From: wroed@williscorroon.com

To a handful of Kiss fans that were in the arena early enough, Buckcherry began their battle against a muddy sound that echoed around the cavernous venue. Initial signs were not good but as the sound improved the band started to warm up.

After a couple of rocking tunes, the lead singer dispensed with his shirt to reveal a worryingly wiry tattooed frame and cavorted around the stage, beginning to win over the crowd at the front. We were told this was their last night with Kiss and during the last song the road crew invaded the stage sweeping up and removing most of the drum kit.

Overall a good performance from a band that would love to be the new Guns ?n? Roses. But with the resurgence of this type of music, with the likes of Backyard Babies, isn?t it ironic that Axl is reportedly releasing the next Guns album this year having sat out ?the grunge years?.

Despite being told that the screen would tell us when to put on our glasses, the curtain dropped to reveal Kiss who were confronted with half an audience wearing glasses and bemused looks, ?they?re not working!?. Psycho Circus itself makes for a good opener and sits well with the old material. Typically overblown, Gene?s tongue seemingly constantly on display and Paul putting on some kind of guitar karma-sutra, this was just a warm up for the 3D experience.

With a warning from the screen glasses were put on, apart from the half already wearing theirs, we were soon to realise they did work. Do You Love Me Kicked in with Paul seemingly floating above the heads of the people just in front of you. This was segmented arrows and hearts flying straight at you, incredible in a word.

Things were rocking along nicely, Into The Void was fantastic and aided by the 3D effects Ace guitar solo, complete with ?This is for Stanley Kubric? 2001 segment, was cooking.

Unfortunately things were becoming a little familiar too. Paul did the same stage wrap as at Finsbury Park about England being their second home and The God of Thunder effects now lack the surprise element.

As much as I like it on Psycho Circus, Within does not work live and quickly following it with Peter?s drum solo completely took the wind out of the set. Kiss rocked on and managed to bring things back but not the extent of the first third of the set.

We were promised the greatest show on earth and to some extent we got it but if Kiss are to continue to please, what is predominantly the same crowd every visit, I think its time to think of some other new ideas.

KISS ASYLUM -- KISS Museum News Archive Features Tour Dates Photos