Review: KISS rock Liverpool's Echo arena

Strange place the Echo arena. For all its finery, amazing architecture and all the excitement of finally having a rival to Manchester's MEN, the Echo Arena still has yet to find its place in many people's hearts. I got the feeling, as I went into the belly of the beast to find a space to watch KISS' SONIC BOOM SHOW, that it still hasn’t found its soul. I think the main reason for this, aside from the over priced drinks, was the second set of railings that had been deployed by the “seat Nazi's” that run the place to stop any temptation people may have to jump from the seated area onto the undersold standing section below.

But a cold welcome and the underwhelming opening act didn't stop the crowd (who bought tickets, realising that this show was unmissable - to miss this, was to miss out) going mental when KISS eventually took to the stage. Not just by walking on, of course, that would be too easy. The curtain dropped as the riffs of 'Modern Day Delilah' roar into the air, and a large mechanical arm lifts them over the drum riser and delivers them onto the stage. Sonic Boom indeed.

The first thing that hit me (above the mammoth sound waves) was how good Paul Stanley’s voice is, and he still has the moves. They all do. And they're in their late 50s!

Kiss are a band who do not disappoint. They seemed to relish the fact that they would have to work hard for the noise from the smaller than capacity crowd. The live show, as you would expect (this is KISS afterall), is second to none.

Big Screen showing Kiss Army pics? Check. Pyrotechnics you could feel from the back? Check. Band members flying through the air? Check. Blood vomiting? Check. And that's not to say the show is all about the gimmicks, underneath it all they were absolutely on top of their game musically. With a set list that played like a greatest hits, they blazed through Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll, Firehouse, Detroit Rock City and even did a high wire version of 'I Love it loud' with Gene Simmons snarling at us from the rafters. Breaks between the songs were just chances to get the crowd going even more.

They returned to stage after leaving with a bang, warning us 'there will be only one encore Liverpool' - cue the boos - 'but it will be the longest encore you've ever had' - cue the cheers!

They truly saved the best ‘til last giving us explosive versions 'I Was Made For Loving You', 'God Gave Rock N Roll To You' and 'Rock N Roll All Night'. Ending the set with explosions, confetti, the lot. This was such a great show, visually amazing, musically played to the extreme, and performed with sack load of candour and talent from the seasoned pro's that are KISS. I felt lucky be there to witness it (despite the price tag). For me, KISS may just have delivered the soul the arena's desperately lacking, serving up a night that will stay with me for a while to come. If they come back to Liverpool again Do. Not. Miss. It!
9/10 KISS THIS!

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