From: thunder@cloud9.net

Let me start by saying that the guys in KISS were absolutely right about the Laser pointers! From the beginning of the show people were hitting the 3-D screens and the guys faces and their guitars. It culminated during Beth, when Peter was trying to sing and look into the audience - he got blasted by at least 2 different laser pointers. Like a champ he finished the song without a hitch, but then after the song was done, he told the people using them to "shove the Laser Pointers up your ass!", then Paul said he would challenge anyone using one to a fight! They were even pointing them at people in the audience. It ruins the show for everyone - and it's not fair to the rest of us. If you see someone using one - Don't kick their ass! Just let one of the security people know and let them take care of it. You're not being a rat by doing this - you're making sure everyone else can enjoy the show. The Laser pointer episode even made the news - "Imus" in the Morining and The Daily News!

. As for the show - AWESOME!! These guys really know how to put the visuals and the music together. The stage was very cool - very wide open and much lower than the old stage. Although I thought it looked a lot like the Dynasty stage - you can tell Paul was all over the design. The set list was the same as the one that has been posted already. Although on a peronal note I wish they would have played She, Nothin' To Lose or Watchin' You. Also on a personal note - they should drop Within from the set list - the song doesn't work well live. Over all, a very different look and feel to the show, but it was basically the Reunion Tour show, with some nice new touches. I don't want to give too much away! The 3-D effect was MUCH better than I had expected. The band was very tight, much more so than the Reunion Tour, but there were still a few little miscues here and there. I also would not be surprised if there were a singer or two behind the curtain helping out with backing vocals. Pete! r was playing much harder and his Drum kit effect was great, but it would have been even better if they had all (Gene, Paul & Ace) been on hydraulic lifts - like they used to do in Black Diamond. The guys were genuinely enjoying themselves - Gene kept licking on Ace during his solos, and one time as Gene was stomping away, Ace almost kicked him in the ass. The guys were kicking higher than ever too! But one time as Gene was coming up one of the staircases on the side - he missed his step a little and almost fell - but kept his cool and didn't fall! The only drawback was the crowd - I guess because it was Sunday, or maybe everyone had been drinking all day at the Giants game but the crowd was a little subdued.

The biggest difference (I think) were the instruments. Gone are the Marshall Stacks, now Ace & Paul are using Randall Amps. Gene was using his Punisher Bass for most of the show and only used The Axe during God of Thunder (blood) and maybe 2 or 3 others. I also thought he was not using Ampeg amps anymore - but he still is. Ace's lighted guitar (Aria Pro II??)during Rock-n-Roll All Night was very different from the Les Paul Jr's he was using, and the spark effect was awesome. Paul was playing his new Washburns all night, but during RARAN he smashed an Iceman.

One last thing - I've never seen so much confetti!! At one point is looked like it was snowing inside the arena!!! Very awesome effect! Although I got a little nervous with all the explosions and the confetti going on at the same time.

Going to MSG tonight - so I'll let you know if there anything else to report!

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