The two shows so far released in Kiss’s Off The Soundboard series might benefit from having been recorded in the 21st century, when live recording technology was way more advanced than in the 70s, but there’s something more compelling about this dustier, shakier affair.
The first of the series captures their makeup-clad, fire-breathing 70s prime, this Midwest arena show fizzing with villainous vim, even if the audience sound like they are miles away.
In a year when punk threatened to make such trad rock sound pedestrian, Kiss could hardly be accused of lacking edge. Paul Stanley sounds positively possessed as he whoops and exhorts his way through Love Gun, Shout It Out Loud and a riotous take on “rock’n’roll national anthem” Rock And Roll All Nite.
And even without the visuals to accompanying a demonic God Of Thunder, you sense that if you’d been there you’d have been ready to drink your own blood to get on board this extraordinary rock juggernaut.
