St. Louis, MO - Media Reviews

Def Leppard Overcome Acoustics Of the Arena By David Surkamp

Rock fans braved blizzard conditions to see the British quintet Def Leppard perform at the Arena on Wednesday evening.

The group is riding high on the success of its latest Polygram album, 'Hysteria', and its first concert tour in nearly four years.

Def Leppard's brand of heavy metal blends sledgehammer guitar riffs and multiple vocal harmonies into an exciting rock style.

The band's melodies are simple enough to come across with real power despite the cavernous acoustics of The Arena - not such a simple task, as many acts have discovered to their dismay over the years.

Singer Joe Elliott and the rest of the band held court on a circular stage that is an abbreviated version of the one used in most venues on the tour.

Because of technical difficulties, Def Leppard was forced to use only about half of its production.

However, with a small arsenal of fog machines, lasers and computerized follow spots that The Arena allowed, the atmosphere the band produced was surprisingly effective.

Guitarists Phil Collen and Steve Clark were like matching bookends with their tightly arranged six-string attack.

While both guitarists utilise a heavy guitar sound, Collen tends towards a sweeter, more lyrical style. leaving the crunching, bend-note wailing for Clark.

Together, they come across with a one-two punch that is undeniably potent.

By St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1988.

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