I have just seen the "Kiss: Rock the Nation" DVD, and all I can say is, "Wow." Great performance; good 5.1 sound mix, great-looking filming and HD transfer, and good bonus features (although why they couldn't fit what is essentially a two-hour show onto one DVD is beyond me). But still, overall impressive. I must admit I was skeptical of the "Rock the Nation" tour for a number of reasons. Mainly, one: I had seen Kiss on the previous "Psycho-Circus" tour and was disappointed (especially after seeing the great reunion tour just a few years earlier), and two: I thought, "If Ace and Peter can't sound any better than that, what makes anyone think that a couple of scrubs could do any better?" So, I sat that tour out, saved my money, and stayed at home. When I heard reports of an "incredible" show, I thought to myself, "What a bunch of deluded fanboys. These must be those same people who go to all of those conventions and defend 'The Elder' as high art. These people are worse than deadheads."

But then, Aerosmith came to town with Kiss opening, and the opportunity to see my two favorite rock bands from the '70's touring together was too good to pass up. I have to say, I was impressed. Peter Criss was back behind the drum kit, but what surprised me the most was that I didn't miss Ace. I mean, when I saw close-ups of Tommy Thayer on the monitor screens, I could obviously tell it wasn't Ace, but that didn't bug me. It was a really good show. Still for the time between the show and the release of this DVD, I doubted my memories of the concert. Was it really that good, or was I just so pumped-up over the experience of seeing Kiss and Aerosmith together that I was overrating it? Now that I have this DVD, I know I was right. Not only that, but now I don't miss Peter, either. I have been a Kiss fan for 30 years, but I agree with the reviewer who compared a Kiss live show to a theater production, a la London or Broadway. The cast may change, but that just keeps the show fresh, if anything.

One additional comment, though; and this really bugs me: Stop treating Amazon.com as a forum / blog thread. This is a product review site. If you haven't seen the product, don't post. If you want to rant about the "new, fake Kiss," go to a genuine metal news / blog site like blabbermouth.com. Those guys would love you. They have turned Kiss-bashing into an art-form / pastime. But when you post a one-star review of a DVD you haven't seen because you disagree with it on general principal, it brings the overall rating of the DVD down artificially, which could turn-off potential Amazon customers / Kiss fans like myself, who might genuinely like the DVD on its own merits. (And I think it's interesting to note that the reviews posted by the people who have actually seen the DVD are overwhelmingly positive). As for me, this is going up on my shelf, right next to my "import" copy of Kiss - Love Gun: Houston, 1977.

Just watched the DVD last night. What a great production!!! The set list was awesome, though everybody will "wish they played...". Kiss could play for 5 hours and not cover everything we all want, but to hear 'Love Her All I Can' one of my faves, 'Parasite', 'Got To Choose', and an incredible remake of 'She' from Alive. Tommy Thayer made a lot of lifetime fans after that one! It was sad to see the lame front row crowd sitting down during the tunes that don't appear on every greatest hits record. If you're going to sit in the front few rows, you'd better know all the songs. Those seats should be reserved for true fans, not the 10th caller to the radio station. Kiss powervision allows the viewer to watch any of the 4 band members during 7 of the songs, this is cool if you want to just check out one or all at any point of the selected tune. This DVD has been in the works for 6 years. I can honestly say it was worth every day of that wait. Check out the sound check segment, you'll hear 'All the Way', 'The Oath', 'Two Timer', and 'Comin Home'.

The only flaw in this DVD is the 6 interruptions between songs. They stuck in some awesome behind the scenes stuff, but during the show? Those little 3 minute pieces were great, but they belonged after the concert in a bonus section. Oh, and Gene... please listen to 'I Love It Loud' on the plane to get the verses right! We love you man, I'd hate to see an OZZY teleprompter in front of you!!!

All in all, this is the DVD true KISS fans have waited for. Fabulous sound, production, and video quality. No orchestra in the background. Just sraight ahead rock, as only KISS knows how to !. Buy it...buy it...buy it...buy it.

KISS at their best even without two of the original guys. Right up there with San Fran 1975(in many ways superior to the S.F. show), Cobo Hall 1976, Anaheim 1976, Tokyo 1977, Sydney 1980, Rio 1983, Germany 1983, Cobo Hall 1985 and Michigan Palace 1990 & 1992.

I'll take this show over Roosevelt Stadium 1976, Madison Square Garden 1977, Houston Summit 1977, Largo 1979, Tiger Stadium 1996 and Vancouver 1999.

This concert is absolutely incredible! I saw KISS the first time in 1977 when AC/DC (with Bon Scott) was their back-up band, and I was skeptical about this concert DVD because Peter and Ace weren't there, but I was so blown away by Tommy and Eric!! This concert is worth far more than the price! I've watched it five times in the last three days!! It's so refreshing after watching these so-called "rock stars" today like Britney Spears and Chris Brown who are nothing but lip-syncing gymnastsl!! KISS are the best MUSICIANS ever!

I too, was kinda...ehhhhh when I found out that Ace & Peter were out and their greasepaint would be worn by replacements. Well, all I can say is ...TOMMY DA SPACEMAN AND ERIC DA CATBOY RAWK! This whole vid RAWKS! Gene seemed to really be in top form (gross and disgusting as usual! You go Gene!)that night...he boogies like a Demon(did I really say that?) on da BASS! Paul is a SLUT! (hehehe)

Paul maintained his usual, relentless 2nd guitar drive. Vocally, Paul's unmistakable, operatic voice has never been better! WHEN THE HELL IS THIS (and Symphony) GONNA BE RE-RELEASED ON BLU-RAY??? I want KISS IN BLU-RAY DAMMIT!

If you think that KISS sucks...then YOU suck. You're probably some bitter, uptight prick with a broomstick up your butt.

If you think that Tommy Thayer sucks....you're no KISS fan..you're probably..well..see above.

Tommy haters SUCK!

Use the KISS-Vision feature and check out Eric Singer on some of the songs...He's so animated!! (he's also a muthah on da drumz).

I saw KISS last year on the Sonic Boom tour. IT RAWKED! You got 2 guys over 60 (Paul's 60 in January 2011), one 53 (Eric will be 53 this year) and one 50 (Tommy). As it says on the box..(or is it in the little booklet)...I'll paraphrase...the addition of Tommy Thayer and Eric singer has clearly infused the band with a blistering new level of theatricality and musicality...KISS is truly re-born!

ALL other bands..ALL OF THEM..pale in comparison...Stones? blah...Beatles? blah...Zep? blah,,phhlltttt. U2? double-phhllltttt..