It's hard to believe the Lep's have been around 30+ years. Man, I'm getting old. I remember the first time I saw, Bringin on the Heartbreak, on MTV, and instantly falling in love with the band. They had a solid run for the next few albums, before hitting some rough patches, musically. Though they've had their ups and downs, over the past 30 years, it is hard to deny that they aren't a great band. It is up for debate, as to what album put this band on the map, but it would be hard to argue that it is not Hysteria. Though Pyromania took the band to a new level, it was really the success of Hysteria that catapulted them to the top of the hard rock heap.
To celebrate their landmark album Hysteria, Def Leppard took up residency at The Joint in Las Vegas and performed the record in its entirety. The band recorded the show and has recently released it as Viva! Hysteria. The show is available in a 2CD format as well as on DVD and Blu-ray. The set list is comprised of the Hysterdia album as well as many well known and less known classics. It is a solid set list, which makes one wonder, if the band will go into a heavier direction, for their next release.
The band sound great and extra heavy live. I was really impressed as to how well they sounded. Joe Elliot struggles at times vocally, but mainly in the beginning. By mid-set, he is hitting more of the notes he was missing in the beginning of the show. I think the best part of this package is the set list, mainly featured on the second disk. Their are several cuts featured from the first record as well as from High and Dry. I would have liked to have heard more off of Pyromania, but was good with what was performed.
Standout Tracks: Mirror, Mirror, Stagefright, Undefeated and Another Hit and Run.
Bottom Line: The Lep's proving they still got it. The band sound tight and heavier than I've heard them sound in a while. This gives me hope for the next studio release.
-Ragman is looking for a Union Jack T.