V/A - Gatophobia - A Tribute To Def Leppard

*=Staff's pick	Wasted*(John Corabi/Mötley Crüe, Union, Ratt) Rock Brigade (Joe Leste/Bang Tango) Photograph (Jani Lane/Warrant) Rock, Rock (Kevin DuBrow/Quiet Riot) Too Late For Love (Stevie Rachelle/Tuff) Foolin'*(Steve Whiteman/Kix) Rock Of Ages (Kelly Hansen/Hurricane) Bringin' On The Heartbreak*(Phil Lewis/L.A. Guns) Let It Go (Jason McMaster/Dangerous Toys) High & Dry (Jizzy Pearl/Ratt, Love Hate) You Got Me Running (Kory Clark/Warrior Soul) On Through The Night (Paul Shortino/Rough Cutt)

Genre	Hard Rock	Various (see tracklist)	Vocals
Tracks	12	Tracii Guns	Guitar
Runningtime	51 Min.	Eric Turner	Guitar
Label	Mausoleum Records	Jerry Dixon	Bass
Release	28 Oct. 2005	Randy Castillo	Drums
Country	USA	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	Def Leppard

Here we go again, yet another tribute album from Mausoleum. Guns 'n' Roses, Ted Nugent and Bon Jovi have already been done and now it is time for Def Leppard. What these albums have in common is that they were recorded several years ago and that many of the ones appearing on one album is also appearing on the other ones. So it doesn't feel like true and genuine tributes but more like a well-oiled money making machinery. Call me judgmental and cynic but that is the feeling I get. And it wouldn't surprise me if all of these tribute albums where recorded more or less simultaneously.

With a bunch of different vocalists the ground is laid out with a band consisting of Tracii Guns (Brides Of Destruction, L.A. Guns), Eric Turner and Jerry Dixon from Warrant and the late Randy Castillo (Ozzy, Mötley Crüe). So what can be said about this album? To me this feels like uninspired covers that don't make anyone happier. I have never been any major Def Leppard fan but the original versions kick ass compared with these featured here. Also the selection of songs comes out a pretty lame, sure there are some of the older rougher tracks of Def Leppard on the tribute but why leave out many of the biggest hits, the songs that people in general identifies with Def Leppard? Poor Some Sugar On Me, Lets Get Rocked and Rocket are perhaps not the best Leppard songs but unarguably some of their biggest hits so why leave these out when you are making a tribute?

Most of the songs on this album leave me completely untouched but there are a few positive glints. An old track like Wasted gets some good vocals from John Corabi and also Steve Whiteman's effort on Foolin' is good. Bringin' On The Heartbreak, even though it is a sappy song, gets away with an ok grade because of Phil Lewis. These are as I can see the only tracks where the vocalists are at least trying to sound somewhat convincing and not just singing the lines to be done with it.

If you are a die hard Def Leppard fan this could be an interesting collectible if you feel you are to have all the Def Leppard related releases. Or if you are heavy into the sleaze scene, since many of the leading figures appear here. Otherwise my advice is simply to stay away!

Production	Vocals	Compositions
6	4	4

Summary
3 chalices of 10 - Thomas