Alive IV (April's Fool)

Alive IV has become a bad joke for us (Kiss die-hard fans) as this album has been delayed since a century now - it was supposed to be released in 1999. When I received the promo, I couldn't believe it ... and I was almost crying when I read the enclosed flyer : "You are amongst the 50 reviewers on this planet to listen exclusively to Alive IV" - the flyer is signed by Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons !!! The kind of gift you hardly believe :) .... but the kind of gift you are very proud of. And here we go : "You want the best, you got the best, the hottest band in the world, KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISS !!!!!" Let's get straight to the point : this live is two thousand times better than Rock In Rio (Iron Maiden) as Alive IV has been recorded last year at the Super Bowl - just before the game of course - with an unbelievable crowd who sings from the first note 'til the last second. Alive IV starts with War Machine ... and I can hardly believe Peter Chris is the real guy behind the drums as Mike Terrana hits like a little mouse compare to this drummer. I am wondering if the drummer is not ... Eric Singer ???. Anyway, the perfect song to start a live :). Just after War Machine and the classical Detroit Rock City, here comes the first surprise : Fits Like A Glove !!! Paul Stanley announces the first guest on the microphone : "Here comes Vinnie Vincent on the guitar !!!!". The stadium explodes on that song and I am wondering how it is possible that Gene and Vinnie play on the same stage. Life can be so unpredictable :) Three guitars on stage, but there is no possible comparison with Ace ... as Vinnie "explodes" everything on his solo. Who said regrets ? The second guest is announced this time by Gene Simmons : Mark St.John !!! The "ghost guitarist" of Kiss has been invited too and he plays perfectly on Heaven's On Fire. Whoooaaaawwww ! The best is about to hit the stadium - and I was waiting for this moment my whole life : Paul Stanley sings God Of Thunder. Gene Simmons has finally allowed the original writer to sing the song. I Was Made For Loving You sees the crowd becoming totally crazy, like it was the case for Love Gun and Lick It Up. This triple live album is full of Kiss classics : Deuce, Shout It Out Loud, Creatures Of The Night, I Love It Loud, Beth, Stutter, Black Diamond, New York Groove, Hard Luck Woman, Sure Know Something, Do You Love Me, Shock Me, Calling Dr. Love, Unholy, Domino, Hide Your Heart, Psycho Circus, Tears Are Falling, Talk To Me, Shandy, The Oath, Crazy Crazy Nights, ..... And I though Alive In Athens (Iced Earth) was the best ever live-album. Well, that was the case 'til the 25th March of this year - the day I received Alive IV. The booklet is unbelievable too, but you have to see it by your own. Alive IV ends with two famous classic : God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You with a world guest-star : Jon Bon Jovi !!! Wonderful duet with Paul. The other classic is of course Rock And Roll All Nite .... which sees mega-star Alice Cooper singing all the lyrics. Enormous end :)) What a shame Bruce Kulick was sick that day ! Just for your info, the limited edition has three bonus video tracks : War Machine, I Love It Loud & Rock And Roll All Nite ... so jump on it. After almost 30 years, Kiss says good-bye to the scene with this bombastic live (this is why we gave a quote for the first time to a live album). What a Salute to their die-hard fans ! Another legend is leaving the stage ... but the souvenir will stay forever because I WAS MADE FOR LOVING KISS.