KISS: Creatures Of The Night (MELODIC METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Although they hit the jackpot with the inter-planetary hit "I Was Made For Loving You", Kiss' popularity has ped since the album "Dynasty", especially with the Hard-Rock public who only moderately appreciate their Pop-Rock-Disco drifts. If "Music From The Elder" and the arrival of Eric Carr on drums seemed to put the quartet back on track artistically speaking, this album remained rather misunderstood. So here comes "Creatures Of The Night", which seems to be the last chance for the New Yorkers to relaunch their career.

Ace Frehley, who was in a car accident and still in the grip of his demons (alcohol and other substances) couldn't record this album, even if he was officially credited. He was replaced by several guitarists including Bob Kulick and Vincent Cusano. The latter was so involved in the composition and gave such satisfaction that he ended up officially joining the ranks of Kiss when Frehley officially left, and took the name Vinnie Vincent. The new blood he brought with Eric Carr, and a monstrous production concocted by M.J. Jackson, would finally give the legendary made-up combo some altitude. Indeed, Kiss had never sounded so heavy before. The rhythm section is huge, propelled by Carr's heavy and powerful hitting and paying homage to Gene Simmons' bass abusing his 4 strings for our greatest pleasure. The latter and Paul Stanley share the vocals of the 9 tracks offered, leaving nothing to their colleagues.

The batman works essentially in a heavy and dark register and offers us in particular some anthems which will become essential in the repertoire of the band. "Rock And Roll Hell" and "War Machine", composed with the unexpected help of Bryan Adams, are real steamroller songs with unforgettable choruses, but the summit of this album is without any doubt "I Love It Loud". Written with Vinnie Vincent, this martial track with its basic and legendary drum beat is seared into your memory never to be removed again. Stanley, on the other hand, is slightly more subdued. But if he offers us one less track than his sidekick, they are nonetheless of a rare quality, starting with the eponymous track which launches the album on the best bases with its powerful and dynamic riff and its catchy chorus. "Keep Me Comin'", both heavy and groovy, "Danger", faster and more scathing, and the power-ballad "I Still Love You", dark and with a superb solo, complete the perfect album.

"Creatures Of The Night" is both a must-have album for all fans of powerful and melodic hard rock, and a milestone in Kiss' repertoire. Indeed, in addition to the departure of Ace Frehley, it also marks the end of the band's made-up period and its entry into a new musical era. The quartet will continue in a heavier direction, but none of the albums that will follow will reach the level of excellence proposed on this masterpiece, which makes "Creatures Of The Night" an absolute must. - Official website

KISS

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

MERCURY

MELODIC METAL