Alice Cooper is getting his head chopped off again -- which is good news for all concerned.

After touring the past couple of years with a more stripped-down show that served to establish the brawn of his band and the sturdiness of his 36 years worth of recordings, the shock rock pioneer has incorporated more theatrics to support his latest album, "Dirty Diamonds." And while it's not an all-out extravaganza like the famed 1975 "Welcome to My Nightmare" show, the 95-minute set packs more visual punch to go with his still-powerful musical presentation.

It helps that "Dirty Diamonds" is one of the best of Cooper's recent albums, a taut, rocking collection written almost entirely by Cooper and his band. The title track worked well as a show opener, with Cooper throwing faux jeweled necklaces to the crowd, while the anthemic "Woman of Mass Distraction" and the gritty "Steal That Car" went down well with the packed house in Cooper's home town.

Those and a sampling of other recent tracks such as "Gimme," "Between High School and Old School" and "Lost in America" were proof that unlike many of his classic rock peers, Cooper hasn't been resting only on his past laurels.

There were plenty of those, too. In front of a large scrim bearing a likeness of his mascara-encircled eyes, the black-clad 56-year-old Cooper brandished his traditional sword filled with money during "Billion Dollar Babies" and slammed a crutch around while singing "Eighteen" to a sea of waving fists, its middle section extended to include guitar solos by both Ryan Roxie and Damon Johnson.

Also featured were "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Be My Lover," "Is It My Body" and the gentler "I Never Cry," which Cooper and his band performed unuplugged and seated.

Cooper's actress daughter Calico emerged as a vampiress/dominatrix during "Go to Hell," ushering in the show's theatrical segment about 45 minutes in. The scenario was familiar but hasn't grown moldy; a masochistic Cooper commits an assault during "Steven," sings "Only Women Bleed" to his victim, who emerges from her stupor to have him arrested and straightjacketed for "The Ballad of Dwight Fry" and subsequently guillotined after "Killer."

Following the band's version of "I Love the Dead," he re-emerged in a white top hat and tails, singing "School's Out" and tossing giant balloons into the audience.

The schtick didn't end there. During an encore of the new songs "Sunset Babies (All Got Rabies)," Calico returned as Paris Hilton, chased by paparazzi and attacked by her pet chihuahua before being carried off the stage. "Put some clothes on!" Cooper growled at his daughter as she was introduced during the show-closing "Under My Wheels."

These are different times, of course, so a ritual beheading and rabid pooches don't shock quite like they used to. But in Cooper's hands now they're entertaining accents that give a potent rock show some extra sizzle but never eclipse the strength of the music.


-- Gary Graff, Detroit

KIller!!!!
Can't wait to see this!