Love 'em or hate 'em, one can't deny is that KISS has always given its fans "bang for the buck" when it comes to their live performances. Enormous stage sets, pyrotechnics, confetti, and fake blood are a given at every KISS concert. How would this mixture work with a 60 piece orchestra? On February 23, 2003, the band decided to take a cue from Metallica and find out for themselves.
Thankfully for KISS fans, the result has been captured on DVD. Recorded live from Melbourne, Australia, this 2 disc set includes a 6 song intro set with KISS themselves, a 5 song unplugged set with the Melbourne Symphony Ensemble, and a 10 song set with the full 60 piece orchestra...all wearing KISS makeup. How does the "rock and roll over Beethoven" experiment work?
Surprisingly well. Maestro David Campbell's arrangements enhance the original spirit of the songs rather than going against the grain of the "rock power". The 5.1 Surround Sound mix brings out the orchestra much more clearly than what is allowed on the CD version of this concert.
KISS fans will delight in hearing several songs which the band rarely plays such as "Shandi", "Sure Know Something", and "Goin' Blind". This event also marks the first time Peter Criss sang "Beth" without pre-recorded music and the premiere performance of Destroyer's "Great Expectations" (with help from the Australian Children's Choir). Since Ace Frehley is currently working on reviving his solo career, Tommy Thayer has been brought in to play the Ace "role". Tommy does a great job of soothing the skeptics as he completely nails Ace's style...from his stage moves to his signature guitar leads.
The film quality is terrific, though the editing is a bit too jumpy. One second you're watching Paul Stanley flying across the audience, and the next you're served a close up of a concert attendant wearing a Mötley Crüe t-shirt.
Also included in the 2 disc set is a documentary of the making of KISS Symphony detailing the creation of the orchestral arrangements and the initial rehearsal sessions. Bonus features include an interview and a live unplugged performance on the Australian television show ROVE LIVE!
This set is a must for die hard KISS fans as documentation of a musical experiment which truly worked.
3.5/4
