Well, I wasn’t really planning on writing this review for quite some time, but in light of the untimely passing of Ace Frehley, I decided to move this review up. If you want to read my podcast and good friend Brian’s tribute post to Ace then click here. https://audioeclectica.com/2025/10/17/tribute-ace-frehley/
Now, if I remember correctly, I had actually started writing this review before I took my long break from doing these. In fact, I am pretty sure that I started writing this review and then just stopped part of the way. So in any event, obviously the band on the chopping block is KISS and I mean come on what can be said about this band that hasn’t been said already. It’s KISS for crying out loud. They’re iconic, they’ve been around for decades, and they are absolutely inspirational to so many bands that I love both older and newer alike. So with that, let’s take a look……..
KISS- I mean come on this is the one that started it all. It’s kind of hard to believe that this came out in 1974!! The fact that this is considered one of their more popular albums, says a lot. I do know that Paul and Gene consider this to be their favorite album and for such an older album it sounds great. It’s definitely got that hard rock but at the same time it’s sort of a Proto glam metal album. I can definitely see how bands like Mötley Crüe would take inspiration from this album. I’ll give this album 10/10.
Standouts: Nothin’ To Lose, Deuce, Cold Gin
Hotter Than Hell- I feel like this album has just a slight dark undertone. I don’t know this song maybe aren’t as memorable on this one as they are on the first album, but I do think it’s a great follow up. Again not much has really changed in terms of tone in my opinion but overall it’s a good album. It definitely has that classic rock sound much like we heard on the first album but again just slightly darker. I’m gonna give this one 8/10
Standouts: Mainline, Parasite, Goin Blind
Dressed To Kill- OK so this is the album that gave us the Rock And Roll All Nite. Personally I find that song to be incredibly overplayed and I really just can’t listen to it anymore but aside from that the rest of the album is pretty damn good. I will say that the guitar work on here is just so awesome. That’s one thing I picked up On when I heard this album for the first time was that Ace has some of his best guitar playing here. Again another really fun album and I’m gonna give it 9/10.
Standouts: Two Timer, She, Room Service
Alive!- so this one would be the first of many live albums and I gotta say for being such an old live album, it sounds pretty damn good. I think it does a pretty good job of capturing the energy of their many live performances. The thing about it though is that it’s only from the first couple of albums so if you’re a big fan of those albums, and you wanna hear live versions of the songs, then you’re going to really like this album. I’m gonna give this one 8/10.
Standouts: Strutter, Firehouse, Black Diamond
Destroyer- OK I know this one is regarded as one of the fan favorites and I absolutely can see why. This album is so damn good!! It has one of my favorite songs that being Detroit Rock City but the rest of the album is just so freaking good I mean talk about a classic!! This is the album that I feel like inspired a lot of the bands that I am a fan of and even newer bands. I just can’t say enough good things about this album. I am absolutely giving this one 10/10.
Standouts: God Of Thunder, Sweet Pain, King Of The Night Time World
Rock And Roll Over- it almost feels as if this album was just a bunch of leftover songs from Destroyer. I wouldn’t say it’s a B side album but it definitely feels like they had unused material from the last album that they just decided to put on this one. It’s not a bad album by any means I just don’t think it’s maybe as strong as the previous one. Overall not bad and I’m gonna give it 8.5/10
Standouts: Mr. Speed, Take Me, Baby Driver
Love Gun- much like the Destroyer album this is another one of their album albums that I can tell is considered a classic. It’s maybe not as heavy as that album, but the songs are catchy, and this is definitely one of those albums that I’m sure had live staples. Overall, just another really solid and fun record from these guys and I’m gonna give this one 10/10.
Standouts: I Stole Your Love, Almost Human, Plaster Caster
Alive II- when it comes to bands and their discography, there are very few live albums that get mentioned. Sure, everyone knows that there are live albums in pretty much every single bands catalogue but I feel like this is one of those live albums that gets talked about a lot amongst KISS fans. I can see why this album is held in such high regard because it really does capture the energy that this band had during this era. I mean when you hear people talk about KISS albums, this is one that gets brought up quite a bit. But much like the first Alive album this one doesn’t even better job of capturing that energy. Definitely an album that should not be skipped and I’m going to give it 10/10.
Standouts: Detroit Rock City, All American Man, Rockin’ In The USA
Dynasty- ah yes the album that gave us their disco song I Was Made For Lovin’ You. Even though the rest of the album has that kind of disco and pop sound it’s actually not that bad. I know the diehard fans hated this album when it came out at the time, but I actually enjoyed this more than I would’ve thought. Sure it’s not a hard rock album, but it’s just another really fun record and it definitely does not deserve the hate that it gets. I’m going to give this album 7/10.
Standouts: Dirty Livin’, Hard Times, 2,000 Man
Unmasked- OK so this one continues with the I guess softer approach if you will. This one is more of a pop album, but the difference between this one and the last one is that there’s pretty much no disco elements on here. I can see why this one is considered one of the least favorites. I don’t think it’s a bad album by any means but it’s just probably their weakest album so far. I’m giving it 7/10.
Standouts: Is That You?, She’s So European, What Makes The World Go Round
Music From The Elder- I guess they really wanted to try something completely out of the ballpark. Like this definitely does not feel like a KISS album. Like I know people gave them shit for making a disco album how come nobody ever brings up the fact that they made an orchestral album? Like I feel like when it comes to this band and their albums, this one should be considered the oddball. It’s not a terrible record by any means but it’s certainly an unexpected departure. I really don’t know what made them decide to put out this album. It’s just also kind of a strange record. Definitely one I don’t think I would revisit so I’m gonna go ahead and give this one 6/10. I will give them props for trying something new.
Standouts: Dark Light, The Oath
Creatures Of The Night- so this one completely ditches any elements that were on the last three albums. You can tell that they are trying to go back to their hard rock roots sort of, but I did read somewhere that they wanted this to be their heaviest record. I don’t get heaviness when I hear this album. It definitely is a rock record, but as far as it being considered a heavy metal record no, that’s not the case. The thing I feel like with this album is it sounds very dated. Like you can tell it’s an 80s record and an 80s hard rock record at that. Overall, it’s definitely a step up. I’m gonna give this 7/10.
Standouts: Rock And Roll Hell, War Machine, Creatures Of The Night
Lick It Up- I feel like in spite of the title track the rest of the album. It’s actually a pretty good step up. It’s got some heavy rock and again it goes for almost a darker tone for some songs. Like I know the title track and a couple of other songs are fun and all that but there’s actually some dark moments on here. Overall, this is a surprisingly solid record and I’m gonna go ahead and give it 7/10.
Standouts: All Hell’s Breaking Loose, Not For The Innocent, Exciter
Animalize- what I like about this album is that does kind of tease the heavy metal line. It’s not quite a metal album, but it definitely comes close to being one. I did like the up-tempo songs and I actually enjoyed the guitar tone on here. Definitely an album that you don’t really hear a lot about but I enjoyed it. I’m gonna give it another 8/10.
Standouts: Get All You Can, Under The Gun, I’ve Had Enough
Asylum- this isn’t really a continuation or anything that deviates too far from what they’ve done in the past. It’s just another straightforward rock record with some really fun and great songs on it. Again, it’s one of those albums that it’s good but given their extensive material, I can see how this one would get lost in the shuffle. I’ll give this one 8/10.
Standouts: Any Way You Slice It, Tears Are Falling, Radar For Love
Crazy Nights- one thing that is definitely obvious on this album is the use of synthesizer and keyboards. This album came out I believe in 1987 and you can definitely tell that they were trying to fit in with what was going on at the time. It kinda goes back to their pop sound but it’s got more of a metal edge to it. Again, I gotta give them credit for trying something new and different so again I’m giving this another 8/10
Standouts: Crazy Crazy Nights, Hell Or High Water
Hot In The Shade- I don’t know what it is about this album but for some reason, I strangely really like this album. I know it’s not considered one of their more popular releases and that’s fine but there’s just something about this album that I find enjoyable. Like a lot of their albums that came out in the 80s, it definitely sounds like a product of its time. It does remind me a lot of the previous album just minus the keyboards. Again like a lot of their albums, especially the ones in the 80, it’s just another really fun record. I’m giving this 8.5/10.
Standouts: Rise To It, Cadillac Dreams, Betrayed
Revenge- well if you wanted a heavier KISS record, I would say this one is definitely one of those albums. It’s not a full on heavy metal record, but it’s definitely in the heavy rock category. This would be their first album of the 90s and much like some of their other albums,it does sound like it came out during that time. I have no choice but to give this another 8/10.
Standouts: Unholy, Heart Of Chrome, God Gave Rock ‘n Roll To You II
Alive III- I’m starting to think that this band puts out just great live albums. Much like the other two Alive albums, this one yet again just captures the energy that this band brings to a live performance. What’s notable about this is one of the last tracks has a really rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. I guess this is also the first live album that they put out where they’re not wearing make up. But again, it’s another great live album. I mean I really can’t say anymore about it. The reason why I’m adding these Alive albums is because they are pretty damn good. I’m gonna give this live album 9/10.
Standouts: Deuce, I Love It Loud, Domino
Carnival Of Souls: The Final Sessions- have you ever were wondered if KISS made a grunge album? well this album definitely answers that question. Much like their contemporary at the time KISS decided to go grunge and you know what surprisingly it actually works. It’s such a departure from what they’ve ever done that. It almost is as if it’s a different band. But as I said earlier, this album oddly works and it’s pretty enjoyable. Definitely give this one a chance, especially if you wanna hear something new and different from a band that has up until this point put out 16 other albums. I’m going to give this 8.5/10.
Standouts: Hate, Jungle, In The Mirror
Psycho Circus- I was actually surprised as to how much I liked this album. It’s also cool about this one is that it’s a reunion album so you have the original and some newer members playing on this album. I’d like to think of it as just one big gathering of KISS members. It’s very reminiscent of what they were doing in the early days but with a modern twist. It’s almost as if they all decided to just go back to basics and see what happens. I’m definitely giving this one 8.5/10
Standouts: Psycho Circus, Raise Your Glasses, Dreamin’
Symphony: Alive IV- OK the final Alive album and as I’m sure the title suggests yes there is an actual orchestra playing along with the band. I was a little hesitant on reviewing this one, but I figured I’ve already reviewed the other live albums so why not take a listen to the last one? And you know what it’s actually really good and what’s cool about it is that you have everyone except for Ace. What makes this Alive album unique is that it’s a performance in three parts. The first is just the band the second is an acoustic set and the third and final act is them playing with a full On 60 piece Orchestra. It’s definitely a very unique live album and I’m gonna give it 9/10.
Standouts: Calling Dr. Love, Goin’ Blind, Shout It Out Loud
Sonic Boom- so this would be their first album of new material in like 11 years and honestly, it doesn’t seem like there was that much time between this album and the last album. It goes back to what they were doing before which was just straightforward rock. It does have some elements from the previous album and it’s just a really good straightforward rock record. What I also respect about this album two is that it doesn’t seem like this is a band that’s trying too hard to fit in with what was going on in 2009. I’m giving this 8.5/10.
Standouts: Modern Day Delilah, Stand, Danger Us
Monster- so here we are. Here we are at the final studio album from this band and I gotta say it definitely has been a journey. Now with this album, it feels like they took elements of Destroyer, Revenge, and the last album Sonic Boom and mixed them all together. I feel like by putting those three albums together and this thing in the end result it makes for a great hard rock record. I mean, that’s all I can pretty much say about this one (and so many others). It doesn’t sound dated and it doesn’t sound like a band that’s trying hard to fit in with modern hard rock bands. I’m going to give this album 9/10.
Standouts: Hell Or Hallelujah, Freak, Outta This World
Well, this has definitely been a bit of a roller coaster but in an absolute fun, kind of way. To say that this band is iconic is absolute understatement!! They are definitely one of those bands that if they didn’t exist I’m not sure if hard rock or even metal would be the same. I mean, I don’t think I can even begin to list all of the bands that these guys have had an influence on. Even newer bands, that may not necessarily cite these guys as an influence, you can hear them in that music. Yes they do sell everything under the sun from caskets to condoms to action figures you name it you can pretty much find a KISS logo on it. But you have to look past all that and know that they have put out some amazing albums in the 40+ years they’ve been around. And say what you want about Paul and Gene but I’m pretty sure that without those guys this band wouldn’t have gone on as long as it did. As I said many times in this review on many of their albums, they’re just fun hard rock albums. Are all of them bangers? Absolutely not, but you cannot deny their importance in music. RIP Spaceman Ace Frehley
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Destroyer
- Love Gun
- Alive II
- KISS
- Dressed To Kill
- Monster
- Psycho Circus
- Carnival Of Souls: The Final Sessions
- Hot In The Shade
- Sonic Boom
- Symphony: Alive IV
- Revenge
- Alive III
- Rock And Roll Over
- Hotter Than Hell
- Alive!
- Animalize
- Asylum
- Crazy Nights
- Dynasty
- Lick It Up
- Unmasked
- Creatures Of The Night
- Music From The Elder
Sinister Reviews 