Picks up where REVENGE left off.....but more DARK & HEAVY!!! They should have stayed in this vein instead of taking back the way below average, mediocre at best, we're broke, please let us join again, so we can pay some bills, and try once again to almost drive the brand into the ground like we tried to last time.....but failed....other 2 original members....cuz that's what the fans want. And while we're all at it we can milk the fans cuz we need the money more than they do with a reunion, farewell, keep touring BS!!! And I CAN say that cuz I am a diehard fan since 1975!!! Make some more money and lie to us once again about who's on the album cover but NOT playing on the album!!! Yep, that's the KISS I've come to know and love!!! WORD!!!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This release is a nice change from the very poppy, too commercial sounds of previous songs with Bruce Kulick on guitar. This release has KISS producing a sound & style not that much different from the grunge sounds of Soundgarden in this reviewer's opinion. It's lyrical matter ranges from death of a friend to child molestation to hatred. A full-on far cry from previous titles: "Let's Put The X in Sex" "Forever"; etc. Many fans cried foul for them adopting the Seattle heaviness & style on this effort but let's not forget that KISS has been innovative from the very beginning in trying new styles. Personally, the Crazy Nights, Smashes, Trashes & Hot in the Shade were sex rants with an overly commercial sound similar to Robert Palmer. So it was only a matter of time before KISS flirted with the heavy, Metallica-chunk sound as a nice break from synthesized guitar. History shows that they did the same after the disco-influenced Dynasty, pop-influenced Unmasked. In which they released the very heavy metal Creatures of the Night to get back to the heavy sound. Well, same here. Of course they would eventually top off the heavy sound on the return to classic KISS sounds of Psycho Circus in the later 90s. I recommend this release to any member of the KISS ARMY who wants to hear KISS playing out their darker alter-ego.Read full review
Let me get one thing out there. I know some people might like this CD...being grungy and all. I respect that. BUT...KISS is a rock band. They went from classics such as Deuce, Rock and Roll All Nite, Love Gun, Shout It Out Loud, etc, to this sound. Yeah, I also understand that they might of been going with the flow of the "modern" music of that time...But look what happened. They went from amazing rock songs to poor mediocre music. Only get this CD to complete a collection. That's what I did. Oh KISS...what happened!?
If you are into grunge or a die hard Kiss fan this one is ofr you. But if you do not fit into any of these catagories then do not even bother buying this album. It is a very dark album compared to anything Kiss had previously released. The best songs are Master and Slave, Childhoods End, I Will Be There, Jungle, I Confess, In The Mirror, and I Walk Alone. This album is also unique because we finally get to hear Bruce Kulick take lead vocals on I Walk Alone.
Probably the CD that would have re-directed KISS if not for the reunion. If your a KISS "purist", and only will accept Gene/Paul/Ace/Peter, then this is definitely NOT for you. If you're a huge fan of KISS in general, you will like the sound of this harder than usual KISS record. If you're into the Gene/Paul/Bruce/Eric line-up (like I am), you will LOVE this CD! A little bit of trend-chasing maybe, but the harder edge is what we were waiting for! Definitely a 90s sound from a band that proves here that they could still hold their own. Aand if you like SONIC BOOM, you will like this one!
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