KISS - Darien Lake, Darien NY - 08/13/2010

By John Jeffrey

Darien, NY-Friday the 13th is supposed to be an unlucky day for most, but for the near capacity crowd at Darien Lake's amphitheater, luck was not an issue. The truth was apparent.  KISS had arrived, and brought with them, "The Hottest Show on Earth." 

For nearly 40 years, KISS has been refining and tweaking the stage show that they created, with the help and guidance of original manager Bill Aucoin, and mentor, Sean Delaney.  While both Bill and Sean have passed on (the band learned of Aucoin's recent death on June 28th of this year, while wrapping up their tour of Europe), their 'baby' still lives, and has grown to Godzilla sized proportions.  While incorporating today's technology by utilizing a massive video screen (perched behind the drum riser), with smaller screens scattered throughout the stage, the majority of the "KISS Show" still relies upon a large amount of smoke, fire, and enough lights to illuminate a small city.

Everything is 'over the top' - which is exactly the way "The Hottest Show on Earth" begins.  After the grandiose, "You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best" intro, KISS' front line (Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley & Tommy Thayer) are hoisted (via a mechanical lighting truss) up and 'over the top' of drummer Eric Singer, while grinding out the main riff of "Modern Day Delilah," the opening track off of KISS' 2009 release, "Sonic Boom."

The fans in attendance got to witness a show which spans KISS' entire career, which frontman Paul Stanley describes, "From the beginning to the 'Boom'."  While some diehards clamor for a more diverse set list, KISS is pleasing the masses with a list of songs of their biggest hits from the 70's, 80's & 90's - with three songs from "Sonic Boom" thrown in for good measure.

While the traditional theatrics of both bassist, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley (Simmons breathes fire and spits blood, while both he and Stanley perform separate 'flying' routines) got a rise out of the crowd, it was lead guitarist, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer's musical duel, which stole the show.

On previous tours, both Thayer and Singer had performed separate guitar and drum solo spots - which were equally entertaining - but the combining of the two, created a unique spectacle, which dazzled the ears and the eyes.  After the musical interlude at the end of the song "Shock Me," the duo alternated from jamming together (just guitar and drums), to each of them showing off their individual chops, as they took turns disappearing from the stage.  For the climax, after shooting two rockets out of the end of his guitar, Tommy climbed aboard the stage right 'cherry picker' and ascended towards the roof, as Eric's drum riser levitated, racing him to the top.  After Tommy shot his final rocket into the lighting rig, Eric, not to be outdone, pulls out a bazooka (which was previously stashed out of sight), and fires a huge blast of his own, making the crowd go wild.

Near the end of the show, KISS were presented with a larger than life 'check' to sign, made out to the Wounded Warriors Care Project (a foundation which helps injured troops in their time of need) for $122,891.00 - which represents $1 that KISS donates from every ticket sold thus far, from this tour.  After the honorary signing, Paul Stanley led the crowd into a recital of the "Pledge of Allegiance."

Closing the show, with the tried but true anthem, "Rock and Roll All Night," KISS left the Buffalo/Darien Lake crowd drained, it's ears ringing, and with an unforgettable memory of why they are simply the best.

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