Perth Now

FOUR decades after their original formation, KISS certainly still knows how to put on a Monster of a show.

In the first performance of their milestone 40th anniversary year, the rock ‘n’ roll superstars kicked off their Australian tour with metal band Motley Crue at Perth Arena last night.

It was a larger-than-life spectacle featuring all the KISS concert staples fans have come to know and love over the years including make-up, high heels, pyrotechnics, blood spitting, fire-breathing, guitar licking, sparking guitars and a levitating drum kit for the band’s first live show on Perth soil since 2004.

And age proved to be nothing but a number to co-frontmen Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who strutted around on stage oozing every ounce of the confident rock star persona they’ve always embodied.

Justin Benson-Cooper

The loyal KISS Army battalions were out in force, packing Perth Arena to the roof, rocking face-paint or official merchandise and screaming the words to every song.

It was a hit-packed two-hour set featuring the likes of Detroit Rock City, Shout It Out Loud, I Love It Loud, Psycho Circus, War Machine, an acoustic version of Shandi and Black Diamond.

There were a handful of newer hits from their latest album Monster, which was released last year, including Hell or Hallelujah, Wall of Sound and Outta This World, which saw guitarist Tommy Thayer take on lead vocals.

Kiss and Motley Crue are performing their first Australian show for the Monster Tour at Perth Arena. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

The crowd pleasing three song encore exploded with Lick It Up, I Was Made for Lovin’ You andRock and Roll All Night.

Not a band to stand in the shadows, Motley Crue took to the stage with their own brand of showmanship earlier in the evening, kicking things off with a grand entrance featuring the band waltzing through the crowd, flanked by girls and spraying smoke.

Girls, Girls, Girls, Kick Start My Heart, Home Sweet Home, Dr Feelgood and Shout At The Devilall featured and drummer Tommy Lee wowed the crowd by taking his drum kit on a 360-degree rollercoaster ride.

Irish rock band Thin Lizzy performed a set including Killer on the Loose, Don’t Believe a Word, Suicide, Jailbreak and The Boys Are Back in Town on the night.