Review of Kiss: Symphony - The DVD

Introduction

Hold on, this can`t be right, can it? "KISS Symphony"? KISS and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra?!

Well, it is true, this 2-disc DVD set combines the talents of veteran rock band KISS (Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Tommy Thayer) with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (conducted by David Campbell).

In the past, rock bands such as Deep Purple, Yes and Metallica have attempted to produce live shows with symphony orchestras, but with varied success. Upon receiving KISS Symphony, this reviewer was sceptical in the extreme, wondering how KISS`s glam brand of American rock could possibly fuse with an orchestra more used to playing Beethoven, Strauss, or Mozart.

Recorded on the 28th February 2003 at the Telstra Stadium in Melbourne, Australia this performance was part of the band`s 30th anniversary celebrations. Divided into three acts, firstly we have KISS playing as they would at a regular concert, then acoustically with a down-sized orchestra, and finally - in what vocalist Paul Stanley calls a "balls to the wall" extravaganza - back in full electric mode with a sixty piece orchestra.

Video

Video is presented in 16:9 anamorphic PAL but, because of the varying video sources used, the aspect ratios vary too.

In the documentary feature on Disc 1, which is coupled with Act Three (KISS and the orchestra together), video quality is extremely average, although it is apparent that this has been done to preserve the behind-the-scenes feel of the documentary. That said, the footage of KISS arriving at the Australian airport, to be greeted by many of their fans, looks like it has been recorded on a high-end mobile phone, such is the poor quality!

However, I am very glad to say that the actual concert footage (all three acts) has been captured beautifully, with a wonderfully sharp picture, so sharp in fact that I wonder if this was actually recorded in PAL rather than NTSC. The quality of footage stoops tremendously on the shots of the orchestra - who, hilariously, are all wearing KISS make-up! - but since the director makes very quick cuts from camera to camera, this isn`t a major issue.

Audio

As with all music DVDs, the audio is the main consideration, and you have a choice of three options here: Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. Why Sanctuary Midline - who produced the DVD - have bothered with both a DD 2.0 and a 5.1 mix is beyond me, especially when the stereo mix is so lifeless in comparison to the surround mix.

The DTS track is average to say the least, and DTS fans will be disappointed that more effort seems to have gone into the DD 5.1 track, than the DTS.

In this instance, the DD 5.1 track is certainly the best of the three. Good atmosphere is created from the rear speakers, where the crowd noise dominates. The subwoofer is well-used, even if Gene Simmons` playing is hardly out of this world. And thankfully, a nice balance is struck between the band and the orchestra, meaning that your ear can concentrate on one or the other, should you so choose.

Features

There are limited extras on this 2-disc set, which can be excused given the fact that there is a good documentary piece included as on Disc 1.

There is a performance of "Sure Know Something", done acoustically with a small orchestra section, as well as an interview taken from the Australian TV show "Rove Live". Aside from a couple of weblinks and the DVD credits, that`s yet lot!

Conclusion

Any band that brands themselves as "The Hottest Band in the World", had better be able to live up to it. Upon receiving this DVD, not only did I not think that KISS were "The Hottest Band in the World", but I thought that the idea of KISS`s music backed up by an orchestra was just ludicrous.

Don`t ask me why, but somehow the combination works.

The DVD set starts off with a short documentary which talks about the initial thought of bringing the band together with the orchestra, all the way through to the beginning of the show. This is interesting in its behind-the-scenes feel, and is nice to see together with Act Three, which is repeated along with Acts One and Two on Disc 2.

The entire concert then, is shown on Disc 2. Act One, which is KISS playing a six song set by themselves, is not particularly exciting, unless you are a KISS fan. The acoustic Act Two, with a scaled-down orchestra, is much better, with particularly good renditions of "Sure Know Something" and "Beth".

But as I mentioned, it is Act Three that is the major surprise. In particular, "Detroit Rock City", "Shout It Out Loud", and "I Was Made For Loving You" work very well indeed, with the orchestra adding some nice fills and counter-melodies over the rock sensibilities of the band.

I can admit to being very surprised by this DVD, especially when I was told by a KISS fanatic that the DVD is "okay" only. If you are a fan of KISS, this is an absolute must-have, to hear so many of their songs performed as you have never heard them before. To anyone who is curious, do not dismiss this DVD as yet another musically-meaningless addition to KISS`s already hefty catalogue.