Def Leppard

ROCK `n' roll ain't dead - it's just suffering from a bad dose of metal fatigue. The Def Leppard machine rolled into Dublin's Point Theatre last night, but somehow it didn't quite manage to crush anyone under its weight. Indeed, the sound of tearing flesh and splintering bone was replaced by an ominous creaking noise, the sound of a band trying hard to crank up some enthusiasm for its spluttering, somewhat dated pyrotechnic rock.

Let's put things into perspective: back in the Eighties, Def Leppard were the biggest brashest metal blokes on the block, and though they might have written some lightweight tunes, they had the audacity to dress them up in super hero costumes, deliver them with flamboyance and decorate them with a spectacular stage show.

Albums like Pyromania and Hysteria sold in their megamillions, and Def Leppard in the round were a carnival of shimmering pop metal, a killer carousel with a one armed drummer at its apex, and the rest of the band leading the crowd on a metallic merry go round.

Lately, though, the band from Sheffield are sounding a bit blunted, and though their current album, Slang, eschews - the Lep's usual multi layered sheet metal production, it doesn't quite manage to show them in a more natural light.

There were a few moments when the old Leppard roar raised its head, especially during Animal, Rock it and Armageddon It; ballads like When Love And Hate Collide still had a solid sheen, but songs like Photograph were a bit faded by the long years of exposure, and the new single, Breathe A Sigh, flitted away like a dull wheeze.

The relatively bad turnout at this "second homecoming" gig - didn't help matters; but, like the troupers they are, Def Leppard rallied with crackling versions of Pour Some Sugar On Me and Let's Get Rocked. Maybe we will get rocked next time.