Def Leppard’s new live album—captured in 2023 at Bramall Lane in their hometown of Sheffield—opens with the surging ‘Take What You Want,' a smart and invigorating start to a hometown show. The track, lifted from the ‘Diamond Star Halos' album marked a return to form on what many consider the band’s best album since ‘X' more than two decades earlier. Its intro nods cheekily to the 1983 opener ‘Rock Rock Til You Drop' before pivoting into its own modern identity. Most importantly, the lower vocal register suits Joe Elliott’s 2023 voice far better than the formerly standard opener ‘Stagefright,' and the recording captures both his restraint and confidence. It’s an opening that communicates pride, nostalgia and a band leaning into what they do best.
‘Let’s Get Rocked,' the crowd-pleasing staple from ‘Adrenalize,' follows with all its expected swagger. Elliott delivers the obligatory “I’ve got a question for ya…” line, prompting a roar that sets the tone for the show’s early stretch. While not a track many longtime fans consider essential anymore, this recording proves its continued usefulness as an early-set sing-along. Rick Allen’s thunderous drumming and the band’s massive backing vocals lend weight to a song that might otherwise feel a tad worn out. It’s cheeky, fun and undeniably effective, however, in warming up a stadium of rock fans.
Momentum kicks up sharply with ‘Animal,' still one of the most beloved songs in the band’s catalogue. Nearly forty years after its role in the band’s 1986 resurgence, the ‘Hysteria' classic remains a masterclass in polished arena rock. The live album showcases Elliott’s voice holding up admirably, supported by polished harmonies that aim to recreate Mutt Lange’s famously layered production. The crowd energy jumps noticeably here, and the crispness of the recording conveys just how electrifying this early-show trifecta is.
‘Foolin’ arrives next, introduced by Elliott’s Yorkshire-lilting greeting to the crowd. The song’s atmospheric build and dramatic guitar stabs sound as fresh in 2023 as they did in 1983. The “Is anybody out there?” moment remains a highlight, and one can practically visualise Rick Savage shielding his eyes to peer into the crowd. The band’s performance is tight, passionate and reverent, displaying exactly why this track continues to resonate equally with diehards and casual fans alike.
The band then barrels into ‘Armageddon It,' a pillar of the Def Leppard live experience for nearly four decades. Phil Collen and Viv Campbell shine with crisp, energetic guitar interplay, and Elliott’s slightly rougher, live-textured vocal approach suits the performance. This is classic 80s arena rock done right—big, melodic and fun. Even the slightly ragged vocal moments left in the mix give the track an authenticity that enhances rather than detracts. The band’s commitment to recreating Lange’s multi-tracked wall of sound is admirable, and the song stands as one of the album’s early highlights.
Newer track ‘Kick' provides a second shift into the ‘Diamond Star Halos' era. Played in a lower key to accommodate Elliott’s matured voice, the song lands as a pleasant if somewhat disposable part of the set. Its funky guitars and steady beat translate well live, but the chorus remains too simplistic and repetitive to stand among the band’s more enduring material. The performance is solid, and the recording serves as a time capsule of the 2023 era—but this track feels destined to rotate out of the setlist in future tours.
The pace dips into full nostalgia mode with ‘Love Bites,' the band’s most cherished ballad and a shining example of 80s power-ballad bombast. The live rendition is lush, dramatic and extended to six minutes, giving ample space for Collen and Campbell to unleash emotional flourishes. Elliott stretches for some of the higher notes, but this vulnerability adds charm. The performance feels both like a heartfelt time machine and a reminder of why this song became such a cultural touchpoint. It’s a slow-burn highlight that balances nostalgia with impressive musicianship.
‘Promises,' a long-overlooked gem from ‘Euphoria,' brings welcome energy back to the set. Opening with one of Phil Collen’s finest riffs, the track builds beautifully to a soaring chorus largely carried by the band, allowing Elliott to conserve strength without sacrificing impact. It’s a perfect example of how Def Leppard can adapt older material to suit their present strengths. The recording feels vibrant, and the performance is strong enough that the song absolutely deserves to remain in future tours.
The mid-set, however, becomes bogged down by an overabundance of ballads. ‘This Guitar,' introduced with heartfelt commentary about the band’s origins and a touching dedication to the family of late guitarist Steve Clark, is meaningful but not essential. The reworked arrangement—removing Alison Krauss’s country flavours—works well enough, and the harmonies are lovely, but the track still feels like a one-tour curiosity rather than a future live staple. Following it with ‘When Love and Hate Collide,' though a band classic, slows the show’s pacing further. While the crowd-sung chorus and the fiery guitar solo shine, the sequencing creates a noticeable lull before the set regains momentum again with ‘Rocket.' Even then, the pace sputters after with ‘Bringing on the Heartbreak' and ‘Switch 625,' both performed well but overly familiar after four decades of near-constant live rotation. The latter is an important chance for Joe Elliot to grab a five minute break backstage but at this point in their careers wouldn't it be more interesting for both the guys in the band and the fans alike to play something new, like a song from Collen's solo career, pre-Leppard band Girl, or even Campbell's stint in much-loved melodic rock outfit The Riverdogs?
Thankfully, the show roars back to life with ‘Hysteria,' an extended and crowd-thrilling rendition featuring one of the most iconic guitar motifs of the 80s. The live recording captures the track’s emotional sweep, its layered vocals, and Elliott’s effective performance—bolstered by audience participation and a soaring, elongated solo. From there, the final knockout punch is predictable but undeniably effective: ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me,' ‘Rock of Ages' and ‘Photograph.' While ‘…Sugar' may be overplayed to the point of fatigue, its massive riffs and Allen’s booming drums still energise the crowd. ‘Rock of Ages' remains a fist-pumping anthem, and ‘Photograph' closes the evening with an emotional hometown triumph as Elliott acknowledges 47 years of fan support.
In the end, Def Leppard’s 2023 hometown live album stands as a powerful document of a band still delivering stadium-level thrills more than four decades into their career. The recording balances nostalgia and modern reality, showcasing both the band’s strengths and the natural limitations of time. While the setlist is predictable and suffers from a ballad-heavy middle stretch, standout performances of ‘Take What You Want,' ‘Armageddon It,' ‘Animal,' ‘Promises' and ‘Hysteria' underscore why Def Leppard remain enduring titans of arena rock. For fans old and new, this album captures the spirit, sound and heart of Sheffield’s favourite sons—and leaves hope that the 2026 tour might bring deeper cuts like ‘Die Hard the Hunter,' ‘Billy’s Got a Gun,' ‘Tear It Down,' ‘White Lightning' or ‘Now' back into rotation.
Tracklist: 1. Take What You Want 2. Let's Get Rocked 3. Animal 4. Foolin’ 5. Armageddon It 6. Kick 7. Love Bites 8. Promises 9. This Guitar 10. When Love And Hate Collide 11. Rocket 12. Bringin’On The Heartbreak 13. Switch 625 14. Hysteria 15. Pour Some Sugar On Me 16. Rock Of Ages 17. Photograph Release Date: November 21st Record Label: Mercury Studios Buy ‘Diamond Star Heroes Live From Sheffield' right here
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