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KISS: Animalized Live and Uncensored

KISS: Animalized Live and Uncensored

List Price: $24.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Heavy on the new stuff
Review: After seeing this dvd for the first time I was surprised at how heavy the concert was on 80's era songs. Not that that's necessarily bad. The newer Kiss songs were taken soley from Lick It Up, Creatures of the Night, and Animalize. There are only 6 makeup era songs on the set. Only 5 are from the Criss/Frehley era. "Detroit Rock City",Cold Gin","Love Gun","Black Diamond", and "Rock And Roll All Nite." I was shocked that songs like "Deuce",and "Calling Dr. Love" were not included. Some of these songs sounded rushed through. Kiss, during this period, were clearly more comfortable playing the 80's stuff. Average as concerts go. Except for Gene breathing fire, there are no visual highlights to speak of.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Real Title - ANIMALIZE: LIVE AND UNCENSORED
Review: An extremely rare DVD, If you find it, then you'd better get it. Especially if you're a fan of the non-makeup era, or just a heavy metal 80's fan, this DVD is well worth it!!! This is a classic example of the high energy (HYPER) 80's concerts that KISS was famous for, minus the make-up!!! The set list consists of songs like Detroit Rock City, Cold Gin, Creatures Of The Night, Heaven's On Fire, Thrills in The Night, Young and Wasted (With Eric on vocals), I love It Loud, Love Gun, Black Diamond, RNRAN and many more! Paul, Gene and Eric all have killer solo bits too!
Down Sides: Vocals on some songs seem to be a bit low and drowned out by the instruments; you'll notice this on Young And Wasted and Lick It Up. This was obviously the technology at the time... I doubt that re-mastering was the problem in this day and age, but then again I could be wrong.

I doubt that this DVD's being re-released, (it seems that KISS never re-release any cool DVD's eg: KISS:Unplugged) but I could be wrong. Starring Gene, Paul, Bruce Kulick (In one of his first KISS shows) and Eric Carr who is (was) as always - kicking major ... behind the drums!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Show rocks
Review: First of all, don't listen to the loser who is reviewing from his GARAGE from FLORIDA. A reviewer from Florida in a Garage with greasy overalls and named 'BUBBA' is not a fan, thats scary. He just wants to be cool. KISS were thriving at this time and kicking butt doing it.They were on the road promoting the PLATIMUM selling album "Animalize". Two original members are gone at this point and Bruce Kulick (The one "GOOBER" criticized) had not been in the band a week and he was adjusting to being in KISS. For the time recorded and the point KISS were in KISSTORY the DVD is a must in your library, as a real KISS fan and not a mechanic, I bought the video in 1985 when released and I still watch it every now and then and get off everytime. Klassic without makeup KISS!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: High Energy Unmasked
Review: First off, a correction. A review below that overall pans the show incorrectly states Rock And Roll All Night does not appear on this DVD. It does indeed as the last song of the evening and has appeared in every version of this video, including the original MTV edit.

This performance takes place in 1984...making seeing this show even more of a gem now that 19 years have since passed. The original VHS release of this concert was a best seller for months, staying at the top of the music video charts. This DVD is an official release out of South America and can be found in stores such as Tower Records and even Best Buy.

Animalize Live Uncensored takes a snapshot of the band. At this point the band was still running on...releasing albums and touring and breaking new ground, unlike today's nostalgia act version which only reaches into the past. Heaven's On Fire was a brand new MTV hit. Bruce Kulick had just been asked to officially join the band at the time of this show. Eric Carr was alive and well. Gene Simmons had been trying his hand at acting, so yes he is wearing an unflattering wig to hide his shorn locks (cut for the movie Runaway.) The costumes are very much mid 80s, spandex and animal skins in keeping with the album's concept.

The concert begins with a blistering performance of Detroit Rock City. The sight of Paul, Bruce and Gene all standing on the platform above the drum riser with the KISS sign BLAZING behind them, arms in a smooth in-sync windmill motion, to the opening chords of the song to this day still gives me chills. Then watching all three bolt down the stairs to the stage. A rarely mentioned classic moment in KISS concert history.

The songs are performed faster in this period than one may be used to..which can throw you off...but also give the chance to experience the songs another way. One can only hear Cold Gin done the same way over and over for so many years. Keep in mind that the songs are performed in this way purposefully and are not a result of drummer Eric Carr playing too fast, unable to play them at their "proper" meter as some have speculated.

The show is relatively short on theatrics for a KISS show. At this point in their career they had turned the focus to the music. Make no mistake...the band has proved many times over they can perform on a bare stage and still out do their peers. The energy level of this show is very high throughout for the most part.

Regarding the solo's: Neither Gene's or Paul's solos are done with any intent of giving out the illusion of being virtuosos on their instrument. Paul's tapping routine was purely done as a visual gimmick that build's up to an audience participation thing. Gene's bass playing is done with Eric drumming along...it's actually a cover of a song from someone else, but the name escapes me at the moment. Eric's solo is a highlight and quite catchy. I've found myself pounding it out on more than one occasion. The solo builds up to Young and Wasted, which is sung by Eric instead of Gene.

This show is definately worth buying if you want to get a glimpse of KISS from this era. This concert video was the only official release until 2003's Alive IV: KISS Symphony.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: High Energy Unmasked
Review: First off, a correction. A review below that overall pans the show incorrectly states Rock And Roll All Night does not appear on this DVD. It does indeed as the last song of the evening and has appeared in every version of this video, including the original MTV edit.

This performance takes place in 1984...making seeing this show even more of a gem now that 19 years have since passed. The original VHS release of this concert was a best seller for months, staying at the top of the music video charts. This DVD is an official release out of South America and can be found in stores such as Tower Records and even Best Buy.

Animalize Live Uncensored takes a snapshot of the band. At this point the band was still running on...releasing albums and touring and breaking new ground, unlike today's nostalgia act version which only reaches into the past. Heaven's On Fire was a brand new MTV hit. Bruce Kulick had just been asked to officially join the band at the time of this show. Eric Carr was alive and well. Gene Simmons had been trying his hand at acting, so yes he is wearing an unflattering wig to hide his shorn locks (cut for the movie Runaway.) The costumes are very much mid 80s, spandex and animal skins in keeping with the album's concept.

The concert begins with a blistering performance of Detroit Rock City. The sight of Paul, Bruce and Gene all standing on the platform above the drum riser with the KISS sign BLAZING behind them, arms in a smooth in-sync windmill motion, to the opening chords of the song to this day still gives me chills. Then watching all three bolt down the stairs to the stage. A rarely mentioned classic moment in KISS concert history.

The songs are performed faster in this period than one may be used to..which can throw you off...but also give the chance to experience the songs another way. One can only hear Cold Gin done the same way over and over for so many years. Keep in mind that the songs are performed in this way purposefully and are not a result of drummer Eric Carr playing too fast, unable to play them at their "proper" meter as some have speculated.

The show is relatively short on theatrics for a KISS show. At this point in their career they had turned the focus to the music. Make no mistake...the band has proved many times over they can perform on a bare stage and still out do their peers. The energy level of this show is very high throughout for the most part.

Regarding the solo's: Neither Gene's or Paul's solos are done with any intent of giving out the illusion of being virtuosos on their instrument. Paul's tapping routine was purely done as a visual gimmick that build's up to an audience participation thing. Gene's bass playing is done with Eric drumming along...it's actually a cover of a song from someone else, but the name escapes me at the moment. Eric's solo is a highlight and quite catchy. I've found myself pounding it out on more than one occasion. The solo builds up to Young and Wasted, which is sung by Eric instead of Gene.

This show is definately worth buying if you want to get a glimpse of KISS from this era. This concert video was the only official release until 2003's Alive IV: KISS Symphony.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: EXCELENT CONCERT ! ! ! !
Review: I own the DVD edition and I should say: Great concert.
Some of you might know this DVD is ultra-rare, so if you are a KISS DIE-HARD fan, you purchase this item, no matter if it is on VHS or on DVD. Plus, not only this item is ultra-rare, this is one of the best KISS concerts I've ever seen!!! Some of the people who have already purchased this one might have noticed it is very fast-paced. But not to worry, fot the songs are great:

1.- "Introduction".- Nothin' special about this one. Only KISS coming up to the stage.

2.- "Detroit Rock City".- This is a KISS classic. Very fast-paced, as I mentioned before.- 10/10.

3.- "Cold Gin".- I love this one. For me, a classic.- 10/10.

4.- "Creatures Of The Night".- This one is EXTREMELY FAST-PACED. I don't like this version too much. Although a very great song.- 8/10.

5.- "Fits Like A Glove".- This version is the very first one I've heard live. This one is one of my favorite KISS songs from the 80's from the album: LICK IT UP.- 10/10.

6.- "Heaven's On Fire".- I've heard many versions of this one, but I think this one is the second best (following the version from the "ALIVE! III" album).- 10/10.

7.- "Thrills In The Night".- O.K. this version was the first I heard too. I love it.- 9/10.

8.- "Guitar Solo".- This guitar solo is from Paul. This is the first guitar solo I've heard from the STARCHILD. One of the best too.- 10/10.

9.- "Under The Gun".- I like this song. I think this one is one of the best from KISS.- 10/10.

10.- "War Machine".- One of my favorite songs EVER. At the end of this song, Gene spits fire. Cool.- 10/10.

11.-"Drums Solo".- A mind-blowing drums solo from Eric Carr (rest in peace).- 10/10.

12.- "Young And Wasted".- In my opinion, the darkest KISS song EVER. And I love it.- 10/10.

13.- "Bass Guitar Solo".- Gene's bass guitar solo sound alot like the begining of "Moby Dick", the song from Led Zeppelin. And I like this bass solo.- 10/10.

14.- "I Love It Loud".- One of the best songs EVER. And in one of it's best versions EVER.- 10/10.

15.- "I Still Love You".- Even another song taken from "Creatures". The third best live version of this song (the best is from the "UNPLUGGED" and from the "ALIVE! III).- 10/10.

16.- "Love Gun".- One of the best songs EVER and a classic from KISS in the 70's. And at one of it's best versions.- 10/10.

17.- "Lick It Up".- Another KISS classic and one of the best songs there is. Great version.- 10/10.

18.- "Black Diamond".- Always a great song and a great version of this one.- 10/10.

19.- "Rock And Roll All Nite".- Another KISS classic and one of the best songs EVER. Always a great outro for any concert.- 10/10.



See. You should buy this concert on tape or on video-disc, it doesn't matter, It is completely the same to me (the image, angles, sound, etc.). The only difference is that you cannot select a song on the VHS tape. I bet you all know that.


KISS RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!


Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Concert! Eric Carr ROCKS!
Review: I remember seeing this concert on MTV with an ex-girlfriend who was only slightly impressed with the band. I remember being blown away, since I was more of an 80's era KISS fan, although I loved the 70's stuff. KISS to me, at that time, was Paul, Gene, Eric and Vinnie. This DVD, an import from Brazil, brought back all the great memories of watching it for the first time. Although the bass and drums sound thin by today's standards, it is a good documention of that tour, which I saw in San Antonio, Texas. The sound and picture quality is very good, probably more of a reflection of the quality of recordings of that time and definitely worth the money. Paul looks comfortable in that era, Gene looks a littly silly and lost, Eric is right at home, but Bruce does not look like he quite fit in at that time. However, Bruce really proved how hard he rocks in the Revenge and Carnival of Souls era and turns out that he is my favorite KISS guitarist, even surpassing Vinnie and Ace. In short, buy the DVD. Even if you don't like it, it will give a good snapshot of what the band was doing at time, just prior to Ace's solo career and God knows what Peter was doing at that time.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Concert! Eric Carr ROCKS!
Review: I remember seeing this concert on MTV with an ex-girlfriend who was only slightly impressed with the band. I remember being blown away, since I was more of an 80's era KISS fan, although I loved the 70's stuff. KISS to me, at that time, was Paul, Gene, Eric and Vinnie. This DVD, an import from Brazil, brought back all the great memories of watching it for the first time. Although the bass and drums sound thin by today's standards, it is a good documention of that tour, which I saw in San Antonio, Texas. The sound and picture quality is very good, probably more of a reflection of the quality of recordings of that time and definitely worth the money. Paul looks comfortable in that era, Gene looks a littly silly and lost, Eric is right at home, but Bruce does not look like he quite fit in at that time. However, Bruce really proved how hard he rocks in the Revenge and Carnival of Souls era and turns out that he is my favorite KISS guitarist, even surpassing Vinnie and Ace. In short, buy the DVD. Even if you don't like it, it will give a good snapshot of what the band was doing at time, just prior to Ace's solo career and God knows what Peter was doing at that time.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Unmasked and Alive!
Review: I saw this at the impressionable age of 10 and to this day, I have never seen KISS so quick on their feet and truly Alive!

It seems like people view 80s rock in the way you remember a bad girlfriend you had in high school. Aside from Gene's obvious wig and the 80s animal print outfits, KISS was simply absolutely amazing on this video.

Without the 7 inch platforms, the band speed to and from all over the stage in a way just not possible with the original image. For me, the kream of the krop is seeeing Eric Car (R.I.P.) do a truly amazing drum solo before ripping into Gene's Young & Wasted.

From beginning to end it's non stop rock and roll and hearing Paul's voice on I Still Love You still makes the spine tingle. He sings as if he truly still missed an old flame as he belts it out. As I said I saw this at 10 and had no idea just how raunchy his onstage rants were until I was older. His trip to the doctor's office with his Love Gun is as classic as the song itself. Funny as hell!

This is truly a great view of a band that laid the groundwork for the bands that surpassed them in the 80s, but if you wanna hear fast and then-updated versions of Cold Gin & Black Diamond - be sure to get this. It's not the Kiss you're used to but they don't stop rock and rolling all nite on this great concert video.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: You might have to hunt through the import bins
Review: My copy is an import from South America, and it is subtitled in Portuguese (the banter with the crowd, not the singing). Turns out this video didn't hold up as well over time as I'd hoped, but you can chalk that up to the outrageous mid 80's clothing and hairstyles.

Still, this is a VERY hard to find disc - and KISS fans will want to add this to their collection if possible, right? The set list is decent yet unremarkable, but at least we get "Cold Gin" live, which is my favorite part.

Hard to believe it has been 20 years since they first took off the make-up. Oh god, am I getting old!


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