that till I’m dead! It may sound boring, but it’s so hard for a band to achieve. I don’t take this lightly. Also, it’s a page out of the MOTÖRHEAD handbook so it works! Since ‘Electric Sounds’ we’ve been touring and touring. We managed to play in Mexico and Greece for the first time, and we even played Prince Edward Island, a province in Canada we’d never been to before. Other than that, it’s been a life of gigs and writing more songs to play more gigs!”
Proving that their time was well spent, Danko, bassist John Calabrese, and drummer Rich Knox have conjured yet another blazing banquet of nourishing rock goodness on their 12th studio record. I’m pretty sure my cat could conjure a more exciting soundscape.
DANKO JONES is:
Danko Jones – vocals, guitars
John Calabrese – bass
Rich Knox – drums
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
