On December 5, 1995, Def Leppard released yet another video compilation and I believe this is their 4th to date. This one is called ‘Video Archive’ and highlights some live performances as well as some promo videos from ‘Retro Active’ and the greatest hits compilation ‘Vault’. The video was originally released on VHS, Laserdisc and VCD. In 2001, they released it on DVD along with the video compilation called Visualize which is the copy I actually own.

The first part of the DVD we have actually talked about before only a few weeks back. If you remember the bootleg DVD I have called ‘Live Sheffield 1992‘, you will remember that the DVD is actually from June 6, 1993 not 1992 and it is in fact, the show that is on this video as well. Okay, this video is only a piece of that show which is a only a piece of the full set list. And you will remember that I loved that bootleg DVD as the picture and sound were outstanding. This proves that it was as they took that and added 8 of those tracks here and it looks and sounds as good. Maybe it looks a tad bit better.

The show kicks off with a that same old question….”Do You Want to Get Rocked?” as they kick in to “Let’s Get Rocked” off the ‘Adrenalize’ album. A cheesy but fun song live. Then they go back to the ‘Pyromania’ era and pull out “Foolin’” which is one of their best songs, period. Nothing real flashy, but done to perfection. They move up an album and bring us “Rocket” (not “Rock It”). This one has a cool solo part with Vivian and Phil goofing off a little, but making it interesting with what sounds they pull out of their guitars. A hard song to make sound like the records so why try. A great solo between the two. Towards the end the go all Zeppelin with “A Whole Lot of Love” before back to “Rocket”.

We then get another treat where they pull out a track that hasn’t even been released yet as they do an acoustic version of “Two Steps Behind” (which I think most versions are acoustic). This was soon to be released on the ‘Retroactive’ and it was featured in the movie “The Last Action Hero” with Arnold. I believe this was the first show it was played live, heck even Joe pulled out an acoustic guitar. Things get rocking again with ”Armageddon It” which is not one of my favorite tracks by the band but the crowd seems to like it so what do I know. Things start to look up for me as we get to the band’s killer live tracks and first up is their most famous track, “Pour Some Sugar On Me” with Rick Allen banging out that famous beat and the crowd screaming “Hey”.

After everyone is ready, the guitars kick in and all is right with the world. Rick Allen then introduces the next one with the famous line “Gunter Glieben Glauten Globen” as the band keeps the pedal to the floor with “Rock of Ages”. That was it for the show…okay, not yet. Time for the encore and they brings the lights down low and slow things down with “Love Bites” another powerful ballad in their arsenal of songs. It is really a beautiful song and ranks up there with “Hysteria” as a favorite. Vivian lays down a perfect, extended solo that really was perfect for the song. And that is where that set ends. They cut about 6 songs from the Bootleg which cut about 6 songs from the full show.

Now it is time for some videos, first we get a visual performance only of the song “When Love & Hate Collide”. The video was a promotional video for the album ‘Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits 1980-1995’. The band is on an all white stage (both floor and background and cuts to an all black stage and goes back and forth depending on the whether chorus or verse. Very well done. Next up is the acoustic performance video with a string section for “Two Steps Behind”. It shows Joe walking down the street with people moving backwards and sometimes without anyone else. It also has the band in performance mode.

Also from ‘Retroactive’, we get the performance video for the song “Action”. A rocking song and a fast paced video with live performance shots and behind the scenes shots. It also has a cheesy shot with a goatee’d faced Joe Elliott transposed over the video shot. A fun video and song. A great cover too. Next up is the piano/acoustic version of “Miss You In A Heartbeat” which is Joe on a stark white piano in a living room with a black dragon. The other members are also in either a room in their home or someone else’s home or outside. Sav is even on a stand-up bass while Viv plays an electric guitar and Phil on an acoustic. Another great ballad from the band and one of my favorites. The final promo video is the another for “When Love & Hate Collide”. This one is an 8 minute epically long one. A short movie with the band’s performance on the all white and all black stages thrown in between whatever story they are telling about a drunk guy who drives a taxi and a girl who seems to be a struggling actress/dancer. Joe Pesci is one of the passengers in the cab which was a total surprise. Anyway, not the best video they’ve done, but I get they were trying to be artistic I guess.

The final set of songs is an acoustic show the band did at Wapentake Club, Sheffield (October 5, 1995). It opens with the band discussing the acoustic performance and what they did to prepare. They were introduced and kicked it off with “Two Steps Behind” which is a natural acoustic starter song. Just four guys sitting in line at the front of the stage and Rick behind them on the drums and percussion. A simple club setting and a very intimate one at that. They whip through “Armageddon It”, “When Love & Hate Collide”, “Animal” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me”. I was glad to see that it wasn’t all ballads, but some rockers as well to keep the mood from getting too laid back. They ended with a cover of Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” and they always do such an amazing job with that one. Then with the end credits we get a partial acoustic version of “All I Want is Everything” which hadn’t come out yet as it is on their next album ‘Slang’.

And there you have it. Another great DVD from the Def Leppard boys. They always know how to pack a lot in to this videos and always give you something you don’t have. No repeats…at least not yet. That would come. It is great to get an official release of some of those Sheffield show songs even if it isn’t all of it…maybe some day. The acoustic show at the Wapentake is one I hadn’t heard before so cool to have that one, now just need a CD or vinyl of that show…come on boys get on it. And cool to finally get the videos for the Vault and Retro Active. My Overall Score is a 4.0 out of 5.0 Stars as a full Sheffield show would’ve been better or at least the entire 1 hour show from the Japanese show that the concert was shown on. But that is being picky. Thanks for hanging around and see you next time with ‘Slang’.

NEXT UP: DEF LEPPARD – ‘SLANG’ (1996)

THE DEF LEPPARD COLLECTION SERIES

1. Def Leppard E.P. – 7″ Single (1979)
2. First Strikes 1978-1979 (Bootleg CD)
3. Girl – Sheer Greed (1980)
4. On Through the Night (1980)
5. When the Walls Came Tumbling Down (April 26 1980) (2020)
6. High & Dry (1981)
7. Too Many Jitterbugs – B-Sides And Rarities (2020)
8. Raw – Early BBC Recordings (2020)
9. Girl – Wasted Youth (1982)
10. Pyromania (1983)
11. “Photograph” 7″ Single (1983)
12. “Too Late For Love” 12″ Single (1983)
13. Live at the L.A. Forum 1983 (2018)
14. Seattle, August 3, 1983 (Bootleg CD)
15. Pyromania TV Collection (Bootleg DVD)
16. Hysteria (1987)
17. “Animal” 7″ Single (1987)
18. “Women” 7″ Single (1987)
19. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” 7″ Single (1987)
20. “Hysteria” 7″ Single (1987)
21. “Armageddon It” 7″ Single (1988)
22. “Love Bites” 7″ Single (1988)
23. “Rocket” 7″ Single (1989)
24. Animal Instinct – The Def Leppard Story – Book Review (1987)
25. Rarities – Volume One (2018)
26. Live in Mountain View – August 17, 1988 (Bootleg DVD)
27. Historia – DVD (1988)
28. Live: In the Round, In Your Face (CD Video / DVD) (1989)
29. Adrenalize (1992)
30. “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad” – Cassette Single (1992)
31. “Tonight” CD Single (1993)
32. Live Sheffield 1992 (Bootleg DVD)
33. Retro Active (1993)
34. Visualize DVD (1993)
35. Hard Rock Café – Singapore, Malaysia October 26, 1995 (Bootleg DVD)
36. Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980-1995) (1995)
37. “When Love & Hate Collide” – CD Promo Single (1995)
38. Video Archive (1995)
39. Slang (1996)
40. Montreal: The Classic 1996 Broadcast (Bootleg CD)
41. Live Bites: FM Broadcast (Bootleg CD)
42. Live in Argentina 1997 (Bootleg DVD)
43. Euphoria (1999)
44. Rarities – Volume Two (2019)
45. Rarities – Volume Three (2019)
46. Tokyo 1999 (Bootleg CD)
47. Cybernauts – Live (2000)
48. X (2002)
49. Hysteria: Classic Albums DVD (2002)
50. Best of Def Leppard (2004)
51. Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection (2005)
52. Yeah! (2006)
53. Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008)
54. Man Raze – Surreal (2008)
55. B-Sides (2021)
56. Yeah! II (2021)
57. Yeah! Live (2021)
58. CMT Crossraods – Taylor Swift & Def Leppard (2009)
59. Down ‘N’ Outz -My ReGeneration (2010)
60. Man Raze – PunkFunkRootsRock (2011)
61. Down ‘N’ Outz -The Further Adventures of… (2014)
62. Def Leppard (2015)
63. The Lost Session (2018)
64. Personal Jesus 7″ Single (2018)
65. Down ‘N’ Outz -This is How We Roll (2019)
66. Hits Vegas: Live at Planet Hollywood – Vinyl (2020)
67. Hysteria: Live – Vinyl (2020)
68. Def Leppard Acoustic Vegas – 10″ Vinyl (2020)
69. Down ‘N’ Outz – The Music Box E.P. (2020)
70. Diamond Star Halos (2022)
71. High & Dry – Picture Disc (RSD) (2022)
72. Drastic Symphonies (2023)
73. Drastic Symphonies – Picture Disc (2023)
74. Definitely: The Official Story of Def Leppard (2023)

PREVIOUSLY POSTED:

1. The Def Leppard E.P. (1979/2017)
2. Def Leppard: Interview Picture Disc (1982?)
3. “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” – 12″ Promo Single (1984)
4. Live at the Top (Bootleg) (1987)
5. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” –  5″ Shaped Picture Disc (1987)
6. Hysteria U.S. Tour 1988 – Tour Book (1988)
7. “Make Love Like a Man” – 12″ Single (1992)
8. “Let’s Get Rocked” – 12″ Single (1992)
9. Adrenalize: The 7 Day Weekend Tour (1992/1993)
10. X: World Tour (2003)
11. Mirrorball – Live & More (2011)
12. Def Leppard: The Definitive Visual History – Book Review (2011)
13. Viva! Hysteria (2013)
14. And There Will Be A Next Time…Live from Detroit (2017)
15. Hysteria: 30th Anniversary Box Set (2017)
16. The Story So Far – The Best of (2018)
17. The Collection, Volume 1 (2018)
18. Hysteria: The Singles Box Set (2018)
19. Live at Abbey Road Studios (2018)
20. Def Leppard: Concert Review – Charlotte, NC June 9th 2018 (2018)
21. The Story So Far – The Best of Volume 2 (2019)
22. The Collection, Volume 2 (2019)
23. London to Vegas (2020)
24. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 29 March 2019 (2020)
25. The Early Years ’79-’81 (2020)
26. The Collection, Volume 3 (2021)
27. Def Leppard Funko Pop!