From: LUVITL0UD@aol.com
I have seen kiss since 1976. I boycotted the NON makeup years, but bought the Cd's. I caught the 96 Weenie Roast Kiss first reunion show , the three LA Forum shows and the 96 Irvine Halloween and The day after show. I caught Psycho Circus tour's first show in 98 and then the Farewell Show in Anaheim in March which was marred by tech problems and was subpar.

I was absolutely amazed that tonight in Irvine was the best live performance I ever saw. I was blown away. Same show, but the energy level was AWESOME. First off, Paul has dropped a lot of weight and he looks 24 again and svelte. When he took his top off, he looked ripped. Ace also has dropped a lot of weight and looks great. Ace's energy and his hops and jumps were out of character for him. Gene still looks heavy, but he was in great form. Peter looks great too.

From the start of " We wont get fooled again" the excitement built in the crowd. Then, the KISS black curtain dropped and the music blared out the old Sammy Hagar Montrose classics as we were fooled by the false start. But after Bad Motor Scooter the Lights go out and you can hear the hydraulic pressure sound as the lift brings the band into the air, and then, " YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE LAND KISS"

Detroit Rock City starts and Gene, Ace and Paul come down playing together while Peter's kit starts in the air and descends. From there it was Deuce, Shout it Out Loud, I love it Loud, Firehouse, Heaven's on Fire, Shock me, Dr. Love, Do you love me ( video recap) 2000 man Ace's guitar solo and also Kiss CG series, Psycho Circus ( lighting was awesome) Lick it up, God of Thunder, Gene's solo and by the way the best live version I have ever heard, 100,000 years, Cold Gin, Love Gun Paul into the crowd and then Paul serenaded us to a solo version of I still love you ( first two verses) and then into Black Diamond, unfortunately, Peter was barely audible. Encores Beth, where Peter did exactly what he did on the '79 Largo show, he screwed up and missed the second verse thinking it ended, but continued singing and catching himself by repeating the latter half of the first verse. Of course, R n R all night ended the show as 10,000 lbs of confetti was everywhere and the PYRO was everywhere.

First off everyone looks great, Paul and Ace especially they were lean and both of them had energy levels that exhuded the whole show. I have never seen Ace so animated. He jumped, hopped and did guitar windmills.

Sound Check, when we arrived early, we were able to sneak a glimpse of the group doing their check. No Ace was to be found. It was Gene, Paul and Peter with a tech doing guitar for Ace. But Ace was there for showtime.

Ace's solo during 2k man was the best I have seen him play in a long time. His riffs were fast and his fingers flew. I have never seen him so animated and he joked and laughed with the crowd.

This had to be one of the best shows I saw in my 24 years of seeing KIss live. I would say the energy level was contagious to the First KIss show I saw at the Great Western Forum in 1996. The crowd was packed and full to the lawn.

Unless, the guys were acting, their rapport and treatment to each other looked like everyone was having a great time and enjoying themselves.

HINTS:

Look for new effects on the video screen during God of Thunder AWESOME

DO YOU LOVE ME the video chronology is great and makes you feel sentimental

Y2KISS during 2000 man is cool the new Kiss webisodes

Ace added some great banter during his guitar solo

Peter sang " Gene's got you under his thumb" during Black Diamond and after which Gene replied " oh yeh" It was funny

During their salute to the crowd, Gene chased Peter around the stage it was classic.

Overall, this is the best show I have seen in years. It was worth the $90 a ticket for the entertainment. Paul said before he left " You deserve the best, why pay hard earned money to see someone who looks like your neighbor. Pay your money to see entertainment, if you dont get what you 've seen here tonight, then you got ripped off" everyone cheered.

Kiss did it right and are going out on top. DONT MISS THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!

8/11 IRVINE CALIFORNIA IS KISSTORY IN MY EYES

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