From: Craig
This was the seventh time that I've seen Kiss and I would have to say that this was one of the better performances I've seen. Although they have all been great, this one seemed to have a little more energy and flash.

Right off the bat I was impressed that the show started on time. The ticket said 7:00 and at 7:00 the lights went out and Skid Row began. All things considered, they were reasonably good. Not really being a big fan, I could take or leave them. The new singer does at least have a voice that he can manage during a live performance. Sebastian Bach always sounded as though he was in severe pain when he performed live.

Next up...........Ted. Ted Nugent could burst into flames and the world would be an enlightened place. Musically, Ted is okay. Some of his stuff is at least enjoyable. However, I could do without him extolling his political virtues on me. Many of his comments were not only offensive, but hypocritical. One of his comments was "If you don't speak English, get the f#*@ out!" He then came out wearing a Native American head dress. I don't beleive that the Native Americans spoke English did they? Must be why we tried to run them out. In a rant of a song that included his opinions on Janet Reno, Jesse Jackson, Bill CLinton, Al Gore, and the I.R.S. among others; he claimed that they could all "Kiss my Ass." He referred to these people as a "piece of sh#@;" and said that they could "suck my d*%#." His t-shirts even go so far as to say "F@#! You, I'm an American." I realize that this is supposed to be the land of the free where we can express our opinions without retribution, but for all of Ted's patriotism, he appears to be promoting an Aryan Nation with weapons stockpiled to keep out immigrants and inferior races. That's nice Adolf. If I'm not mistaken, I do beleive that Gene Simmons immigrated to this country and it's now his coat tails you're riding and his crumbs your scarfing down. Don't choke.

Mercifully, Hitler's set was fairly short. (Although he still played the long version of "Stranglehold.")

Kiss took the stage and performed for a solid two-plus hours. All the tricks and flash were there. The fire, the blood, the rising drum set, the flying guitar. If you've seen them before, you know what I'm talking about. If it's on the stage, it will be blown up, lit up, or burned up before the night is over. Everyone was in prime form. With the exception of a few slip-ups (drum fills that dropped a beat, guitar solos not bent far enough to be in tune) it was a solid performance. I was happy to hear "2,000 Man" and "I Love it Loud" among the new additions to the traditional set list. I would like to hear "C'mon and Love Me," but I don't get to make the set list.

From the dropping of the curtain to last falling piece of confetti, it is a show like no other. Current musicians owe this band a huge debt. They are the masters of the show and the monsters of the stage. If you have a chance to see them: DO IT! You won't regret it. All others will pale in comparison.

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