From: Chris Barnes

          There was a lot of hype [from Gene] building this tour up to be the biggest and better tour ever! Ya gotta hand it to those guys for trying. Don't get me wrong, this was a great show. But honestly, it wasn't all that different than the reunion tour of '96-'97. But that's what's good about it. Doing too many new things (i.e. 3-D effects) could drive the fans away. If you're a true KiSS fan, however, this show is perfect. It has all the great music they've always produced along with the theatrics they've always been known for.   

        "Psycho Circus" opened the show, as predicted, followed by "Shout it Out Loud" (why?). The set list selection had some unusual and disappointing choices than that of the previous tour. What ever happened to the classics like "I Stole Your Love" and "Christine Sixteen" and "She?" I would've quickly opted for these rather than "Shout It..." and the pointless "I Was Made For Lovin' You." Also, there are some great songs on the new album that were begging to be played live like "Raise Your Glasses," "I Pledge Allegiance," and "Dreamin'." (enough with the Alice Cooper comparisons, they're two different songs)

A great encore though starting with "Beth." I've never really been a fan of this song but Peter's "God bless you all, thank you" at the end gives it more meaning of why it's in there. "Detroit Rock City" is just a great KiSS song, perfect for the beginning or end of the show. And Paul's intro to "Black Diamond" really spotlights his guitar talent. That song's a great closer.

          No concert from these guys is complete without all the theatrics. Ace brought his smoke bomb for his solo and shot the rockets to the ceiling. He had a new pinwheel type thing on the end of his guitar that sparked during "Rock and Roll..." Gene's blood and fire were great as always. He still did the "God of Thunder" from way up above.....perfect! And Peter's drum solo, while not really necessary, was an improvement over last tour's solo. The whole 3-D thing was a great idea but it wasn't all that great. You can only take so many guitar necks in your face. But it only made the concert cooler and more creative which was their plan. KiSS starts the trends. Maybe it was just at the angle i was sitting.

          The confetti party during "Rock and Roll All Night" was endless. At one point, these two streams of confetti just poured in a straight line down onto the crowd, a little too hard perhaps, but funny. No big deal though, all part of the show. Something new, which was cool, was Paul's journey out over the audience on this pulley contraption during "Love Gun." Singing the verses from a 5' x 5' platform out in the middle of the crowd was great but his dancing and interaction with the crowd on this little stage was incredible.

          Who knows if Peter really is leaving after this tour, but as of now these guys are having the time of their lives. You must remember they're pushing fifty and they're still giving it everything they're got. I couldn't believe the way Paul sprinted around the stage and up steps in those shoes. I think he recently had surgery too! And with the microphone, that guy is the ultimate showman. They seem like little kids again. Ace and Gene high-fived about half a dozen times and they're classic three man stance during "Deuce" and "Let Me Go, Rock and Roll" is a KiSS staple.

          So the hype was a little overplayed, but it was still KiSS and it was still incredible to see and hear. Back in the '70's, Elton John said "I dont understand why they don't die on that stage. I've really never seen a band work so hard." Elton should see them 20 years later, they only work harder.

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