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Def Leppard: Viva! Hysteria (CD/DVD)
 Wow, what a shedload of Leppard! If you are a fan of Sheffield's finest then this is very much an essential purpose. If, like me you're a casual fan you may find the sheer volume of songs and content on the DVD/Blu Ray somewhat overpowering. What one can definitely not accuse the band and their record company of is scrimping on good old value for money and for that they should be applauded.
Taking in sets which included the whole of the Hysteria album as well as the opening "Ded Flatbird" (see what they did there?) where the band supported themselves, this is all the Leppard anyone could ever need. In some way, shape or form, all the hits are included and performed very well. Obviously the main bones of contention with the Leps in a live environment are whether their intricate studio sound can be replicated in the live arena (mostly it can) and Joe Elliot's voice which has never exactly been rock's finest. Viva! Hysteria finds him in fine fettle and I can't find fault at all. With Christmas just around the corner this would make the ideal gift for the Lep fan in your life.
Track Listing:
CD1
Women; Rocket; Animal; Love Bites; Pour Some Sugar on Me; Armageddon It; Gods of War; Don't Shoot Shotgun; Run Riot; Hysteria; Excitable; Love and Affection; Rock of Ages; Photograph.
CD2
Ded Flatbird Set#1: Good Morning Freedom; Wasted; Stagefright; Mirror Mirror (Look Into My Eyes); Action; Rock Brigade; Undefeated; Promises - Ded Flatbird Set#2: On Through The Night; Slang; Let It Go; Another Hit And Run; High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night); Bringin' On The Heartbreak; Switch 625.
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DVD adds bonus content – Acoustic Set
When Love and Hate Collide
Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad
Two Steps Behind You
DVD / Blu Ray menu includes:
- Viva Hysteria
- Ded Flatbird Night 1
- Ded Flatbird Night 2
- Acoustic Set
- Photo Montage
Added: November 20th 2013
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score: 
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 3205
Language: english
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Def Leppard: Viva! Hysteria (CD/DVD)
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2013-11-19 18:02:02
My Score:
That a band like Def Leppard have managed to come all the way from the back streets of Sheffield to being a house band on the Las Vegas casino circuit really is testament to their popularity, determination and in this case, ability to overcome adversity. A guitarist sacked for alcohol issues, a drummer who lost an arm, a guitarist who sadly passed away when the band were at their peak and his replacement battling with cancer. That it all happened to one band is quite shocking, that they survived it all and still sound this good? Well that's amazing!
That any Rock band can be found in Las Vegas? Well don't blame the Lep's for that, that's more to do with the longevity of the music and, well, the age we (nearly) all find ourselves at these days...
However the real test is how a band handles it and in the case of Def Leppard the answer is superbly, with a full disc celebration of their mega-smash hit album Hysteria finding the whole thing played from start to finish. As expected for an outfit who still put in a serious amount of stage time and who have musicians as talented as Phil Collen, Vivien Campbell, Rick Savage and Rick Allen in their number, the class of performance is never in doubt and to their credit, neither is the energy or effort they give. "Rocket", "Women", "Animal", "Love Bites" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me" proving once again why they are long lasting fan favourites which have also managed to reach beyond Def Leppard's core fanbase. However for long term followers it is the less often celebrated "Don't Shoot Shotgun" or "Love And Affection" which gets the pulse racing. Encores of "Photograph" and "Rock Of Ages" from the breakthrough Pyromania release don't exactly hurt either.
Unlike my colleague Simon's review above, it is "only" the audio version of this release I've witnessed, so I can't pass comment on how the Steve Clarke tribute piece/solo looked, but it sounds a nice touch and even without the visuals, this set holds the attention from start to finish.
However (again!), that ain't all, with a second disc featuring the band "supporting themselves" and taking the opportunity across two completely different sets to delight in performing a whole host of tracks from the other excellent albums they've produced. Surprise inclusions come thick and fast, "Undefeated" from the band's most recent album Songs From The Sparkle Lounge, "Slang" from the album of the same name and "Promises" from Euphoria. Add to that early favourites "Wasted", "Rock Brigade" "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" and "Switch 652", and really is there much more you could ask for?
If I was looking to be harsh, then I could tell you that Joe Elliott struggles with the high stuff (sounding bizarrely like Brian Johnson of AC/DC on "Run Riot"), but to be fair, the rest of the time he gives as good a performance as he has in years.
If you're a Leppardite, there's simply no pretending that you don't need this. You do. If you're not a Leppard fan, then this set is a perfect example of what you're missing out on and have been for years.
The only last thing to say? Viva Hysteria! Viva Def Leppard!
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Def Leppard: Viva! Hysteria (CD/DVD)
Posted by Jordan Farquharson on 2013-11-07 21:23:01
My Score:
Did you just say that Joe Elliot doesn't have a great voice? Open your ears!!
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