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Posted on Sat, Jun. 25, 2005
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Def Leppard shows it can still rock Review

By ALAN K. STOUT astout@leader.net

WILKES-BARRE TWP. – It has been 22 years since Def Leppard exploded into the
world of rock 'n' roll with the release of its third album, "Pyromania." In that
time, they've had a guitarist die, a drummer lose an arm and, in the mid-'90s,
they saw the arrival of grunge briefly kick them off the public's radar.

No matter.

Lep rocks on, and though they do it to smaller crowds and with less fanfare,
they are still a very good band blessed with a gift for combining cunning
hard-rock riffs with terrific melodies.

The group, performing at Wachovia Arena before a crowd of 3,800, offered a solid
though sometimes workmanlike show that featured plenty of big hits from its
mid-'80s heyday and, thankfully, a few nuggets from deeper in its catalog.

It's no secret that as Lep's career progressed, its members became more
infatuated with a big, polished hard-rock sound featuring lots of slick
production, and tunes such as "Hysteria," "Armageddon It," "Rocket" and "Love
Bites" – all from 1987's 14-million selling "Hysteria" album – aptly represented
that era of the band. But still, it was with driving tunes such as 1981's "Let
It Go" and 1983's "Foolin' " where the group shined just as bright.

Take off the gloss, and Def Leppard can usually be an even better band.

The 40-ish Leps, still lean and fit, also still carry some '80s-style charisma
and swagger. The band's members confidently strutted the big arena stage like
they've been there forever, and though singer Joe Elliot has lost quite a bit of
range and his voice lacked command early in the set, it grew stronger deeper
into the show.

Same goes for the sound and the mix. Initially, a bit muddy, but fine clarity by
mid-set.

Musically, Leppard's members have always been great players, and guitarists
Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen stepped up for notice on several occasions. The
group also offered some clever use of video, as some of the live shots appeared
semi-animated on a large video screen behind the stage.

Lep closed the show with a string of favorites, including "Photograph,"
"Animal," "Bringing on the Heartbreak" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me."

Appropriately, one of the biggest songs of the night was "Rock of Ages," a true
rock classic that championed the phrase "It's better to burn out than fade
away."

Def Leppard, 22 years after "Pyromania" sold 10 million units, has apparently
done neither.