Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
No matter what, the story of Kiss keeps going. Nearly 40 years down the line Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons continue to let this gargantuan behemoth draw breathe and thrill their millions of fans. For their 20th album release Monster, the ingredients that made them absolute show stoppers and musical entertainers are still there and it seems as if this Monster will not be tamed.
It may have been three years since Sonic Boom graced the ears of their adoring fans; that is nothing compared to the decade they allowed to lapse between albums, so a mere three years seems like six months in comparison and whilst not breaking the mould in that time, coming up with a new idea or two, they still sound as if they are a gift from on high.
The line-up of Kiss Stalwarts Simmons and Stanley are fused with Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer for the second studio album running and it seems that the magic is very much alive and not only dangerous but sounding good too. In very much the same way that arguably Kiss’ best time during the early days of the band was between the 1976 album Destroyer and 1979’s Dynasty, so the classic line-up’s memory is remembered and almost paid homage to by Monster following on so excellently from the previous offering in this the group’s third era.
There will be those with an axe to grind against Kiss, the music being pretty much the same all time is a constant whip which they come across. However it’s the music itself that drives the band’s ethos. There really is no need to change a style to much if it still appeals to those that follow them and seeing as this is their 20th album in 38 years, just who should argue with that. For fans of the genre each song still sounds great, especially the crashing Freak, the determined Shout Mercy and the rip-roaring Eat Your Heart Out.
Their crown as being one of the forerunners of stadium rock theatre looks set to continue with this album, it doesn’t pretend to be anything but that it is, just pure rock and roll. So many years may have passed but Kiss is still one of the best.
Ian D. Hall