The theme for KISS Kruise 5 was a celebration of the album that broke the band 40 year ago, “Alive.” Both indoor shows include the recreation of the stage along with outfits and instruments used during 1975. Along with the recreation, the band also performed the “Alive” album in it’s entirety and in sequential order. This was different than the “Alive 35” set that was offered in 2009 when only a handful of choice cuts were played on tour and not the entire album.
Most rock fans are familiar with the “Alive” album and the band really tried to stay true to the original recordings. Additionally, many would want to know if drummer Eric Singer duplicated the drum solo that original drummer Peter Criss created. Yes and no would be my answer. Yes, the flavor and vibe were there, but it wasn’t nearly as lengthy and it didn’t include KISS’ rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley’s famous stage banter. In fact, Stanley didn’t provide much in the way of banter, instead he said few words, as he and the band let the music do the talking. However, I must say out of 5 Kruise’s I’ve attended, this was the most physically animated I have seen Stanley perform. He worked every inch of the stage and was very interactive with the fans. He was letting fans take picks off his guitar to actually getting down and sitting on the end of the stage while he played to them at one point. There was no barrier, so it was him up close and personal with the fans, the way it should be. Stanley also used a flying V to mimic what he played back in 1975.
Bassist Gene Simmons played a Gibson Grabber which was created by Jim Cara (Kulture Guitars), who did a magnificent job with the specifications as I got to see it up close. Simmons moved around a bunch and really gave the Grabber a nice workout.
As you may or may not know, there was no blood or fire breathing. These shows on the boat are very intimate and the band focuses more on the music and less on theatrics. They consistently prove how much of a tight band KISS really is, and that includes (now longtime member) Tommy Thayer on guitar.
After the band played the 16-song “Alive” set, they came out to do a brief encore that included “I Stole Your Love” and “Ladies Room,” two great selections that are gems for the rabid KISS fan.
The only complaint I had was that this great set went entirely too fast, only about an hour and 15 minutes and the night was over. I wish a few more songs were added to keep the night going, but it wasn’t to be. Nevertheless, KISS sounded great and like everyone else, we wanted it to go on forever. It was announced that there will be a 6th installment of the KISS Kruise. No one knows what the theme will be. I for one will be curious to see what rabbit KISS will pull out of its hat for 2016!
Setlist:
Deuce
Strutter
Got to Choose
Hotter Than Hell
Firehouse
Nothin’ to Lose
C’mon and Love Me
Parasite
She
Watchin’ You
100,000 Years
Black Diamond
Rock Bottom
Cold Gin
Rock and Roll All Nite
Let Me Go, Rock ‘N’ Roll
Encore:
I Stole Your Love
Ladies Room
