From: mattinad@buffnet.net

Having been a fan of KISS since seeing them in 1978 it was a great trip back memory lane AND a blast of new energy from the best live band in the world.

We got to the Marine Midland Arena(aka The Marina) in Buffalo, New York after purchasing some really well made bootleg shirts in the bar down the street for a mere $10 each(first score). We head to our seats which were about center ice 4 rows up, great seats but simply not good enough for me.

Econoline Crush puts on a spirited but thankfully short set and were stalking out how were going to score the floor when the lights go down. My two friends and I decide to simply walk past the usher and scoot up front hoping not to get pinched(second score). Having moved into the front row with minimal hassle we plant ourselves directly in front of Paul's setup(third score). Hampered only by the occasional movement of the boom of the 3-D camera in front of us, we had perfect line of site for the entire show.

The show opens with the requisite roar of thunder from the crowd, answered by a louder roar from the band. Paul is a GREAT form, strutting around like a 16 year old with his new driver's license. His voice is really great and his guitar crystal clear. Gene looks awesome and is totally on cue with thundering bass lines that blast through the bowels your soul. Peter is keeping the beat straight and strong and adds some fine drum fills throughout the show. The only minor disappointment is ACE who looked like he'd fall over at any given time during the show. He looked like complete shit but kept up and delivered where it counted: the music.

We stayed in the front row throughout the first 4-5 songs when an usher came in and started clearing people out, Paul was shaking his head to him in disbelief giving him the "what the f*** are you doing" look. He passed us by because we had two scantily clad blondes who hammered their way up front next to us(fourth AND fifth scores). I got picks from Ace and Paul(sixth score) and the girls next to us pulled their tops off for Gene when he came by(seventh score).

The pyrotechnics were awesome and the 3-D was equally impressive, the fireworks, dry ice, flames, sparklers, etc...were all of legendary KISS proportions. Paul flying over the crowd and jamming from the sound board was very cool as was Gene flying up to the rafters to drip blood on the crowd. Peter soloing with his entire drum kit hovering our over the crowd(right over our heads) was awesome too. Ace's guitar antics were cool and kind of interesting from the point of wondering how he continued to play without burning himself severely.

The highlight of the show was the girl stage left on the side about 3 rows ud dressed in a mini mini mini shirt, tube top, and Paul makeup who keep proving to Paul every time he went over to that side that she wasn't wearing any underwear. Nice.(eighth and final score)

All in all a show worthy of the KISS legend.

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