Kiss - Symphony [2xDVD9] (2003)

Video: 720x480 60hz widescreen 16: 9 - 1.78: 1
Audio: AC3 48000HZ 16BITS 2CH; 6ch; DTS 5.1

KISS bassist/chief provocateur/world-class swagmeister Gene Simmons once infamously claimed that his cartoon shock-rockers were more influential than Dylan, though the driving sentiment behind this double-disc DVD chronicle of the band's liaison with the Melbourne Symphony seems to paraphrase "Love Minus Zero": "There's no success like excess / and excess is the best success of all." The history of the fusion of rock bands and orchestras is a long and notoriously spotted one, though matters of decorum have seldom concerned--or deterred--KISS. Disc 1 outlines the genesis of the project, with an earnest and typically irony-free Simmons meeting with perpetually bemused conductor David Campbell to discuss mutual musical quandaries, like synchronizing explosions and whether the orchestra can get their KISS makeup on with due haste. Rehearsal and preparation footage display an unusually affable orchestra and band, a mood that carries over into its pyrotechnic-punctuated greatest hits set with the band (Tommy Thayer ably filling the platforms of the departed Ace Frehley). It all works surprisingly well, if at some pitched, Vegas-showroom-in-hell level of bombast. It's a technically impressive show and package, if one that feels distinctly padded as a double-disc (the performance of the "Symphony"'s Act III is repeated on both discs). Less is more? Not here.

Disc One
01. Overture
02. The Calm Before the Storm
03. Kiss Lands in Melbourne
04. Rehearsal I - Kiss Meets the MSO
05. Australia's Largest Stadium Set-Up
06. Rehearsal II - Getting in the Groove
07. National TV Interview
08. Kiss Fans Get Ready
09. Production Rehearsal
10. The MSO Gets into Makeup
11. Welcome to the Kiss Symphony
12. Detroit Rock City
13. King of the Night Time World
14. Do You Love Me
15. Shout it out Loud
16. God of Thunder
17. Love Gun
18. Black Diamond
19. Great Expectations
20. I Was Made for Lovin' You
21. Rock and Roll All Nite
22. Curtain Call
23. Members of the Cast

Disc Two
01. Deuce[4:23]
02. Strutter[3:50]
03. Let Me Go Rock & Roll[6:09]
04. Lick it Up[4:51]
05. Calling Dr Love[3:46]
06. Psycho Circus[5:31]
07. Beth[5:05]
08. Forever[4:34]
09. Goin' Blind[3:41]
10. Sure Know Something[5:44]
11. Shandi[3:45]
12. Detroit Rock City[4:44]
13. King of the Night Time World[3:52]
14. Do You Love Me[3:48]
15. Shout it Out Loud[3:20]
16. God of Thunder[8:34]
17. Love Gun[4:16]
18. Black Diamond[9:17]
19. Great Expectations[4:48]
20. I Was Made for Lovin' You[6:11]
21. Rock and Roll All Nite[7:04]
22. Curtain Call[2:18]
23. Members of the Cast[3:12]

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