For a band of Def Leppard's calibre and vintage (they've now sold over 65 million albums worldwide), it's surprising that they've waited this long to bring out their first live album. The good news for Lep fans is that it's well worth the wait as this is a bumper package of 2 CD's of the full spectacular Def Leppard live arena experience, with five bonus tracks and a 50 minute DVD of live performances and intimate backstage footage (which sadly I didn't get a copy of for this review). But I'm sure you will agree that is value for money for a start.

Although 'Mirror Ball' was recorded at various gigs across the world on their last tour, it's been edited very well to give the impression of one continuous show. Even if, like me, you're not the biggest Def Leppard fan in the world, you can't fail to recognise how prolific this band's outputs have been as you work your way through a track listing featuring hit after hit that even the most modest of rock fans will be well familiar with. Opener 'Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)' kicks some serious ass and all the hits follow - 'Rocket', 'Animal', 'Love Bites', 'Hysteria', 'Photograph', 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', 'Rock Of Ages' - the list goes on. A couple of choice cuts from 'Pyromania' in the shape of 'Too Late For Love' and 'Foolin'' sound pretty fine and their cranked up version of David Essex's 'Rock On' even hits the spot too.

Only a largely acoustic 'Bringin' On the Heartbreak', complete with audience sing along, and 'Switch 625' survive from the first couple of albums, which is a shame as it would be nice to hear tracks like 'Let It Go' or 'Rock Brigade' from those early days. Similarly, there's not too much in the way of recent material, with only 'C'mon C'mon' & 'Nine Lives' featuring from the band's then-current 'Songs From The Sparkle Lounge' album (their most successful in the US since 92's 'Adrenalize'), and it's that 80's/90's period of huge commercial success that the bulk of 'Mirror Ball' is drawn from, and perhaps this a self realisation that they may have made a few wrong turns since then, who knows?

'Bad Actress' and 'Action' (which is still not a touch on the Sweet original), end the live section of 'Mirror Ball' both seemingly recordings from what sounds like a more intimate club show, and probably because of this, they pack a little bit more in the way of punch and raw energy than the main bulk of the album. However it is the bonus tracks that follow these tunes that will be of particular interest to Lep fans worldwide as these take the form of three new studio tracks, of which 'Undefeated' is the pick of the bunch, a thumping anthem that sounds as good as anything they've come up with since that golden era. 'It's All About Believing', however, is a pretty dull pop/rock effort with a hint of U2 in the guitar department. 'Kings Of the World' meanwhile is the most curious of the three. On first listen, it got me looking through the track listing of the first few Queen albums to see if there was a nugget I'd missed. It's an original composition though that is shamelessly in the style of 'Night At The Opera'-era Queen, with the multi-tracked vocals and Brian May-signature guitar. We know how much Joe Elliot likes to indulge in his influences, and as a bonus track on a double live album, it's fun and certainly a worthwhile addition.

'Mirror Ball' then is an essential purchase for all Def Leppard fans, and well worth a punt even for their more casual admirers. It's also a clear indication that the Friday night of this year's Download will not be disappointing.

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