NEW YORK (AFP) - Heavy metal chart-toppers Def Leppard have released their latest video on Guitar Hero Live in what is believed to be the first premiere by an established band through a game.
The British rockers put out their latest single, “Dangerous,” on Wednesday night and said the video would be available solely on Guitar Hero Live, part of the popular series that lets gamers play the part of rock bands.
“The way our fans discover and listen to our music has evolved so much throughout the years,” singer Joe Elliott said in a statement.
“Whether they‘re playing on vinyl, streaming the songs online or playing along to our music video in Guitar Hero Live, it’s amazing to see how interactive music has become.”
Technology has quickly transformed the music industry in recent years, with a growing number of artists releasing works first via streaming sites or social media.
Def Leppard claimed the band was the first to release a video through a game, although a number of artists -- notably Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor -- have composed music specifically for inclusion in games.
Video game music has also become a genre on its own with a niche fan base, especially in Japan and Korea.
Def Leppard was one of the most successful heavy metal bands of the 1980s, packing arenas with guitar anthems and power ballads from their hit albums “High ‘n’ Dry,” “Pyromania” and “Hysteria.”
While the video is new, “Dangerous” was already out as part of Def Leppard‘s latest album that was released in late 2015.
The album, which is self-titled, was Def Leppard’s first in seven years.
