East Rutherford, NJ - Media Reviews

Def Leppard @ Brendan Byrne Arena By Billboard Magazine

Def Leppards still has bite as it heads toward the finish line on its marathon world Hysteria tour.

At the third of three sold out performances here (Sep 21-23) the UK band delivered two hours of powerful, anthemic album rock.

The show closely paralleled Leppard's two-night stop here last fall, kicking into fourth gear about mid-set with 'Foolin''.

Toward the end of the set, such recent singles as 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' and 'Love Bites' drew particularly strong reactions from the audience.

Energized by a 15-minute shout-along orchestrated by lead singer Joe Elliott.

Leppard, still performing in the round, delivered enough smoke, lasers, and bombast to satisfy most jaded special effects fan.

Still, the smoke had its drawbacks; it rolled continuously out like London fog, the chalky mist creating nonstop coughing throughout the house.

But none of the pyrotechnic fireworks matched the sheer power of the music.

Filled with big hooks, big harmonies, big guitars, and bigger attitude, particularly on the show-closing crowd favourite 'Photograph'.

By Billboard Magazine 1988.

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