DANKO JONES releases new single featuring MARTY FRIEDMAN

DANKO JONES releases new single 'Diamond In The Rough' featuring MARTY FRIEDMAN

13-10-2025

DANKO JONES is back with an explosive new single, “Diamond In The Rough”, the latest cut from the band’s upcoming album “Leo Rising”, due 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 former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman. Directed by Patric Ulleaus, the “Diamond In The Rough” music video is a loose spoof on “Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park”. Even though this a DANKO JONES song, the KISS cover band WICKED KISSER stepped in to lip sync in the accompanying music video. The song — not the video — features Friedman on lead guitar.

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.

Watch “Diamond In The Rough” below.

DANKO JONES, recently announced their new album Leo Rising. Produced by longtime collaborator Eric Ratz, the album drops on November 21, 2025, via Perception – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music and Sonic Unyon (for Canada).

Pre-orders, limited edition vinyl variants, and special merch available AT THIS LOCATION.

Following the rabid reception to the opening salvo “What You Need” and the party-starting anthem “Everyday Is Saturday Night”, Leo Rising turns the dial past eleven with razor-sharp riffs, thunderous rhythms, and fist-pumping hooks. Guitar legend Marty Friedman (MEGADETH, CACOPHONY) makes a blistering guest appearance on the future single “Diamond in the Rough,” while other standouts – from the priapic swagger of “Hot Fox” to the roof-rattling “It’s a Celebration” – prove DANKO JONES are keeping rock alive by doing it better than anyone else.

“I like the routine of recording, touring, writing, repeat — I can do that till I’m dead,” grins frontman Danko Jones. “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! Leo Rising is another serving of peerless hard rock: bass, drums, guitar, vocals -no frills. Roll the windows down and crank it.”

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 – 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

Watch the previously released “What You Need” and ‘Everyday Is Saturday Night’ below.

DANKO JONES live:
27.06.2025 EE Tallinn – Rock Festival
05.07.2025 DE Mainburg – Festival Holledau
06.07.2025 DE Hünxe – Ruhrpott Rodeo NEW
17.07.2025 FI Seinäjoki – Vauhtiajot
19.07.2025 NL Lichtenvoorde – Zwarte Cross
25.07.2025 NO Fredrikstad – Månefestivalen
26.07.2025 DE Mönchengladbach – Bob! Fest
04.08.2025 CA Saskatoon, SK – EX
09.08.2025 DE Eschwege – Open Flair
15.08.2025 NO Alta – Alta Live
16.08.2025 NO Hardstad – Bakgården
17.08.2025 CH Cudrefin (VD) – Rock The Lakes
23.08.2025 DE Haddeby – Baltic Open Air

“Danko Jones Is What You Need” Tour 2025 – Europe

w/ TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS
19.11.2025 FI Helsinki – Tavastia
21.11.2025 SE Stockholm – Münchenbryggeriet

22.11.2025 NO Oslo – Vulkan Arena
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

Social media