The Classic Rock Opinion: The New Kiss Album
With the band about to head into the studio to record their first album since 1998’s Psycho Circus, Geoff Barton speculates the pro’s and con’s of what we can expect from the brand new Kiss album. Click here for previous Classic Rock Opinions.
At their Download festival press conference last summer, Kiss – well, bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons, to be precise – poured cold water (cold gin, more like) on the prospect of Kiss ever recording a brand new album.
“The record industry is dead,” Simmons snarled. “It’s six feet underground and unfortunately the fans have done this.”
He continued: “They’ve decided to download and file-share. There is no record industry around so we’re going to wait until everybody settles down and becomes civilised. As soon as the record industry pops its head up we’ll record new material.”
Rhythm guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley defended Kiss’s policy of only playing their old hits live.
“With any classic band that hits the road, the last thing you want to hear is their new songs,” he said. “Trends come, fashion comes. But we don’t go away. We’re like herpes.”
So, what’s changed in a few short months? How come Kiss have performed an amazing about-face (not easy in those sky-high platform boots) and decided to record an all-new album after all?
You probably remember Stanley’s exclusive revelation to Classic Rock back in November ’08: “I thought that I’d be content for Kiss to remain a heritage act, just playing our greatest hits – Detroit Rock City and all that. But the new Kiss line-up with Tommy Thayer (guitar) and Eric Singer (drums) is proving to be so good, so strong in spirit, it would interesting to see how we perform in the studio.”
Stanley added: “I must stress that no recording time has been booked at this point. But if we were to go into the studio, the intention would be to make a Kiss album in the style of our 1970s recordings. A classic Kiss album, unmistakably.”
Well, hell. As we write this Kiss ARE in the studio making a new album, with a release date projected for autumn 2009.
All of which is extremely good news, obviously. But to be honest, we don’t quite believe the Starchild’s claim that the reason for recording a new Kiss album is purely down to the strength of the band’s current line-up.
Neither, it should be noted, has the record industry ‘popped its head up’ since last June. Indeed, as Simmons has doubtless noticed, it’s still cowering under a rock somewhere.
No sir. We suspect Kiss’s decision to enter the studio has got something to do with a couple of things that happened directly after their Download appearance – namely, the releases of Metallica’s Death Magnetic and AC/DC’s Black Ice albums.
Both were unashamedly retro offerings – as Kiss are promising their new album is going to be.
Encouraged by producer Rick Rubin, Metallica returned to their 1980s thrash-metal roots with Death Magnetic – and with frankly spectacular results.
AC/DC’s sole nod to modernity with Black Ice was to employ producer-of-the-moment Brendan O’Brien. (Just why O’Brien is so fêted is beyond this writer, but that’s another subject entirely.) Other than that, Black Ice was pretty much like any other AC/DC album. Just because it was released in 2008 doesn’t mean it couldn’t have gone on sale in 1998, 1988, 1978…
But you know what? Both Death Magnetic and Black Ice sold by the truckload. “Old is the new new,” you could say. The likelihood is that Simmons observed this significant fact, and anticipated those dollar signs glittering in front of his eyes once again if Kiss made the pure‘n’simple move of going back to basics.
So, what can we expect from Kiss’s new album, their first full-on studio project since 1998’s Psycho Circus? Well, Paul Stanley is producing, which we reckon is a good sign. The album is also being recorded in analog rather than digital, which arguably is an even better sign.
As Stanley recently affirmed: “It’s a Kiss album in the most true and classic sense — we’re recording it in analog, not digital, and writing it ourselves.”
So, yes, we’re expecting great things. We have but two qualms. First, Eric Singer might be a better drummer than original Kiss tub-thumper Peter Criss, but he ain’t as good a vocalist – as anyone who heard Singer on Black Diamond at Download will testify. So let’s hope Eric is content just to beat the skins on Kiss’s new record.
Second, Tommy Thayer may be a more technically proficient guitarist than Kiss’s original six-stringer Ace Frehley (notice a theme developing here?). But part of Kiss’s original charm was the Spaceman’s delightfully stumblesome playing, not to mention his endearingly heavy-handed riffs. Frehley’s barking-mad singing style shouldn’t be ignored, either. Can Thayer step up to the plate and match Ace’s past glories? We hope so. We have no reason to expect otherwise.
We’ll find out for sure sometime this autumn. But at this stage only one thing is totally certain: it’s gonna be a lo-o-o-o-o-ong wait…
Nice artice. There’s no doubt in my mind that this about face is primarily down to not just AC/DC & Metallica but also Journey’s new album all selling well in the States. I think there’s also a big chance KISS will go down the Walmart only distribution route that seems to have worked so well for both Journey and AC/DC. Perhaps even our own Whitesnake have helped sway KISS’s decision with Good To Be Bad. Whatever, I am a huge KISS fan and the album can’t come quickly enough. Stanley has always been a huge talent and with him at the helm this should be a return to form. Likewise, Gene despite his hit and miss output can generally deliver when he believes money can be made so here’s hoping… Hopefully they’ll drop all the ‘All For One’ stuff that made Psycho Circus such a load of tosh and fill the new CD with songs about sex & partying – that’s the KISS we all know and love!
This album will kill minds and usher in the Kissocalypse.
Well said Euan. I’ve been a huge KISS fan for 30 years and agree with everything you said. I don’t think that Paul Stanley has ever got the acclaim he should have, probably due to the image that KISS have had as a “cartoon” band. Paul is a great writer and brilliant front man. Hope the new album kicks ass.
i 70’s sounding kiss cd without ace and peter ? why don’t those 2 give the fans who supported there greedy asses all those years what they want. kiss is ace, peter ,gene and paul . they have 2 imposters in ace and peters make up.
Hope it Rock’s!!!!!!!!!!
Come on.. time moves on. Its not Peter and Ace but the two ‘new’ guys are top notch players. If it’s a return to the 70s sound I can’t wait to hear it. Give us a full UK tour to go with it with a couple of top bands in tow and I’ll be a happy man.
Imagine that!! And if VH do the same I’ll die a happier man.
Chickenfoot and Ace Frehley material on the horizon too.. GREAT!!!!
I think that Paul Stanley is the right man for this new album. KISS sounds better than ever. peter and Ace are great guys to have as friends but working with those guys is just a big problem. This is what KISS is today! For me is KISS Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. It was in the 80’s, 90’s……
KISS 2009 will rock!!
Another thing to expect from the new KISS album: multible formats! I’m sure we’ll get the usual CD, a deluxe edition (w/ bonus CD), a super-deluxe edition (the deluxe edition packaged with a bonus DVD & T-shirt), a limited edition vinyl edition and off course the digital download w/ bonus tracks…
Everybody seems to be doing this these days, and being a KISS collector I’ll know I’ll be buying one of each… heck, I just bought a Gene Simmons Axe Guitar Hero controller, and I don’t even own a copy of the game! Yes, we’re that easy!!
And what to think of the last Motley Crue album? I have no idea if that sold well in the States but it ended up in many, many end-of-the-year lists in Europe. And with good reason! I truely hope KISS creates a killer record. And I honestly think they will!
I personally can’t wait for the new album and will be waiting outside HMV the day it comes out on my way to college. And I love it that Eric is in kiss instead of Peter, he’s the reason I started playing drums, also I can’t wait to see how good Tommy is at writing guitar solos rather than just playing Ace, Vinnie and Bruce’s solos (I haven’t really bothered listening to much of the stuff he did with Black n Blue because they were fairly s**t lol).
I hope they release a new album in the spirit of REVENGE, a modern rock record that looks to the crunch of the 70’s for inspiration. Its still my fave KISS CD after all these years.
I really hope there is none of the “We are one” rubbish that filled PSYCHO CIRCUS -to me, that CD had a few good rockers and the rest was KISS trying to pander the the general public, and not to the die-hard KISS fan. The quality of song writing on “Live to Win” is a good indication of where Paul is at, hope this continues onto the new CD….
I am really excited about listening a brand new KISS album. It’s impossible for us who are big KISS fans not wish Peter and Ace there, but listening to the group with new material over 11 years will be amazing.
For me, Kiss are the definition of everything that’s wrong with music.
The way they leach off their fans is nothing short of robbery. Tacky music, tackier merchandising, and a lead singer who’s more than past his sell by date. (If he ever had it, he lost it about twenty years ago.)
I point the finger at Simmons as well. Not even his family are exempt from his money grabbing ways. This is a man who claims to have slept with a lot of woman, yet he has the personality of an armpit. I’m sure the ladies are falling over themselves to get a bit of Gene. Yeah, right.
Music for me, is about putting your emotions out there for people to listen to and relate. Kiss offer nothing but shallow tunes for shallow music fans. But, if that’s what floats your boat, enjoy. But I suspect that their new album will be terrible, like the rest.
It’s time to take off the makeup boys, and hang up those platform boots. You’re too old, and too bad at what you do. You’re not classic rock, you’re classic garbage.
Who says any of the material will be new? Gene sounds like he did in the 80’s… only two other people besides him aren’t making movies anymore. Tom Selik and Rutger Howard… Looks like Gene won’t be doing much but sticking out his tongue ’till he drops! Besides, I saw a song title “Rotten To The Core”, who’s to say it’s not a demo that didn’t make it onto Unmasked! Either way, I don’t think they can make a record as disappointing or horrible as Psycho Circus so lets see what happens! Besides, without this record they won’t be able to sell enough tickets to tour the states… notice they haven’t been touring here for awhile?
Hey Robert,if you don;t care about KISS why would your stupid ass read this article let alone share your dumbshit comments???Get your head out of your as,KISS has sold alot of records for something that is shallow and unemotional…go suck Bono’s dick….
Thank you Todd what kind of idiot is reading about KISS then rips them like he did. I love that line about Bono as well. Look, like Gene has said before in an old interview why are you looking for meaning where there is none. KISS is fun its not doom and gloom or lets change the world crap. Someone once asked me why do you go to so many KISS shows isn’t once enough and I say do you go to an amusement park just once? When your having the time of your life you never get enough. All of you bleeding hearts for Ace and Peter get over it already they are doing what they want to do and are happy did you ever think of that. I saw Ace last year and he kicked A**. I love Eric and Tommy and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better sounding KISS except maybe 1975 KISS. Cant wait for the new album and see you on the road……..
I think Kiss will make a blinding album, because they know if they screw up with this one, it will be the end.
As long as Gene let’s Paul take the lead, it will happen.
The only good thing about the next Kiss album is that Gene Simmons WILL NOT be producing it. Expect Animalize meets Hot in The Shade.
Correction, Gene. The “fans” didn’t do it. The industry did it to themselves by ripping us off for years.
That being said, I own about 5 Kiss albums with Detroit Rock fucking City on it. Don’t tell me you’re not getting your $$$.
Can’t wait for Fall…
I have been a Kiss fan since day one. But for those of you who think that they could not do a classic kiss album because peter and ace are not there, well I am sorry to disappoint you but check the recording facts as many times Kiss had to bring in session players for ace and peter – so even though you thought it was them it wasn’t.
Can’t wait for new stuff.
I WAS THE BIGGEST KISS FN IN THE WORLD,STILL AM WHEN IT COMES TO PETER AND ACE,I LEARNED TO PLAY GUITAR BY THIER ALBUMS,,,THANX ACE,,,, BUT NOW ITS OVER KISS SUCKS AND SHOULD NOT RELEASE ANY NEW MATERIAL WITH OUT ACE AND PETER,WHAT ARE THEY THINKING KISS IS KISS FROM 72′ TO 1980 DONT DO IT CALL PETER AND ACE YOULLE HAVE A MUCH BETTER RESPONCE AS THE CIRCUS IN 96 DID THEY CAN NEVER TOP OUT AGAIN W/OUT THE ORIGINAL LINE UP AND I GOTTA BE HONEST IT HURTS TO SEE THEM GO ON W/ OUT THEM SINCERLY,,,, GREGG
Oh come on, claiming that both Metallica and AC/DC’s new albums we’re excellent is nonsense.
AC/DC’s new album sounds like the same song over and over, sure, it came out as a mediocre album that’s worth buying, but it ain’t spectacular.
And Metallica’s new album? It sounds like a coverband trying to sound like the old thrashy metallica that started playing. It’s pure horror just as they have sounded ever since they kicked the only real talen in metallica; Mustaine…
I can’t wait for the new KISS album, in the 70’s there wasn’t a better band. If this does sound like a “classic KISS” album then it should be a big breath of fresh air over all the complete shit that comes out nowadays.
the new song is kickass awesome modern day delilah i cant wait to hear the hole album kiss rules there the best band ever peter and ace where better but when i saw kiss on the alive 35 gig tommy thayer and eric singer are very good and paul and gene are still great!!!!!!!!!!!!! rock on