Allentown, PA - Media Reviews

Def Leppard @ Allentown Fair By Allentown Morning-Call

Even before the band took the stage, more than 100 audience members, most of whom had fainted from heat exhaustion, were hoisted over the heads of the crowd and into the arms of emergency medical technicians and security guards.

Jammed like sardines, the sweat-stained spectators were too pressed to move.

Those who made it through the show saw a band intent on stretching heavy metal far beyond its commonly perceived limits.

During numbers like the blues-flavoured 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', 'Too Late For Love', 'Gods Of War' and 'Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)' members of the British quintet made it clear that they had discovered new ways to reconcile smooth melodies with rough rock and roll.

Hammering guitar riffs and bass riffs with perfectly nailed harmonies.

The lovely acoustic ballad 'Bringin' On The Heartbreak' was a clever respite from the raunch.

Using lasers to augment rather than detract from the song's message, Elliott delivered one of the show's surprise highlights.

Unlike the majority of interchangeable metal outfits, Def Leppard brims with never-say-die spirit.

That, and a new musical maturity, set the band apart.

By Allentown Morning-Call 1988.

Back

share this page: