KISS - The Monster Tour 2013 - Sydney Review

Allphones Arena
March 09, 2013
Sydney, New South Wales

Link: My Sydney Night One Photo Gallery

WOW!! What a show. Anyone who thought rock and roll was dead and buried wasn't at Sydney's Allphones Arena on Saturday night. What we witnessed there was a veritable extravaganza of rock and roll, at it's wild, loud, partying and hedonistic best.

Australian band Diva Demolition started the night off, and made way for Irish legends Thin Lizzy, with their new - and ultra-impressive - front man Ricky Warwick leading a tremendous set. Clearly, they're a band that, although aging, has a lot left to give. Their sound, musically, is tight, Warwick has a good voice, and never forgets the great Phil Lynott, paying homage to the deceased Thin Lizzy front man on a number of occasions during the show.

Sunset Strip rockers Motley Crue were next, with all the crudeness and sleaze that we've come to expect - and love - from Vince Neill and the boys. Flame, smoke, explosions and the awesome Tommy Lee drum solo, on a 360-degree wheel ensued. Nothing like seeing Tommy upside down, whacking away. And Motley have some good songs too. Certainly enough big hits and singalongs to get the crowd into it. Their set ended and you felt like you'd already gotten your money's worth.

But, for the capacity crowd, the best was yet to come - the hottest band in the world! KISS!! The foursome - founding members guitarist Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons, with guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer - began with Detroit Rock City, after Thayer, Stanley and Simmons arrived on stage, lowered from the rafters to the thunderous applause of the KISS Army.

Through "Deuce" and "Calling Dr Love" and "Love Gun" and "War Machine," KISS took us on a journey spanning forty years of rock and roll. There were songs from the new album, including the roaring lead single "Hell of Hallelujah," that resonated as well with the audience as the classics did. Simmons' trademark fire breathing after "Firehouse" was bettered only by his blood-spitting routine during his bass solo, a stunt that ends with him being hoisted back into the rafters, to a stage high above the crowd, to sing a song. Sometimes, "God Of Thunder", but tonight, "I Love It Loud."

Not to be outdone, Stanley took a flying fox across to the back of the room for an electrifying version of "Love Gun" before Simmons and Thayer were elevated on platforms out over the crowd during the mega-singalong "Rock and Roll All Nite," which ended the main set. Of course, there was an encore: the bombastic, heavy "Lick It Up" and "Black Diamond," sung by Singer to close out the night. 

And what a night! Rumours of the disintegration of Paul Stanley's voice have been greatly exaggerated. His voice isn't quite as it was in 1987 or 1997, but it's solid, and can reach most of the high notes, still. Certainly, vocally - all four band members sung at least one song - they were more impressive than Motley Crue. 

If there was one disappointment, it was the set list, wherein lay some strange song choices. Unfortunately, no sign of "I Was Made For Lovin' You Baby" or "Shandi," (performed acoustically at earlier tour dates) both of which were huge for KISS in Australia. Not hearing either was a major surprise. They seem to have been standards in this country for KISS tours since each song's inception. This was a major talking point walking out of the gig.

Other favourites like "Strutter" or "God Of Thunder", were left out in favour of some interesting choices, "Crazy, Crazy Nights" and "Psycho Circus," which I could have done without. Also, a shame to have "God Gave Rock & Roll To You" playing after the house lights have come up, rather than during the show. Still, for the most part, and especially because of the introduction of "Deuce", it was a solid set list.

Their stageshow, full of blood and fire, sparking guitars, levitating drum kits, rising platforms (and an unexpected surprise for the band: a stage invader), is slick, their sound perfect. It's one hell of a concert experience. No one went home disappointed.

Link: My Sydney (Night One) Photo Gallery