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The KISS shine dims too quickly

KISS
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Tinley Park, IL
September 7, 2012
KISS KISS KISS

Story and photos by Rob Grabowski

Mounting a massive stage and with an incredibly large high def screen in the background, KISS emerged from the rafters as conquering heroes (don't they always though) at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. On a platform, the seminal band launched into "DetroitRockCity" and "Shout It Out Loud" with the ever veteran aplomb completely intact. The stage and light show had more firepower than the lights on the Vegas strip. The visual spectacle really delivered the "WOW" factor straight from the KISS guidebook of cool (available only on newsstands early next week). With Gene Simmons breathing streams of fire during "Firehouse" and flying up to the ceiling spewing blood all over his minions during "God of Thunder," Paul Stanley made light of downloading the song, "Hell or Hallelujah," off of their upcoming release Monster from iTunes. Tommy Thayer filled the Space Boots and belted out the lyrics on "ShockMe," as he ripped into a rapid fire guitar solo that hit you in the gut like a rusty World War I machine gun.

Beat skinner Eric Singer had his turn blowing the stage up when he pulled out a Bazooka and shot down some strategically placed stage lights. Paul Stanley never sounded better as he continued the theatrics while he flew over the audience to a second stage and performed a shockingly electric version of "Love Gun." "Lick It Up" and "Black Diamond" rounded out the set before the encore of "Calling Dr. Love" and with confetti filling the air they finished off the evening with their signature song "Rock and Roll All Nite."

While the show was sensational from the lights and pyro to their timeless music and performance, I couldn't believe that the band only played 13 songs. Leaving the crowd wanting more seemed like an overstatement. KISS has lived by the mantra that "You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best" but after 13 songs I'm not sure they delivered their best this time around. Next tour, please leave the cheerleaders (openers) off of the bill and make sure to play the whole four quarters and not give up at halftime - especially when you're already winning.

Tinley Park list:
Detroit Rock City
Shout It Out Loud
I Love It Loud
Firehouse Hell or Hallelujah
War Machine
Shock Me
God of Thunder
Love Gun
Lick It Up
Black Diamond

Encore:
Calling Dr. Love
Rock and Roll
All Nite

Related articles:

KISS - Concert review - Chicago, IL - November 2009
KISS (Summerfest 2009) - Photo Gallery - Milwaukee, WI - July 2009
KISS - Concert review - Tinley Park, IL - July 2004
Aerosmith / KISS - Concert review - East Troy, WI - Sept. 2003
KISS - Concert review - Madison, WI - Dec. 1998
Kiss - Psycho Circus - Album review

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