Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"KISS in small-scale acoustic show" shock!, 17 Sep 2003
Just kidding! This is KISS in all their bombast, with fireworks, explosions, flame-jets, levitating drum kits (well, OK, one levitiating drum kit...), flying bass-players who drool blood (OK, again just the one flying, blood-drooling bass player, but you get the idea)... oh, and the small matter of a full symphony orchestra behind them (in full KISS make-up) and a children's choir, all in front of a 35,000 strong crowd of gung-ho Aussies!
A sillier, more enjoyable concert it would be hard to imagine.
Amazingly, the first official video-record of KISS's live show (in make-up) in their 30-year history, it shows those none-believers who have always giggled at the true fans' obsession just how good this band are live. Forget the fact that this is a bunch of guys in their 50s who long ago gave up any need to make more money, they're putting on a show the equal of which is difficult to imagine, playing a whole raft of great pop-rock songs like 'Black Diamond', 'Rock and Roll All Nite', 'God of Thunder'... even the godawful Aussie-only-hit 'Shandi' sounds good in its acoustic version here.
The camera work is rather frenetic at times, but succeeds in capturing the monumental scale of the show, and the sound is first-rate.
There are a bunch of DVD extras like rehearsals, interviews, stage-set up and make-up sessions, but the meat of the package is the show, and that doesn't disappoint at all.
Pretty much worth the price of admission alone for the flying and blood-drooling if you ask me...!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delivering the goods yet again, 4 Feb 2005
Although the box says that it was a "crazy idea" to put KISS together with a symphony orchestra, it was an idea that was always going to work because KISS' music is more tuneful and melodic than they will ever get credit for. Adding an orchestra is just what these songs needed to lift them to another level.Paul Stanley seems a little worried that people might think Kiss are going soft, and several times feels the need to re-assure the fans that they aren't wimping out but adding a bit of fire under the already red hot songs. He needn't have worried, this is the best these songs have sounded. The first Act is KISS rocking as only they can tearing through killer cuts like Deuce, Strutter, Let me go rock and roll, and Calling Dr Love (the first three featured on the first "Alive" album 20 years ago but they still sound as fresh as ever and bring the house down) Act 2 is a more intimate accoustic set with the Melbourne Symphony Ensemble and features (among others) Beth, Forever, and Goin Blind. This is the weakest part of the show, and is in danger of losing momentum when..... Act 3 arrives, and Kiss are joined by the full Orchestra. Detroit Rock City, Do You Love Me, God of Thunder, Black Diamond, Rock and Roll all night, and Great Expectations really pound out of your speakers and benefit from the extra power brought by the orcestra. But the highlights have to be Love Gun and I was made for Lovin' you. These could be considered the definitive versions of these songs. The bonus features won't really stand repeated viewing, but do hold the interest and it is great to see the Australian fans in full make-up greeting the band at the airport. The Aussie fans must be the best in the world!!!!! This is an essential purchase for all KISS fans and might even convert a few non-believers who happen to see it. This is the best Kiss concert available on DVD and although lacking the raw hunger of the first live album, is musically the best of the four Kiss 'Alive' albums. The fact that it is on DVD and thus we can see the concert is the biggest bonus of all.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding, 6 Jul 2005
This concert initially gave me doubts. No Ace. However this all changed when I saw this DVD.The first act consisted of Kiss in there original style. Tommy Thayer sounds excellent and some may say he sounds tighter then Ace. Paul steals the show as usual - proving that he is probable THE BEST showman in rock. The songs Strutter, Psycho Circus and Let me go Rock n roll shine. These songs sound better then ever. The second act - to me sounds great, it shows the level of diversity that Kiss have as musicans, proving that they can play melodic music. Again the whole lineup sound great. All songs in this section sound fantastic. The third act - .....BOOM!!!!!!..... The Orchestra really pump up the songs. The band have as much energy as they did 20 years ago and the performance is awesome. The songs 'I was made for loving you', 'God of Thunder' 'Black Diamond' and 'Love Gun' sound probably there best ever. Tommy plays the leads very very well and I was impressed overall with the DVD. The special features disk has the backstage footage and rehersals - which is very entertaining. In short if your into rock/metal music. BUY THIS DVD NOW. I will also recommend the CD.
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