Kiss / The Hottest Band In The World Rock Vegas

The self proclaimed ‘Hottest Band In The World’ play Sin City on their 40th anniversary tour.

Kiss – Kiss Rocks Vegas (Eagle Rock Entertainment) 

Release Date: 11 December 2020

Words: Robert Adams

Recorded during the bands nine gig residency at The Hard Rock Casino’s ‘The Joint’ venue in November 2014, this release showcases all the subtleties that a Kiss concert gives you.

Kiss, O2 London 2019
KISS. Photo: Eric Duvet

You may have noticed that this isn’t from Kiss’ ongoing farewell tour and the reason for this is that those lovely people at Eagle Rock Entertainment have released a series of classic live concerts in special edition packages.

In this case, the package has two 180gm yellow vinyl albums, with DVD, all contained in a ‘proper’ 12” gatefold sleeve with a host of pictures and assorted goodies. It is a WONDERFUL package.

Hella Rock Festival

KISS – Eagle Rock Entertainment

All the usual Kiss concert tropes are present and correct – the legendary “You wanted the best, you got the best, the hottest band in the word……KISS!” intro and more pyro than Chinese New Year, with enough flame bursts to satisfy the hungriest Aussie barbecue.

There are jumbo screens that project the show to the back of the car park, which capture Gene Simmons spewing blood before being raised to the rafters for ‘God Of Thunder’ and breathing fire at the end of ‘War Machine’, since ‘Firehouse’ was absent from this set.

Kiss, 2019.
KISS. Photo: Mark Ellis

Paul Stanley shimmies across the stage constantly for the whole show, zip lining to a stage in the middle of the crowd during ‘Love Gun’ and smashing his guitar at the end of ‘Rock And Roll All Night” and EVERYONE in the venue is having a great time.

There are not many spectacles like a Kiss show and this proves the point. Sure, Paul Stanley’s vocals sometimes fail him, but that is easily forgiven when the show is this good.

Photo of Kiss in Newcastle,
Kiss. Photo: Mick Burgess

Saying that, the band harmonies on ‘Tears Are Falling’ are remarkable and Stanley’s intro to ‘Black Diamond’ is faultless, before Eric Singer takes over lead vocal duties for that track.

There isn’t much more to say about ‘Kiss Rocks Vegas’ other than – just get yourself a copy!!

Those yellow 12” vinyl discs spinning on your turntable is a joyous sight indeed and when the contents are this good, that is a bonus.

Photo of Kiss, London 2019
KISS. Photo: Eric Duvet

Track List:
Detroit Rock City
Creatures Of The Night
Psycho Circus
Parasite
War Machine
Tears Are Falling
Deuce
Lick It Up
I Love It Loud
Hell Or Hallelujah
God Of Thunder
Do You Love Me
Love Gun
Black Diamond
Shout It Out Loud
Rock And Roll All Nite

Photo of Kiss, 2019.
KISS. Photo: Mark Ellis
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