from parasitestudios
Let me preface this by saying that a few things are going to skew this a bit.
1. I had great seats. Probably the best I ever had for a KISS show. About 7th row. Tommy's side...but that's ok. I'm not a hater.
2. It was my 9 year old daughters first KISS show. Seeing the show through her eyes helped me remember the magic that is KISS.
I'm sort of a REVENGE era nut...and this show finally made me realize why they will never take the make up off again. And you know what? I agree. The make up is KISS. In the very base corporate sense. It would be like having the actors walk around Disney world without the Mickey Mouse head on. What's the point? KISS are not selling music...they are selling a SHOW. Almost like a play or well...Vegas. And seeing my kid react was awesome. Point is, she would never react that way to Revenge era, non make up grown men playing Take It Off or what not. That KISS in a sense, is over. This is retirement plan KISS, and that's ok with me.
Ok...first...that guys were TIGHT. NO bullshit, this is the BEST I have heard them sound since the Revenge Era. Different style, but they were ON FIRE musically last night. Holy shit it was hot. Tommy and Eric are NEEDED in this band, and this is why. It was almost FLAWLESS. Sound was great. Vocally? It was the usual. Gene was a bit froggy, Paul was a bit raspy. But they aren't 23 anymore. Not enough to distract me.
Setlist was what I went in expecting. Watchin You was a plus as was Hotter than Hell. Firehouse was missing, but that was fine.
Ending the show on Detroit was a bit anti-climactic. But not a biggie either.
Paul said and I quote..."We have a new album coming out in SEPTEMBER. As good as ANYTHING we have EVER done."
I'm holding you to that sir.
Anyway, awesome night. As fans I know you guys are aware of what a release a KISS show can be. I haven't seen them since ROCK THE NATION...and I missed them.
I will sum up the night by quoting my daughter, during Shout It Out Loud I believe. She was staring at the stage, sort of mystified. She tugged on my arm and asked me.... "Are they real?"
And that was all I needed to hear.
