KISS – Sydney 1980 Pre-FM Master [2-CD Zodiac Japan] (2023)

Here we have in exclusive another great release by really good Japanese bootleg label Zodiac – KISS, live, “Sydney 1980 Pre-FM Master“, a numbered limited 2-CD capturing the legendary band at the Sydney Showground, Australia, 22nd November 1980. The concert, part of the ”Unmasked Tour”, featured the debut of Eric Carr.

The sound quality is very good for a bootleg, this show was professionally recorded & filmed for broadcast. This Zodiac release is great as includes the full show unedited, but also the edited and condensed version used for broadcast on TV and radio.
So we have the raw, Pre-FM Master soundboard recording of the full show, the band is on fire, with hot performances of all classics – and the edited version, post-produced, polished.
For the broadcast version, they overdubbed vocals over the live tracks. But if you think this is a bad thing to do, the results are awesome. Paul vocals were recorded during the soundcheck, and mixed with the actual 22nd November vocal performance. Darn, this should be the best live version of ‘Detroit Rock City’ I ever heard!

This show was scheduled for release as an unofficial DVD, as “Live at the Sydney Showground,” in June 2003, featuring the concert, backstage and TV footage. It was ultimately pulled from distribution.
Finally The Showground DVD concert was officially released on “KISSology, Volume 2” after circulating in collector’s circles for decades (though it is missing Gene’s bass solo and the start of “God of Thunder”).
Here’s the full show, never released on audio format.

If you have KISS live in Sydney 1980 – any other bootleg – you better check out this Zodiac “Sydney 1980 Pre-FM Master”, as sound quality is the best you can find out there.
One of our favorite KISS live shows ever.
HIGHLY Recommended

CD 1: Live at Sydney Showground, Australia, 22nd November 1980
01 – Intro
02 – Detroit Rock City
03 – Cold Gin
04 – Strutter
05 – Shandi
06 – Calling Dr. Love
07 – Firehouse
08 – Talk To Me
09 – Is That You?
10 – 2000 Man
11 – Guitar Solo
12 – I Was Made For Lovin’ You
13 – New York Groove
14 – Love Gun
15 – Bass Solo
16 – God Of Thunder
17 – Drum Solo
18 – God Of Thunder (Reprise)

CD 2:
01 – Rock And Roll All Nite
02 – Shout It Out Loud
03 – King Of The Night Time World
04 – Guitar Solo
05 – Black Diamond
2SM FM Broadcast:
06 – Detroit Rock City [2SM FM Broadcast]
07 – Shandi [2SM FM Broadcast]
08 – Calling Dr. Love [2SM FM Broadcast]
09 – Talk To Me [2SM FM Broadcast]
10 – Is That You? [2SM FM Broadcast]
11 – I Was Made For Lovin’ You [2SM FM Broadcast]
12 – New York Groove [2SM FM Broadcast]
13 – Rock And Roll All Nite [2SM FM Broadcast]
14 – Black Diamond [2SM FM Broadcast]
Bonus Tracks:
15 – Talk To Me (Blockbuster Bonus CD Exclusive)
16 – New York Groove (YWTB Japan Only Track)

Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals
Eric Carr – drums, vocals

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