From: hyde24@concentric.net

I first saw KISS live-the REAL KISS, that is-on the Reunion Tour (six times!). Up until that point all I knew of them was legend and the dozens of bootleg videos I have worn out watching so much!!! Needless to say, the Reunion Tour blew me away. I was six years old again...I almost felt like the people James Earl Jones describes coming to the baseball field in FIELD OF DREAMS "They'll hand over their money without any question...it'll be like they're children again...here to cheer on their heroes..." And that's exactly what I did!!!

I was of course psyched (no pun intended) when the new album came out. (I was really disgusted with some of my fellow KISS fans who did nothing but analyze from their toilet seats who was and who wasn't playing on which tracks. Please!!! They worked their asses off (especially Peter) to deliver on this album, and I love how people can not accept that. It's sad really.) I kept my expectation level low and ended up really liking the album. It's hard to match the brilliance of DESTROYER, but PSYCHO CIRCUS really grows on you and I think it is a pretty awesome album.

I went to the tour convinced I was going to hate it. I read some negative postings and such. And I didn't think anything could or would come close to my experience on the Reunion Tour. I decided to ignore the idiotic postings of people who call themselves KISS fans and then do nothing but badmouth them every chance they get, and go see the show. For better or for worse, this IS KISS afterall, is it not? Some KISS is better than no KISS.

The first night at the Continental...whatever the hell they call the Meadowlands now, rocked!!! I don't want to just repeat what other people have written about the show, but my impressions were this: KISS was tight-REALLY tight!!! This is the best they've sounded. Their playing is rock solid-ALL of them. Their chemistry is unbelievable. Much more obvious than during the Reunion. And musically, they play off of one another much better as well.

I thought the light show and pyro was fine. I liked the modern set...if it wasn't for that I think we'd all feel like we were back in the '70s looking at KISS in their Destroyer costumes!!! And I mean, Christ let's not forget we're there to HEAR them play. You could sit on a bare ass stage with candlelight and no make up and I'd be so damned happy. Regardless, they rocked.

The guys were all in great shape. Paul kept the show alive with his energy and dead on vocals. Ace is Ace. What can you say? The guy rules. His solo was really good. Gene enjoys his moments in the spotlight and plays up every chance he gets. God Of Thunder is a highlight. And Peter is back with a vengeance. He looks great and pumped up well. And as for that posting about someone rubbing his arms backstage....yeah and????!!! The guy played GREAT. His energy was up and his drumming was the best it has ever been. Let's not forget he is in his 50s!!!! I hope to guy I can play that well when I am his age. I don't feel like he missed beats or rolls anywhere. The band was doing A LOT of musical improving on many songs. They all interact well and are truly a GROUP again.

My ONLY negative comment would be this.....Guys, you have so much material to choose from. Why don't you do I Stole Your Love? Shandi? Christine Sixteen? I could live without Firehouse or Let Me Go Rock And Roll. Hell, I could live without Shock Me. Do 2000 Man or Rocket Ride! I loved I Was Made For Loving You, but would have liked Sure Know Something as well. May be Hard Luck Woman for variety. Within is a BAD choice. It just doesn't work in concert. Gene mumbles, the band just trudges along, despite the nice work they did on adding some life into the end part. There are other songs off of Psycho Circus that would have been better. Regardless, the set rocks, despite a few low points. Paul keeps those moments moving as best he can. Peter, rightfully so, got pissed after BETH. It was rude, childish behavior on the part of some crowd members. All in all, the Jersey crowd left A LOT to be desired. I felt like I was at an old age home at one point. MOST INTERESTING AUDIENCE MEMBER(s): two GUYS dressed as GIRLS (in drag) dressed as KISS. See if you can follow that one!!!! The 3D is cool. But just all 3D events, it does get old really fast. Although this time out, it gets old because the whole show isn't in 3D and some of it is prerecorded. And yes, if any of you reading this are one of the idiots that brought the laser pens with you...DO shove them up your ass and grow up. Stay home next time...or go see Bon Jovi instead. That's probably more your speed anyhow.

As for the Garden...what can I say??? AMAZING!!! I felt like it was a better show. The CROWD was ALIVE!!! I felt like the Jersey crowd fell asleep halfway through the show. Not so here in NYC. The crowd rocked and kept their lazer pens off of our boys' faces during the show! The crowd was on its feet for the whole show and was just as into it as I was. I had hoped that perhaps the guys would throw in a different song or two for us. They didn't, but the show still kicked major ass. Again the guys sounded tight and alive. Their energy was up, quite possibly feeding of off the lively crowd. Paul just amazes me how much energy and life he has! He never stops moving! Ace is just so much fun to watch. He's so cool and laid back. Gene is Gene. Gene is The Demon. I love watching him during God Of Thunder. And Peter was still dead on. Solid drumming, great solo, and great vocals on Black Diamond and Beth.

I felt like there was more confetti here and more pyro, but in the end who cares? Musically, the guys are in great, great shape and well worth seeing and hearing. If you are having any second thoughts, FORGET ABOUT IT!!! THIS IS KISS AT THEIR BEST. The guys are relaxed and having fun...and it shows. I liked ending the show with Black Diamond. I don't agree with someone else's posting that Rock and Roll All Night is the show ender and should never be touched. Need I remind you that on more than one tour THIS is how they ended their shows??? And it works. Black Diamond is a KILLER song and the guys are playing it BETTER than ever. PSYCHO CIRCUS sounds better live than it did on that awful FOX TV SPECIAL. (Come on, didn't that special blow??) I was worried after I saw/heard that. But rest assured, they are in great form. Go with a lot of money because the shirts are really cool, and if you collect Psycho Circus figures the new ones are available at the concert. I was surprised that they weren't selling KISSTORY I or II or any Psycho Circus comics...but hell, I spent enough on shirts.

So, to sum up, forget the negative crap we've all been reading. The guys are putting on one hell of a show, Let's see where it goes on the second leg when they come back...and we all know they will. We all love them and I'd worship at the temple of Kiss every night if I had the money!

KISS and KISS Fans rule! Can't wait to see you all at the next show! Support our heroes and go see them! It's beyond well worth it! And, leave your lazerpens at home, please. ;-)

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