Live Review: Def Leppard, Scorpions

The Def Leppard express rolled into town for the first time in six years and this time it was to mark the 30th anniversary of their hit-laden Hysteria album. This is an album that had seven singles released from it and could’ve easily had a couple more as it stayed in the charts for over two years. It’s an album that almost was never made as drummer Rick Allen tragically lost his left arm in a tragic accident in 1984 and Mutt Lange, their long-time producer, pulled out early on due to exhaustion. These delayed the making of the album by a couple of years with the band thinking about pulling the plug. Lucky for them Allen miraculously was able to continue on a custom made drum kit and Lange eventually returned as producer and they made one of the most iconic album of the '80s – an album that today has sold 25 million copies.

But first up was German band Scorpions who have been around longer than the Def Leppard lads. Forming in 1965, they finally make their first trip to Australia. They are not a band with many hits or sales here, except for the rock ballad Wind Of Change from 1990, which is still slaughtered on FM classic rock radio stations today. The band features five members, three from the original line-up, but it's hard to believe these guys are pushing 70 as they have the stamina and playing power of a band half their age. Singer Klaus Meine has an amazing vocal range for someone who has been thrashing his voice for 50 years – he could still hit the high notes with ease.

Taking on drum duties these days for the band is Mikkey Dee, formerly of Motorhead. Goddamn can he hit the drums hard! The crowd was treated to a five-minute drum solo that even John Bonham would have been in awe of. His clean and powerful hitting should be watched and imitated by any aspiring drummer.

But it was time for what everyone is here for; Def Leppard hit the stage to play Hysteria in full – front to back. After a 30-minute countdown including an ad to sell the band's beer – yep, Def Leppard Pale Ale! – the lights dropped and the opening riff of Women tore through the ears of this full house. Noticeably guitarist, Phil Collen, who might be 60 years old, was ripped – he played shirtless for the entire show and shredded licks like it was 1987 all over again.

Barely time for the crowd to applause, they then tore straight into Rocket, one of the band's most iconic songs and one which still holds up today. Singer Joe Elliott ran around the stage and ego ramp energetically but couldn't quite hit the high notes like 1987. Luckily he had his four mates to help him out.

They rip through the first half of the album with ease – the first six all of which were released as singles. The biggest roar was for Pour Some Sugar On Me – of course. The Adelaide choir help the band with the chorus, with Elliott smiling and thanking them after the song finished. Elliott must have sung this song 1000 times, but boy did he sing it like it was the first time.

A touching moment was before Gods Of War, with the band paying tribute to Steve Clark who passed away in 1991. They played footage on the big screen of Clark “introducing” the track from the In The Round In Your Face tour from 1988, before the band kicked into the song. This is a band that has had only one line-up change in their 40 year history.
 
The title track Hysteria was the highlight of the night. Something special happened that’s hard to describe unless you were there and the band and crowd knew it. To make it extra special, the band threw in a few lines from David Bowie’s Heroes for good measure. The band finished off the main set and album with the seldom played Excitable and Love & Affection. One hour in and the crowd was pumped!

A short pit stop and it was straight into the encore with Action from 1993. Quickly followed by the rock ballad When Love & Hate Collide, which once again, the Adelaide choir happily chimed in to help with the chorus, raising the roof. Three more big hits followed - Let’s Get Rocked, Rock Of Ages and fan favourite Photograph - to finish off this amazing show.  Not many albums have the staying power of Hysteria, and this scribe is already looking forward to the 40th anniversary tour!