Atlanta, GA - Media Review Quotes

By Melissa Ruggieri

While it took singer Joe Elliott a couple of songs to find his upper range, guitarist Phil Collen ably aided on the high notes, while the rest of the band – bassist Rick Savage, guitarist Vivian Campbell and drummer Rick Allen – helped produce Def Leppard’s signature layered sound to near-perfection.

Watching Collen attack the fretboard and Allen, in bare feet, dexterously work his drum pedals, was a bonus to hearing their handiwork. And what a relief to see Campbell looking buff and strong as he continues to battle Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

After whizzing through an accelerated version of “Let’s Get Rocked,” in all its clichéd glory, Def Leppard took a two-song acoustic detour with a lovely “Two Steps Behind” – Elliott’s distinctive rasp sounded much better when not being forced to screech at 1982 levels – and the ever-ethereal “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak,” which eventually burst into a full-blown electric version.

A highlight came with the melodically rich “Hysteria,” which was paired with video clips of the band from its early days, with plenty of mullets, baby faces and original guitarist Steve Clark making appearances.

By Access Atlanta 2014.

Read the full review/26 photos at - ajc.com

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