Kiss Alive III CD

Kiss: Paul Stanley (vocals, guitar); Gene Simmons (vocals, bass);
Eric Singer (vocals, drums); Bruce Kulick (guitar).
Additional personnel: Derek Sherinian (keyboards).
Recorded live in Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana during Kiss' 1992 "Revenge Tour."
Though it was recorded on the tour following the band's strongest album in a decade (Revenge), Alive III in no way measures up to its legendary live predecessors. In fact, only hardcore Kiss fanatics will need to hear updated versions of "Detroit Rock City," "Deuce," and "Rock and Roll All Nite," or throwaway renditions of rare '80s highlights such as "Lick It Up" and "Heaven's on Fire." An excellent version of the band's disco hit "I Was Made for Lovin' You" aside, the few highlights include "Domino," "I Still Love You," and "I Love It Loud." Ironically, this album did mark the end of an era for Kiss, which resurrected its classic lineup and makeup for a hugely successful tour soon after. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia
Kiss' third live album was the weakest of the bunch, due to overly slick performances which tend to sound identical to the original studio versions and add no new dimensions to the songs. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
If ALIVE III doesn't quite contain the overall quality of material that ALIVE! or ALIVE II did, it nonetheless offers its share of gems. Out of the later (post-makeup) Kiss songs, "Lick it Up" and "Heaven's on Fire" seem to hold up best when thrown in the company of "Detroit Rock City" and "Deuce."
Luckily the duds are few, made up for by an inspired reworking of the "Star Spangled Banner" (which should make any self-respecting head-banger place his hand over his heart while continuing to bang his head) and the somewhat radical reworking of the old Argent chestnut "God Gave Rock and Roll to You." Seemingly inspired by these covers and the energy surge that must come from playing in Detroit (The "Rock City" where much of the album was recorded), Gene and Paul put on a show more than worthy of the Kiss name and legacy. ALIVE IV anyone?Entertainment Weekly (5/21/93, p.48) - "...Tighter and tougher than ALIVE II, if not the landmark ALIVE!..." - Rating: B
Q (6/93, p.100) - 3 Stars - Good - "...'Deuce,' vintage Kiss, rendered here with rampant punch, still sounds awesome, despite Gene Simmons's now mellowed manly holler....canny power pop given a merciless headbanging..."
Musician (7/93, p.90) - "...even if Kiss hasn't maintained its mid-'70s chart presence, their material remains as crunchy and melodic as ever....this third time is a charmer..."