So Kiss was finally able to continue their End Of The Road farewell tour after a two-year pandemic hold-up. And no, Kiss isn’t on their quadruple farewell tour like a lot of people keep suggesting. It’s their second. Many bands, like Scorpions, Whitesnake and Judas Priest has gone on a bye-bye-tour only to return. Mötley Crüe anyone? In all honesty, I said goodbye to Kiss as a touring band years and years ago. I love this band with all of my heart but the urge to see them live faded a long time ago. I did see them in 2017 but only because I got a free ticket and of course I’ve seen them at Sweden Rock Festival in 2013 and in 2019 because I was already there. This time me and my wife bought tickets because our son wanted to see them – and of course he should. This was the last chance so it had to be done.
Kiss of today is a predictable band – and have been so for a long time now. They rarely change the setlist – they might change a song or two tops – and even Paul’s stage-rap is more or less identical tour after tour. But going to a Kiss show we know all that so no need to complain. What we also know is that we’re gonna be treated with a hell of a show. Paul’s lip-syncing? Well, we knew that beforehand too and to be honest, I prefer that to the horrible croaking I witnessed back in 2013 and 2017. As I wrote, the setlist is set in stone, more or less – “Detroit Rock City” opens the show and “Shout It Out Loud”, “Deuce”, “War Machine”, “Heaven’s On Fire” and “I Love It Loud” follows – as they should. I’m a big fan of Sonic Boom and personally I like to hear “Say Yeah” live – my son loved it – but it also stands clear that shitloads of people don’t know it or don’t care for it. With Stanley’s reluctance to obscure songs, it’s a mystery it’s still in the set.
“Cold Gin”. Love the song, they do it well but it has overstayed its welcome especially after Ace’s departure. Guitar Solo. Had to be done – Tommy Thayer needs to shoot fireworks from his guitar too. It’s entertaining but a bit too long. “Lick It Up” was never a favorite of mine but it sure gets the crowd going and “Calling Dr Love” is awesome but that too could have been replaced with another classic – it’s been in the set forever. “Tears Are Falling” however is a nice surprise. It’s an 80’s gem and I have never seen them doing it live before so thank you for that. “Psycho Circus” is a “modern” Kiss classic, a great song and it belongs in the set and the drum solo that turned into “100 000 Years” brings back Alive! memories. I love that. The bass solo, which is really more of an intro where Gene spits blood, to the mighty “God Of Thunder”. That also belongs in the set.
Paul flies over the audience to a small stage in the middle of the arena when it’s time for “Love Gun” and the crowd had to shout Paul’s name really loud in order for him to that, just like he wouldn’t have done it if the crowd was too quiet. He’s been doing that for years but it’s part of the show and I wouldn’t have had any other way. I’m deadly tired of “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” – I was never been a fan of the song in the first place, to be honest – and I would welcome them dropping the song from the set any day but I guess it’s a huge hit and for the non-hardcores it’s a must. “Black Diamond” is another must, one of Kiss’ best songs ever and Eric Singer sings it very well.
“Beth” to me is Peter Criss’ song and even though Singer does it well while pretending he’s playing the piano, I wonder how many would complain if they got rid of it. Don’t get me wrong, I like it but is it a necessity? I don’t think so. Same with “Do You Love Me”, it’s a party-stomper that works very well live but they have so many other classics and this one’s been with us since Jesus went to pre-school. One song that really is a must is closing track “Rock And Roll All Nite” despite I always found somewhat mediocre and today it’s been played to death. The song turns into a crescendo every time it’s played and yes, I really want it to be the band’s closing track no matter what.
How did Kiss do then? Well, I’m glad I did buy a ticket because tonight they were damn bloody awesome. The whole band played really well, it was tight and they really seemed to had a blast up there, joking around every now and then, they were intense, fired-up and energetic. It’s really incredible how two guys in their 60’s (Tommy and Eric) and two in their 70’s (Paul and Gene) can still feel so vital – and the show was of course OTT, I mean it’s Kiss we’re talking about. As a long-time fan, I got into them in the mid 70’s, it was a firey goodbye but also a bit heavy-hearted. No more Kiss? They’ve always been there and now there’s no more? I’m so glad they went out on a high. Thank you for everything, guys, you’ve been not only the soundtrack to my youth but to my whole life. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, you will always be in my heart and so will everyone who has ever been in the band.
A few words about Nestor as well. I saw them recently at Sweden Rock and they totally killed it there but to open for a band like Kiss in a big Arena is a totally different thing. First off, their sound left a whole lot to be desired even though it got better throughout the gig but other than that, no complaints. The setlist was basically the same as on Sweden Rock and they were just as good. The fact that the whole place was more or less packed – somewhere around 25 – 30 000 people – kinda shows just how popular they are right now. Usually it’s only half-full or so when the opening act hits the stage so that Nestor managed to almost fill the place up is really impressing. Respect. I’ll say it again, stardom waits just around the corner for these guys.
CD & Festival reviews 