Published: October 14, 2025
Canadian rocker Danko Jones unleashes Diamond in the Rough a fiery tribute to Kiss featuring a killer guest solo by former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman.
Toronto’s hardest-hitting rock ’n’ roll trio DANKO JONES are back with their explosive new single “Diamond In The Rough”, the latest cut from their upcoming album Leo Rising — out November 21, 2025, via Perception – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music and Sonic Unyon (Canada)
The track is a high-voltage homage to classic KISS, supercharged by a blazing guest solo from guitar legend Marty Friedman (MEGADETH, CACOPHONY).
The band comments: “Channeling early Kiss, this is a favorite of mine, especially with the one and only Marty Friedman on lead guitar!”
“Diamond In The Rough” channels the raw, unfiltered energy of 1970s arena rock. 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.
Listen / Download Click Here
Following the adrenaline-fueled singles “What You Need”, “Everyday Is Saturday Night,” and today’s release of “Diamond In The Rough”, DANKO JONES‘ 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.
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.
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!
Pre-order Leo Rising and exclusive vinyl editions Click Here.
Leo Rising - Track List
1 - What You Need
2 - Diamond In The Rough
3 - Everyday Is Saturday Night
4 - I Love It Louder
5 - I’m Going Blind
6 - Hot Fox
7 - It’s A Celebration
8 - Pretty Stuff
9 - Gotta Let It go
10 - I Can’t Stop
11 - Too Slick For Love
To celebrate the release, the band will hit the road this winter for the “Danko Jones Is What You Need” European Tour 2025, with TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS supporting on most dates:
19.11.2025 FI Helsinki – Tavastia
21.11.2025 SE Stockholm – Münchenbryggeriet
22.11.2025 NO Oslo - Vulkan Arena
25.11.2025 DE Hamburg - Markthalle
26.11.2025 DE Osnabrück – Rosenhof
27.11.2025 LU Luxembourg - Den Atelier
28.11.2025 NL Amsterdam – Melkweg
29.11.2025 UK London - The Underworld Camden
30.11.2025 UK Porthcawl - Planet Rockstock *
03.12.2025 BE Antwerp - Trix (Main Hall)
04.12.2025 FR Paris - Le Trabendo
06.12.2025 IT Milan - Legend Club
08.12.2025 DE Mannheim - Alte Feuerwache
09.12.2025 AT Salzburg – Rockhouse
10.12.2025 DE Munich - Backstage (Werk)
11.12.2025 DE Cologne - Carlswerk Victoria
12.12.2025 DE Berlin – Astra
13.12.2025 DE Hamburg – Docks
* DANKO JONES only
CANADIAN TOUR DATES 2026
01.30.26 London, ON @ London Music Hall
01.31.26 Toronto, ON @ The Axis Club
02.04.26 Winnipeg, AB @ The Park Theatre
02.05.26 Regina, SK @ Casino Regina
02.06.26 Sherwood Park, AB @ Festival Place
02.07.26 Vancouver, BC @ The Pearl
Tickets: Click Here
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. DANKO JONES are 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.
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.
“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, due for release later this year.
Watch the official video for “Diamond In The Rough” premiering here:
