KISS sets fire to the bullring (literally)
Explosions, vomiting blood, flaming swords, guitars that shot fire, and musicians flying across the stage confirm that this US band, one of the most charismatic of the last 45 years, is still in full form
By Alfonso Alba / http://cordopolis.es
Excerpt translated for KISSonline by Jill Cataldo
At 1:00 o'clock in the morning, when the last chord of Rock and Rock all Nite was still echoing in the bullring, Ciudad Jardín was covered in darkness and fluttering paper. A few minutes before, the bullring in Córdoba had been burned, literally, by a visual and musical spectacle unheard of in this city.
The fireworks, the explosions, and thousands of small pieces of paper blown with fury into the Cordovan sky had been the culmination of the concert of one of those few, legendary bands that still tour the world without backup recordings, without assistance, and without feeling forced. After a 45 year, career, KISS is still authentic. It's a real show. Live music surrounded by explosions, guitarists flying through the air and swords on fire. Glam metal and capitalism. Oh, KISS.
KISS arrived in Córdoba with great expectations. The American band with the most gold records (yes, they have scary numbers of them) landed in the city of Calipha on a hot July 12th. The heat of the flames that raged on the stage could be felt and appreciated every time they spread over the full bullring.
The gigantic spectacle of KISS was bigger than the bullring itself (which is not small, exactly.) Some fans unsuccessfully searched for tickets at the box office, but the show was sold out. They could listen to KISS from outside (or practically from any point of the city), but outside, they would not see this unique, hypnotic show, which kept the fans standing where they were for close to two hours. No one wanted to be penalized for going for a beer or the bathroom in case they missed something: an explosion, a musician flying through the air, a guitar spitting fireworks.
KISS' heavy, musical anthems thundered in Córdoba through Paul Stanley on his gigantic platforms. Fans saw him fly during Love Gun. Stanley dared to speak a little Castilian, did not stop calling out to the Cordovan public, and even affirmed that it was the best audience he had ever seen.
KISS started late, but they did not disappoint. The low voice of Gene Simmons, who at 70 years old still has more charisma than the devil, melted an audience that wanted the giant KISS curtain to fall. The four musicians descended from the sky of Córdoba while the audience applauded wildly at the beginning of the show.
The New Yorkers have been together for 45 years with their faces painted, scaring children, up on platforms and breaking electric guitars. But they still roar like it's their first day. Or, at least it seems like it. And KISS are authentic. They are a real War Machine (are you ready to rock, Paul?) The band maintains an incredible dignity on the stage, bringing their kind of heavy, hard rock which forces its audience to feel like this is going to be the last concert they ever see.
July 12 will be a concert remembered in this city. Those who were inside enjoyed Simmons vomiting blood and savoring it with a very long tongue that was spinning over the microphone. Tommy Thayer shot fireworks during his guitar solo in Shock Me. Paul Stanley gave everything in the mythical I was Made for Lovin You, and the public sang along to Detroit rock city .
The concert also be remembered by those neighbors who suddenly saw a bullring in flames, fireworks that crowned overhead, explosions that came and went, and a roar from an audience that was more than satisfied. Today, it is still worth seeing KISS. It was a legendary show.
