There’s life in the old dogs yet

BY IAN JOHNSON

THEY don’t records like anymore. Really, they don’t. A four-year labour of love, it was designed to be so bombastic, so... mega...every song could be a single.

The concept of singles (and albums for that matter) are a bit old hat now.

Judging by their birth certificates, Def Leppard should be too.

But over 40 years into the band’s life, there’s still fewer greater feelings than swaying, half cut with a pint in each hand, to ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me.’

Singer Joe Elliot has the ability to whip the crowd into a state of (sorry about this) hysteria with just the slightest fist pump.

His voice still soars, but his swagger is what makes him a superstar.

What a frontman he is, commanding the crowd with the conviction of a lapdancer – with the crowd his transfixed punter.

Early banger Rocket stirs the crowd, followed up by the immense Animal. make Hysteria

It is at this point you realise that by playing Hysteria in full, they are not straying from the original running order.

Some people love this. It is a chance to hear their favourite album in full as it was meant to be.

It can, however, dull the excitement a tad. Part of the fun at a gig is not knowing what’s coming next.

But they liven this up by stamping a visual identity on each number, be it lasers or the ever changing backdrop.

And it is hardly a punishment to hear these tracks in the flesh.

Gods of War. Don’t Shoot Shotgun. Women.

These are awesome, awesome rock anthems, and to see them played so well live is a total treat.

Of course it is an unashamed nostalgia trip.

Half the crowd have squeezed into leather pants that haven’t had an airing