Introduction

Most Psycho Circus shows are well filmed and this show is no exception.

Background

This was the sixteenth show of the 33-date North American leg of the Psycho Circus tour. The day after this show, the band filmed the concert sequence for the movie Detroit Rock City at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum.

Video Specifics

This is an amateur shot, single cam, handheld from about the 200 level. The filmer is close to the centre of the venue.

The Show

Psycho Circus- the camera is rather shaky for the first part of the song but it is not a problem for the rest of the show. The first thing one notices about the band is Paul’s wearing the worst wig ever. It looks like he is wearing a dead animal of some kind. I’d guess the hair of a bear that had been killed by electrocution. Paul’s voice strains through most of the song thus making this version rather forgettable.

Shout It Out Loud- a nice version. This version is played a little heavier then others and the vocals are right on the money by Gene and Paul. Prior to the next song, Paul says “ last night we were in Montreal ’’. The crowd boos. Paul responds by saying “ they said the same about you. It’s up to you to make this the night we remember ’’.

Deuce- I think Deuce sounds better as the second, or in this case, as the third song of the set. Gene’s remembers all the lyrics and Ace nails all the solos. One can’t ask for much more then that. Before the next song, the 3D camera is used for the first time. Paul hams it up for the camera, which is right in front of the stage.

Do You Love Me ?- not the best version by any stretch of the imagination. The drums are not played with authority, Gene’s bass is high, and Paul’s voice is really high (to the point of screeching) at times throughout the song.

Firehouse- a standard version with Gene blowing 1 fireball at the end. This song is very well filmed with nice zooms and fluid camera movement. Paul gives the obligatory laser pointer warning before the next song by saying “ I’ll shove that pen so far up your ass you’ll cough it out your mouth ’’. Since this seemed to be a nightly rap, I wonder if there were actually laser pointers being used at all the shows. Hmm…

Shock Me- a decent version. Throughout most of the song, Ace has his guitar between his legs with his knees turned inward so it looks like he is doing the funky chicken. There is no solo at the end of this song, which is good for a change.

Let Me Go Rock and Roll- a plodding version for the first half of the song. Gene does his bass solo, which is similar to the one on Alive. The song ends with the Deuce choreography.

Callin’ Dr. Love- The doctor should be seriously considering retirement.

Into the Void- one can’t help but notice how much the material from Psycho Circus suffers in comparison to the classic stuff. A decent version, certainly better then the other two Psycho Circus offerings but that isn’t saying too much. The song ends with Ace’s solo.

King of the NightTime World- the end of Ace’s solo nicely segues into the opening of this song. The vocals are low and rather buried, which detracts from a rather decent version, musically speaking.

God of Thunder- after Gene’s blood spitting routine, he then stands and poses egging the crowd on with chants of “ Gene, Gene, Gene…’’. In typical Gene fashion, he screws up the first verse of the song seemingly forgetting the words altogether. After this “ false ’’ start, the song regains its momentum. Some people don’t like the post-’96 version of this song with Peter as drummer because it tended to be rather plodding but I think it has a sledgehammer sort effect with the more deliberate playing. The ending of this song bleeds into…

Within- arguably the worst song ever to grace a Kiss setlist. How this song stayed in the setlist for the entire tour is beyond me. Gene vocals are almost impossible to hear and Paul is practically yelling the background vocals. However, the band gets marks for putting this after God of Thunder so it doesn’t stick out as much, which was a wise move. Peter’s drum solo is played towards the end of the song.

Cold Gin- Paul gives the crowd the usual don’t drink and drive rap. This version is a tad sloppy but not sloppy bad.

Love Gun- Paul’s “ flies “ to the platform situated in the crowd. This song is a total waste from a video point of view. The platform is too far under the balcony for the filmer to be able to see it. As a result we get the audio but the video only focuses on the main stage.

100,000 Years- a pedestrian version. The bass is too high and Paul’s vocals are hard to hear.

Rock and Roll All Nite- Gene doesn’t miss any words or verses, the confetti goes off on cue, and Paul’s smashes his guitar at the end of the song. A good version.

Beth- there is nothing really special about this version. However, Peter does look like he is lip- synching. Is it live or is it Memorex ?

Detroit Rock City- prior to this song, the band is awarded gold records for sales of Psycho Circus on stage. The announcer says “ Psycho Circus is the fastest selling gold Kiss album in the

1990’s ’’. The song itself is well played. Gene tongues Ace’s next during the song, which is always weird to see.

Black Diamond- Paul does the normal solo opening and has a little fun with the crowd getting them involved. Peter’s vocals are good and the song ends with the usual smoke and pyro.

Overall

Outside of the slightly rough opening and the Love Gun problem, the show is very well filmed and certainly worth tracking down if you are looking for a show from the Psycho Circus tour. Overall an 8.5/10.