Syracuse, NY - Media Reviews

Def Leppard By Joe Hughes

After two decades and nine albums, Def Leppard is still rocking arenas and sheds through out the world supporting their latest release, "Euphoria." Once again the Leps invaded the Syracuse Fairgrounds and delivered a set of classic Def Leppard hits along with a couple of new tracks.

Def Leppard took the stage in blaze, ripping through "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)" from their 1983 release, "Pyromania." From the moment they hit the stage, it was obvious that the Leps still have the fire they had back in the early eighties. The pace was continued with a Leppardized rendition of the classic Sweet song "Action," a song rarely performed in the States. They then ripped through such singles as "Make Love Like A Man," "Animal," "Foolin'," and "Slang," the title track from their 1996 departure album.

The band then took the pace down with an acoustic set including "Two Steps Behind" from the "Last Action Hero" soundtrack, and a semi-acoustic version of "Bringing on the Heartbreak" from the "High and Dry" days. This live version of "Two Steps Behind" may soon be featured as a downloadable file on the official Def Leppard website, www.DefLeppard.com.

The night was a battle of the guitar gods, as Phil Collen offered a set of guitar solos of intense speed and accuracy, while Vivian Campbell delivered bluesy and sustained solos, leaving every guitarist green with envy. A highlight of every Leppard show is Vivian’s ride-out solo on "Love Bites," a number one hit from the "Hysteria" album.

Highlights of the evening included an amazing version of "Excitable" from the "Hysteria" album as well as "Gods of War" which featured a light show that brought the song to life. Other high points of the evening were "Paper Sun" and the hit single "Promises" from the "Euphoria" album.

The entire night was one hit after another as they blasted through fan favorites that ruled the eighties such as "Rocket," "Photograph," "Armageddon It," and, of course, the record-breaking hit "Pour Some Sugar On Me."

The show ended with drummer Rick Allen introducing the fist throwing rock anthem "Rock of Ages" from "Pyromania."

Def Leppard returned to the stage for a emotional encore performance of "Love Bites" and the first single off the "Adrenalize" album, "Let’s Get Rocked."

The Syracuse Fairgrounds shouldn’t have wasted their time putting in seats for this show because I don’t think one person sat throughout the performance. There were times when the band was drowned out by the noise of the crowd.

You won’t find lasers or flashy guitar solos at a Def Leppard show anymore - just a stripped-down, in-your-face rock show packed with hit songs that everyone knows the words to. The audience included people whose ages ranged from five years to seventy years old.

Def Leppard has been the soundtrack to many of our lives. They are able to create the same vibe and sound in an arena as they do in the studio, without the use of samples or a fancy laser show. They did it back in the 80s and they can still do it today and that is a testament to their incredible talent and their continuing strong fan base even today.

By Rough Edge 2000.

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Def Leppard Keeps Crowd On Its Feet By Mark Bialczak

Singer Joe Elliott asked for the crowd's help. The rock fans at the State Fair Grandstand Monday night couldn't wait to assist their heroes.

"If you sing it louder than they did in Texas, we might put you on instead," Elliott said before Def Leppard launched into a very cool acoustic version of its hit "Two Steps Behind."

Who knows what version of the song will show up today on www.defleppard.com, but the fans in Syracuse sure did their best to outdo the folks from San Antonio.

It was a 100-100 show, when 100 percent of the fans stayed on their feet 100 percent of the time.

The sweat flew because the work of Elliott, guitarist Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick Savage and drummer Rick Allen unleashed a barrage of great songs.

Since the days they hit the charts with "Photograph" in 1983, Def Leppard has been the kind of band that works its crunchy but melodic rock until it captures your brain.

A bunch of happy "prisoners" sang along to most every song - "Hysteria," "Animal," "Foolin' ," "Rocket," "Let's Get Rocked" and "Rock of Ages." And, of course, "Pour Some Sugar on Me," which had fans throwing packets of the granular sweets on stage.

Elliott presided over the whole affair with the panache of a rock front man who knows his band has what it takes. The Brit is pure sassy 'tude, lording over the stage with the presence of a Mick Jagger.

But Elliott made sure his passionate side showed when he spied a medic working over a fallen comrade on the floor part of the grandstand.

"We're not fighting, are we?" Elliott said. "Thank God for that. Just passed out from the excitement. Let's give thanks to the medical staff."

It took a while, but the four guys in the modern rock band Days of the New won over the Leppard-anticipating crowd sometime toward the end of their hard and loud set. Days of the New rocks harder than any other band that basically employs two acoustic guitarists.

Their handful of radio songs slowly drew the fans in, including "Shelf in the Room" and "Downtown." They also unveiled a song from the band's third disc, which will be out shortly, and "Fighting with Clay" should become their next radio song.

But the clincher was definitely the finale, a blistering version of their most popular tune. Lead singer and guitarist Travis Meeks, guitarist Shane Vetter, bassist Dr. Konrad and drummer Ray Rizzo had everybody wound up for that one.

The crowd sang along to the lyrics "I've finally found the reason, I don't need an excuse, I've got time on my hands, you're the one to abuse." Then the fans went back to downing beers and buzzing for Def Leppard.

By Syracuse Online 2000.

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