Description

Double cd in digipak cover. Limited 100 copies

Kiss’following in the United States had declined drastically by the time Unmasked arrived in 1980. Looking back, it’s shocking to think that just two years earlier Kiss looked like an unstoppable juggernaut that would be raking in massive crowds (and dollars) forever. But Unmasked – like its predecessor, 1979’s Dynasty – was a more polished and poppier record than the gritty rock n roll foundation on which the band had built its reputation. The cultural winds were also shifting in the wake of punk and disco. Nevertheless, the demand for Kiss remained brisk, even rabid, in other parts of the world – most notably Australia, where the band kicked off their four-night debut on Nov. 8, 1980 at the since-demolished Perth Entertainment Centre. Kiss sparked a protest consisting of just one person, according to local news reports. Overall, however, collective anticipation for Kiss’ first Down Under shows was high, fueled in part by the Australian success of the sugary-pop ballad “Shandi” from Unmasked. Numerous clips from the period underscore how media from throughout the country began to buzz well before the band’s visit. This album captures the band at Adelaide Oval on the 18th of November 1980 and the enthusiasm of the crowds made it possible for Kiss to put on a brave face and bask in the sea of cheers they were met with, but the armor were starting to crack in earnest by this point. Things would only get worse. They had already dropped Peter Criss and would soon see Frehley leaving the sinking ship as well. The following album The Elder would be an even bigger disaster than Unmasked. But the 20,000 fans, at this sold out show, couldn’t detect any of these simmering troubles through the din of fireworks, power chords and screams of excitement. One local review said: After months of expectation, Kiss was on-stage at Adelaide Oval, despite early fears the concert might be cancelled due to the weather… Most of what we had been promised came true… The music was a well-rehearsed, if sometimes scratchy, soundtrack for the Kiss special-effects show… Given the trying conditions, it was a commendable effort. Looking back in history the 1980 tour of Australia and New Zealand marked a high point that, in retrospect, seems strangely contradictory to the troubled waters the band found itself in at the dawn of the new decade.

Track list:
1. Detroit Rock City
2. Cold Gin
3. Strutter
4. Shandi
5. Calling Dr. Love
6. Firehouse
7. Talk To Me
8. Is That You?
9. 2,000 Man
10. Guitar Solo – Ace Frehley
11. I Was Made For Lovin You
12. New York Groove
13. Love Gun
14. Bass Solo – Gene Simmons
15. God Of Thunder
16. Drum Solo – Eric Carr
17. Rock And Roll All Nite
18. Shout It Out Loud
19. King Of The Night Time World
20. Black Diamond
21. News Report From The Show