Def Leppard - Viva Hysteria

So. ... anyone else excitedly anticipating the release next week? I will be picking up the Blu-Ray/CD package exclusive from Best Buy.

Was gonna preorder it on Amazon.co.uk for the Blu Ray but strangely haven't got round to it. It's the Blu Ray I'm after the most, so I can always rip the audio if I need it.

That's what I would normally do and was set to do until I found out about the Best Buy Exclusive. I will probably still be ripping the audio for the acoustic set. Apparently it is only on the Japanese CD.

I haven't had this much of a personal Lep resurgence in years! It's been great to rediscover my love for the band. Mirror Ball finally got some heavy rotation these last several weeks.

Yes, me. By far the best thing that they've done since Euphoria. Absolutely killer setlist.

Is that set you're talking about the acoustic medley they played on tour last year and later released as a studio version digital download? Cause I think I read earlier that it's going to be on the DVD/Blu Ray as well.

I can see why you might be excited about a new Leppard release for the first time in a while, as it's their first new live DVD/Blu Ray in 20 years. They've been long overdue on that one. Plus it's one mean set list!

I am not sure on the source of the acoustic medley, though I do know it is on the DVD/Blu-Ray.

You are absolutely right.... it's the first live video since Live In the Round (the Don Valley clips were great, but just a sampler of the show.) That one drove me mad with the anticipation... it was quite delayed and then half an hour shorter than it had been declared to be both in press and on Historia in the notes preceding Armageddon It and PSSOM. I was also a bit disappointed in the video quality, somehow it just wasn't that colorful and vivid as the two aforementioned promo videos culled from the exact same footage were. Otherwise, I loved the hell out of it. I constantly recorded the audio over the years in whatever medium was best for the time...starting with cassettes.

They are really going all out with the Viva Hysteria set. I haven't seen any of it since I wasn't able to attend the theater showings due to work. I do expect it will more than make up for the ridiculous gap since Live In the Round.

Yea, I've never thought much of the video (and sound) quality of that show for that matter, and I've only ever seen the DVD. Never took away from how awesome the show is. The image is shoddy and the sound is quite muffled indeed, but it does kind of make you feel like you're actually "there" in the arena with them. I'm the same, I ripped the audio off the DVD and it's still a blast to just listen to. It's still on my iPhone and my flash drive for the car.

Granted, the wait for a new live DVD hasn't been quite as long and agonising for me (), but I've filled the void with a few bootlegs like Tokyo 1999 and the bonus DVD from Mirrorball. Plus I did see them live 4 times between 2006-2011.

I went for just the Blu Ray in the end. The BD/CD box set looks nicer but like I say, I can rip the audio if need be. Plus I find it harder to just sit and listen to CDs these days.

The DVD worsened the video quality. The VHS/Laser Disc was actually better. It seems like I remember reading how something happened to the film during processing that caused it to come out looking as it did. I'm so used to the audio...but I was happy when Don Valley came along. It really demonstrated the night/day difference in their live sound for the better. I was just watching that 2 weeks ago for the first time in I don't know how long. I had forgotten how good some stuff was like "Rocket."

The most recent video footage that impressed me was the Download headlining slot a few years ago. The magnitude of it both in attendance and the stage was reflective of where they should be overall. The last time I saw them was in a big top tent out in the desert at a reservation casino, not a flattering venue. That's Southern California for you. They didn't even bother with us on the Euphoria tour and I was quite looking forward to that one.

Oh yes, I definitely filled the void with stuff like Tokyo 1999. I finally got around to ripping the audio off my DVD of it just a few weeks ago for the first time. I suppose I'll get out the DVD from Mirror Ball this weekend. I pretty much forgot about it.

The one thing about the Viva Hysteria show I know is going to bug me..... Joe starts yapping during songs like Mirror Mirror, Let It Go, and Another Hit and Run... destroying the ambiance of the music. I'm hoping the clips capturing that on Amazon pretty much sum up the extent of how much he does that. I absolutely hate that. What happened to talking between songs?

I thought the entire show was recorded at the Vegas residency. Apparently not. At the intro to Gods of War, Joe introduces his very good friend, Steven Clarke.

Haven't watched the Blu-ray yet, but as for the CD, Mirror Ball sounds much better.

Footage of Steve's solo leading into Gods of War from Live In The Round was shown on the screen.... that's what you hear. Prior to that the original intro from the album was played over the PA, but that was cut.

I disagree... Viva Hysteria sounds better.