The 5th installment of the KISS Kruise set sail on October 30th with something very different in store for this year. Fans were eager for something more diverse from the annual sail away shows that KISS does for their fans. This year KISS decided to do an electric show without full makeup. This hasn’t been done since KISS decided to put makeup back on back in 1996. Generally this performance is done acoustically, but to keep with the KISS Kruise theme, they changed it up to keep it fresh for the die hards. If you’re a KISS fan, the Kruise is all about the band catering to the more “fanatical” fans, if you will. It allows them to open up the catalog and expand a little.
Speaking of expanding, the guys also did a great job on song selection as they pulled out and dusted off some songs that haven’t been played in years. They opened up the set with “Flaming Youth” off of their most respected releases ever in “Destroyer.” The 19 song set also included such rarities as “Ladies Room” (first time played live since 1978),” Strange Ways” (first time played live since 1975), and “Mr. Speed” which was the first time it was ever attempted electrically by the band. When they came out for the encore fans were chanting “All Hell’s Breaking Loose,” and rhythm guitar player and founding member of KISS, Paul Stanley, attempted to start the song by rapping the first verse with the fans jumping in singing the chorus. Unfortunately, the song stopped as the band didn’t remember how it went. It was a great teaser and at least the fans got a snippet of the song.
As they cranked out the tunes the band made sure they played to all the people on the ship’s deck including to the sides and to the people behind them. Bassist and other founding member Gene Simmons was in fine form vocally, sounding terrific on “A World Without Heroes.” This song is one of the finest ones he has ever written, in my opinion. I wish this would find its way into the set list on more of a consistent basis.
Something that hasn’t happened yet on any sail away show is guitarist Tommy Thayer taking vocals. However, Tommy did so on “Shock Me.” Bandmate and drummer Eric Singer also took lead vocals on “Mainline” and “Strange Ways.” Other highlights of the set were “Plaster Caster,” “Take Me,” and “All the Way.”
Minus the KISS conventions in the mid 1990’s, a few songs were played for the for the first time in a very long time, or ever, and that’s the highlight for most people that attend these KISS Kruises. They love when the band plays more obscure songs and rarities that they almost never play live. This set list was well executed and I only wish they were able to throw in a few more.
Setlist:
Flaming Youth
I Stole Your Love
Ladies Room
Coming Home
Plaster Caster
Mainline
Take Me
A World Without Heroes
Shock Me
Lover Her All I Can
Strange Ways
Mr. Speed
Goin’ Blind
All the Way
Christine 16
Encore:
Makin’ Love
All Hell’s Breaking Loose (snippet)
Hide Your Heart
Shout it Out Loud
