East Rutherford, NJ - Media Reviews

Def Leppard @ Brendan Byrne Arena By Newark Star-Ledger

Def Leppard can't spell, but their message is clear: Loud and hard rules.

Mixing cuts from the long-awaited Mercury album, 'Hysteria', with classics from the multi-platinum 'Pyromania', Def Leppard brought down the house Saturday night at the Meadowlands Arena.

Keeping the crowd standing with a slash and burn guitar attack that overpowered eardrums and the PA.

Playing on a rotating octagonal stage set in the middle of the Meadowlands Arena, Def Leppard used a minimal amount of special effects.

The stray laser beam and requisite smoke serving as a parsley sprig to the musical meat.

This was a night to let the music do the talking, and Def Leppard spoke volumes.

Most of the sugar-coating from the studio was stripped away at the live performance, the raw power that caused critics to compare the early Leppard to Led Zeppelin emerging full and unchained.

The sonic assault was particularly noticeable on 'Photograph' and 'Hysteria', two cuts steamrollered into raging metal anthems from their recorded fluffiness.

By Newark Star-Ledger 1987.

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