From: Tommy

Flew in to Toronto yesterday to see the show with my wife who is not a Kiss fan but figured she might as well keep me company! Having read some of the other reviews, I can make these comments:

1. The Set List - exactly the same as other show but now no Makin'Love (too Bad) or IWMFLY (Thank God!). People are complaining about the lack of PC songs but having reviewed some of their set lists over the years, the most songs they ever played off a new album seems to be 5 (Destroyer and Love Gun, Rock and Roll Over). You can't count earlier albums cause they didn't even have enought to play a full set. I think the problem is not the number but the choice. Within' and Into the Void could easily be replaced I Pledge Allegiance and You Wanted the Best. These are more "anthemic" type songs that would go over better in concert. Other than that, the band has so many classics too play that choices are limited.

With regards to shortening the set list, I think it has more to do with Pace. The crowd in Toronto seemed to be pretty tired by the end. (Hell my voice was gone by the 5th song!). Us older Kiss fans probably can't Rock and Roll all Night like we used to but we're OK for an hour and a half or two!

I think another smaller tour in the future similar to the conventions, only with the band plugged in would be a good chance to play the more obscure stiff for us diehards.

2. The Music - The band was much tighter than the tapes I have heard and watched from the re-union tour. Sound got better as the night went on although the choruses on Into The Void were really muddy. Obviously more due to the arrangement than the sound. I was impressed with Peter, in fact for you nitpickers out there, he and Gene are sliding a few extra bass/Drum fills during Ace's solo on 100,000 years. Very precise. If your concert has a good mix you will hear it.

Gene forgot the first verse to God of Thunder and just said some Oh-Yeahs! It was funny and actually adds some spontenaeity. What kind of concert would it be if Gene remembered everything?!

Ace - good job on the solos - the band didn't really start to cook until his solo in Deuce. Sound on the solos during the songs was crystal clear. There were enough changes in his guitar solo to keep it interesting, yet familiar.

Paul - Showed the most energy (as usual) on stage. Love Gun was one of the shows highlights.

Peter - best I've heard him play since the 70's. Solo was similar to Ace's in that it was familiar yet changed enought to keep it interesting.

3. The Show - Much more pyro than the re-union tour. The confetti and sparklers during Rock and Roll All Night are spectacular! Peter solo and the rising drun kit are really cool. It' the reunion tour with just enough improvements to say that it's worth seeing, even if you saw the reuinion tour in my opinion. The light show is very crisp and clean looking. The 3-D is cool at certain points but that and the screens is almost a distraction at some times. I'd rather watch the band even if they are far away. Ace's 3D effects were the best and infairness the 3D got a lot of oohs and aahs from the crowd during the concert.

4. The Crowd - ranged from 4 to 40. lots of 2nd generation Army members present! Lots of people in make-up and some excellent costumes which really adds to the atmosphere. Lots of energy from the crowd and to me hearing every body shouting the "You Wanted the Best ..." intro was a moment I will never forget. I haven't been to many concerts lately but it seems that their is a special feeling at a Kiss concert. Almost a "We Are One" type of feeling.

I finally got to see Kiss in make-up after 22 years and I was not disappointed. No it's not the perfect show but from what I could see, most people at the concert had a great time and left with a smile on their face and that's what it's all about. I think seeing them again close to the stage on the floor will be my next objective.

Go see the Pyscho Circus Tour no matter what the nitpickers say. Its a good show.

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