Def Leppard's "London to Vegas" A Momentous Journey

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Def Leppard's first album and there's no better way to celebrate than checking out "London to Vegas," the band's hit and rarity-packed 2DVD-Blu-ray/4CD package.

The collection, out May 29, spotlight all of the facets that make Def Leppard one of the greatest hard rock bands in history, including their masterpiece album, "Hysteria," played in its entirety, and hours of hits and back wall classics that run the gamut from majestic ballads to heavy hitters and everything in- between.

It's a pure masterpiece in songwriting and live performance, from melodic rock mega-hits like "Photograph," "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rock of Ages," to the pure fun of "Let's Get Rocked," to latter-day anthems "Now" and "Let's Go" that indicate Def Leppard show no signs of letting up four decades into their career.

Singer Joe Elliott is in fine form, solidifying his stature among rock's best frontmen. Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell make good use of an arsenal of riffs and fiery solos, and bassist Rick Savage and drummer Rick Allen add the thunder to the guitarists' lightning.

The package focuses on two high-energy, historic sets: the band's home coming, first-ever show at London's famed O2 arena in late 2018 and their historic residency the next year at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

The London show features the performance of 1987's "Hysteria" from start to finish. The concert is a celebration of an album that represents Def Leppard's finest moment as well as triumph over adversity. "Hysteria" was the band's first album after Allen lost his left arm in an automobile accident. It's also a perfect record that explodes with melody and the band's patented three and four-part harmonies.

There are of course the multiple favorites, "Pour Some Sugar On Me," "Rocket," "Love Bites" and Animal" to name just a few. There's also a touching tribute via video screen footage to the band's late guitarist, Steve Clark. A great treat is watching Def Leppard perform the "Hysteria" non-single album tracks that don't often make it into the group's set.

The quintet breathes new life into "Gods of War," "Excitable," "Don't Shoot Shotgun," "Love and Affection" and "Run Riot." Following the "Hysteria" set the band starts its encore with the nasty riff of "Wasted," the band's most metalized number, followed by a shift swift in gears to the ballad, "When Love and Hate Collide."

Then it's onto Las Vegas and a rarity-stocked set that's especially rewarding for the long-time faithful, who will rejoice in watching seldom-aired numbers like "Die Hard the Hunter," "Mirror, Mirror," "Billy's Got a Gun" and "Paper Sun." The band also brings back fan-favorite "Two Steps Behind" for the first time in more than 20 years. Other highlights include groove-laden heavy hitter "Let It Go,” early power ballad "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" and the emotional "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad."

At the show's conclusion Elliott tells the audience that the band will see them next time and reiterates, "And there will be a next time." We're glad for that. This band is a treasure and "London to Vegas" is an overflowing treasure chest.