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Concert review: Def Leppard, Vector Arena By Scott Kara

So they played all the big hits, and nothing but the hits, with Rocket a highlight thanks to Elliot's Gregorian chant-meets-hair metal vocal midway through.

But first up there's Undefeated, basically a homage to Def Leppard (and why not - it's been more than three decades and still counting).

And on the instrumental Switch 625, written by the band's late guitarist and bad boy Steve Clark, they ditched the hair bit and just played metal (albeit with a fantastical touch).

While Hysteria was a little dreary, with Elliot's muffled and coy mutterings, it was a solid day at the arena office for these 80s survivors.

By New Zealand Herald 2011.

Read the full review at - nzherald.co.nz

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By Marty Duda

I've never been a big Def Leppard fan, and they did little to change my mind tonight. Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Rick Allen, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell took the stage at 9:30 and opened with the studio song from their new live album (I know that sounds ridiculous) called Undefeated. The guys looked in pretty good nick, especially Phil Collin who felt that wearing a shirt was optional tonight. The band rocked through a 15-song set of their greatest hits, wheeling out competent versions of fan favourites like Love Bites, Rocket and Animal.

They broke up the stadium rock with a brief acoustic set featuring Two Steps Behind and Bringing On The Heartbreak, before heading back to the generic riffing of Hysteria and Armageddon It. Joe Elliott is not the most charismatic front man or most gifted vocalist and he sounded a bit ragged on 1983’s Photograph. Vivian Campbell played a couple of tasty solos, particularly on Love Bites. Otherwise, there were no surprises. As usual, Pour Some Sugar On Me and Rock Of Ages closed the night.

So, two bands who haven't been relevant in at least 20 years, still cranking out the hits. Of the two, it seemed like Heart was having the most fun, which is probably why they chose so many covers over their own songs, while Def Leppard seemed to be there simply to relive past glories.

By 13th Floor 2011.

Read the full review at - 13thfloor.co.nz

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Review: Def Leppard By Bridget Jones

Luckily for nervous fans, there were only a handful of the new songs - including the opening track and new single Undefeated - with the band instead doing exactly what everyone was there for; cranking out the stadium rock.

This was the band's return trip after a sold-out show at the same venue in 2007, and the fans were undoubtedly excited about the return.

Flying through hits like Rocket, Love Bites, Pour Some Sugar On Me and Hysteria, the band possibly best known for Rick Allen - drummer with one arm - nailed it.

Front man Joe Elliott's voice is in pretty good nick, considering the number of years under his belt, and the band as a whole sounded like a well-oiled machine. And so they should after more than 30 years in the business. The guitar solos have been well and truly perfected, the leather pants worn in and the hair is as big as ever.

Like I said, I am not a natural fan of the 80s but these pros sure do know how to rock.

By Stuff 2011.

Read the full review at - stuff.co.nz

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