Tuesday, August 26-Concert

      The familiar words ring out, " You wanted the best, You got the best! The hottest band in the world, KISS!" The lights flash, and the opening chords ring out, while the cymbals crash. This is The Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas. The opening song, the title track from their 1996 Album Psycho Circus, Brings screams from a crowd of rabid fans. After sitting towards the back, on the grassy hill behind the pavilion for the co-headliner, Def Leppard, I walk towards the front, getting as close as I possibly can. Everyone sings along with those words that perfectly depict the feel of a KISS concert, " You're in the Psyyyy, You're in the Psycho Circus!"
       The set continues on, before God of Thunder, Gene Simmons spews blood everywhere and blows fire out from his gaping maw. Paul Stanley rides a zip-line to a platform in the middle of the crowd, begins to sing Love Gun, and struts like he has for 40 years. Each song gets louder and more energized as the night continues. The crowd becomes like a hive-mind. Our throats are soar from singing and screaming. Our heads and shoulders ache from thrashing them around in time with the music. Our faces shine with spittle and reflected stage lights.
      The final song, Black Diamond, brings the whole night to a perfect close with its intense, fast-paced instrumental ending, and everyone goes insane. The night as a whole was satisfactory, and as the crowd disperses, individuality returns. However, this will be a night and a sensation never forgotten by the legions of fans, and I'd like to think, the band itself.