Sunday, November 1, 2009

Best "Sonic Boom" review yet! (Nov.1)


SONIC BOOM: A MASTERPIECE!
KERRANG SPAIN



By Nako Martinez
Translated for KISSonline by Jill Cataldo

Rating: KKKKK out of KKKKK

KISS has built a masterpiece: Simmons and Stanley demonstrate a return to form

KISS have always been grand masters of entertainment in the world of rock. Everyone was saddened the year Gene Simmons told the media in a press conference that there was not going to be another new new KISS album. Luckily, the good state of Paul Stanley, producer of Sonic Boom (whose recent solo disc was also brilliant) influenced the band to return to the studio, and in three months' time created an LP filled with vitality, happiness, cacophony and glamour.

Beginning with the almighty "Modern Day Delilah," segueing into the guitar riffs of "Russian Roulette" and the staples "Never Enough" and "Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)" the album certainly proves that this quartet's intention was to recapture the sound that they had in their earliest beginnings. Then, by the time we're almost halfway through the LP, we're flying. It's such an unloading of energy that literally pulls you in. The disc is filled with memorable melodies, big backing vocals (Eric also takes the lead vocals,) great guitar riffs in the style of "Deuce," and Tommy Thayer's solos are spectacular.

Entering the second half of the album, we're rocked and rolled again by "Hot and Cold," (pure American sound,) the upbeat guitars and memorable refrain of "All for the Glory" (certainly you'll like what you hear here; it's highly memorable) or the personality of the rocker "Say Yeah," which closes this body of work.

Without a doubt, this is one of the very best albums in KISS's entire career. It's as hot as an inferno, yet the disc is fresh with attitude and power, without a single filler song present. This is a moment to savor. We consider this disc to be immortal.