Message from KISS

from KISSONLINE.com

MESSAGE FROM PAUL

THIS IS KISS. CLASSIC KISS!

If you been reading KISSONLINE, it's no surprise to you now. We ARE done recording our new album.

What might well be a surprise is that at the least, the album is right up there with our best. As much as we may have tried at some other times to achieve this, the chemistry, line-up or lack of total commitment from everyone might have been cause for it being impossible. Not now. Not this time.

I know that when you hear it you will agree.

Before we began the album, I said I was only interested in doing it if I produced and we followed set ground rules; Total commitment by everyone, pure guitar driven KISS, no outside writers, no outside players and my opinion and say would always be final.

All said yes and I know we'd all say we've never had more fun together.

All four of us made this our priority. Everyone was involved everyday. From the first day of writing to the last day of recording everyone was there giving 100% to making this the album we knew we had in us. I've never seen Gene more selfless (yes...Gene!), focused or harder working. His bass playing, songs and overall contribution help to make this the album you've wanted for so long. Without his spirit, this wouldn't have been possible.

As far as Tommy's guitar playing, he took this chance at bat to consistently hit it out of the park. His playing is fiery and rooted firmly in our history, while making his own mark. Tommy's singing, writing contributions and total involvement made clear what's been missing for so long.

In the twenty years I've known Eric, I've never seen him this relaxed or creative. His playing is the foundation of our next step forward. Relentless and full of spit and swagger. Many lead singers don't have Eric's chops or range. He's singing great on his track and all over the album.

Wait till you hear what we've got for you.

Do I sound proud of everyone and what we've done together? I am, and I should be.

Eleven songs. Eleven winners.

This IS KISS. Classic KISS.

It's been a long time coming.

PAUL


MESSAGE FROM GENE

BEST KISS ALBUM IN 30 YEARS!

Our new album (title of which you'll just have to wait a bit longer for) is just a few steps from being completely done. We're planning on re-visiting one of the eleven songs, to make sure it's gotten everything it deserves. Maybe re-arranging it one last time. Then, time to mix.

The entire writing and recording process of the album harkened back to an earlier, more innocent time. A time that produced albums such as ROCK AND ROLL OVER and LOVE GUN. And, the new songs have that feeling, I have to say.

It all started with a point of view Paul had. The view had to do with ignoring the times, ignoring the critics, not over thinking who and what we are...and that we had nothing to prove to anyone....nothing. We have been releasing albums and touring for 35 years and why wouldn't we want to do an "honest" record. Just do it!!! And, he wanted to produce the album himself!!!

While it's true in the past we had produced KISS records together. And we had both produced other acts outside of KISS. But here was Paul saying he wanted to shoulder the responsibility and burden of steering the good ship KISS on his own.

He was serious. And, I saw it was real. I saw the commitment he was going to make to the album and the band... and I agreed. We all trusted each other and saw the same vision of the band...and perhaps democracy is overrated...and sooner or later, someone had to decide.

And I will tell you here and now, he's done a great job.

The process of writing songs involved both writing separately, but often, in hotel rooms and rehearsal halls, literally starting from scratch and throwing riffs and chords at each other. Then working on melody and lyric...starting alone, then bringing it into the rehearsal halls and even during recording, we would often critique the lyrics all the way down to the last minute.

Tommy really stepped up in the songwriting area....co-wrote some songs with us and actually sings his first song on a KISS album.

Eric, likewise was always encouraging and of course, provided his always dependable bombastic drumming style. But unlike other drummers, Eric is also a great singer. Wait until you hear him tear it up on his lead vocal.

What else, you ask?

Well, Paul and I trade vocals on a few tunes and had a lot to say about each other's songs...

Result? Maybe the best record we've done in 30 years.

Bold statement? You bet.

Wait till you hear it.

GENE


MESSAGE FROM TOMMY

YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!


Well the brand new KISS studio album is almost ready to go - actually more like ready to EXPLODE! We finished recording last week, with the exception of one tune that needs an hour or so more --- I have to tell you it KICKS!

Paul has done a fantastic job keeping everyone in line and the direction clear. As you might have heard, all the tunes were written within the band and recorded analog -- which means hot, heavy and rockin' in the classic sense!

We definitely didn't over-think it.

From the beginning stages of writing, rehearsing and arranging the tunes, to putting the trax down on tape, we went with our GUT... kept it raw and real. We didn't go more than two or three takes when we recorded the basic tracks, which by-the-way, we recorded with all four of us together -- which is a rare (or non-existent) occurrence with bands in this modern digital age. We had a laugh when we were tracking the 11th and very last tune and Eric said, we have to get this in two or three takes like all the others or it ain't no good!

The true test for how new tunes hold up is when you play them live. As everybody probably knows, we haven't played any of these brand-new songs in concert, but we did run a few of them at our sound check in Milwaukee last week. Yep, you guessed right... They SCORCHED! Our tour crew guys were like, HOLY S**T, what was that?!!

It's been a gas doing this record with Paul, Eric and Gene -- truly a collaborative effort! I told the guys the other day that in my humble opinion, this is by far the most cohesive sounding record KISS has made in a long, long time -- meaning that ALL the tunes are great, the sound kicks my ass, and it all fits together perfectly as an album.

IT DON'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!

Can't wait for you to hear it... You're gonna LOVE it!

TOMMY


MESSAGE FROM ERIC

NO BALLADS, NO SLOW SONGS, NO FILLERS!

You Wanted The Best ?

Well the wait is almost over...

I have been hearing KISS fans say for a longtime that "All's we want is NEW KISS music" ... Well, sometimes wishes do come true !

Last December Paul called me up saying he wanted to make a new KISS record. He seemed very keen and was very specific about the approach to our latest endeavors.

He basically said he wanted us to make a KISS record and music in the purest sense. Meaning No outside writers, the BAND plays on everything, and we use vintage equipment.

Guess what ?

The end result is everything I could have hoped for.

I have to say this has been the most fun and pleasure making a record I have ever been involved in. The chemistry and overall vibe really made for such a great atmosphere and the playing, sounds and songs just really capture what KISS is all about. Classic Rock & Roll.

As we were working up song ideas everyone was very in tune and conscious of our goals at all times. Gene and Paul would retrace their steps from the past and focused on paying tribute to their roots of the early styles of Classic KISS by paying close attention to the way they sang and the sounds of the instruments.

The camaraderie between everyone and especially Gene and Paul really made it easy for all to bring the best out of each other.

Paul took the reigns and headed up the project like the leader that he has been for over 35 years but, this time with a renewed, inspired and very patient style (he is a great dad after all). He really knew what he wanted from each of us individually and collectively.

We did the 11 new songs in small batches by getting into a rehearsal studio first to work up ideas. We then would move to the recording studio. The recordings would entail all of us playing "live" together in the room. As we captured each performance we would then add extra guitar parts and usually put a guide vocal on the track so we could live with it for a few days and make sure the tempos and vibe was right.

By the way we used NO click tracks on this record I am proud to say. We really went for capturing the live feel and essence of each song. And, Paul, Gene, Tommy and myself are the only musicians playing these songs. A true band effort and performance !

As for the songs ?

Well, no ballads, no slow songs, no filler...

The band really has come full circle.

Just pure straight ahead Rock and Roll that has all the elements that made you love KISS from day one.

Everyone sings lead on a song (Tommy and myself) and even trade off vocal lines and parts throughout the record.

Believe me the wait IS over and well worth it !

I hope you all enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it...

More as it happens !

ERIC

I'm really looking forward to this

I am also looking forward to this album and KISS better not let me down!!!

I am TOTALLY looking forward to this one!

In spite of myself, I'm pretty stoked about this one too. I'm such a friggin' fanboy.

Fat Freddy wrote:

In spite of myself, I'm pretty stoked about this one too. I'm such a friggin' fanboy.

LOL!!! My only wish is that they could have done this with Ace & Peter (no outside song writers, etc)

I'll believe it when I hear it.

detuned wrote:

I'll believe it when I hear it.

I'm in the same camp here. I really want it to be good, but I really have to take Gene & Paul's comments with a grain of salt here. They'e both salesmen trying to move a product. Gene especially, when for the last few years kept saying "doing a new album is a waste of time, noone wants new music, the music industry is in shambles, yadda, yadda, yadda". Then all of the sudden, when bands started making exculsive deals with places like Walmart and Best Buy and seeing a profit, Mr. I-Want-To-Rest-On-My-Former-Glory sees a busine$$ opportunity and does a 180. "This is what the fans want, so we're gonna give 'em the best album ever recorded in the history of mankind".

Hmmmm, the proof is in the pudding, Gene.

Regardless of what Gene said in the past about making an album, he is entitled to change his mind. Given the oppurtunity to an exclusive Walmart deal, any band would be stupid to not take advantage of it. KISS has nothing to prove. Folks know what they are about and hopefully this time around they follow through in the music dept. Hype aside, the possibility of a great 70's style hard rock album is there.

James B. wrote:

Regardless of what Gene said in the past about making an album, he is entitled to change his mind. Given the oppurtunity to an exclusive Walmart deal, any band would be stupid to not take advantage of it. KISS has nothing to prove. Folks know what they are about and hopefully this time around they follow through in the music dept. Hype aside, the possibility of a great 70's style hard rock album is there.

I'm not knocking Gene per say, I'm just calling a spade a spade and Gene is Gene, if that makes sense. Back in the early 80's when Gene wanted to be a movie star, I'm sure he shrugged of the music biz back then too, but he later came around. He knows where his bread is buttered. And every artist that puts out a new album says "This is our best album EVER". It comes with the business, it's all part of the game. Even when that turd St. Anger was pooped out on the general public, Metallica had to claim it was manna from heaven. My point was that I'm not getting my hopes up for a great KISS album just because Gene & Paul say it's great. I'm hoping it is, but I'll believe it when I hear it.

As for the exculsive distribution deals, I've got no problem with them. If I can get a new release for $7.99 at Walmart as opposed to $17.99 at FYE, I'm all for it.

Way too much hype and it's not classic Kiss. It might be a good album and i'm hoping but geez, at their age do they have to do the BEST ALBUM thing?

im not in the same hand. it should be trash. so carefully. im in average mood bout this new release. commercials are 1st way for selling but ... as we know $immon$'s pulling the strings... everywhere.

I'm looking forward to this album. But I am skeptical especially after all the debacle with Psycho Circus.

This is one of their last chances to bring back the Kiss name so i hope it's good.

I am still stoked for this album, regardless of whether or not it's the "best in 30 years" or not. I like the part about not trying to sound current and just going out and being Kiss. Peace.

I am so ready for this.Been far too long since a new release from them. I'll get it the day of release for sure.

Can't wait...Kiss is my favorite band of all time. In my book they only made one true misstep (meaning, made an album I still can't listen to and just pretend never happened and that was with Carnival Of Souls).

I even absolutely love Jekoku-Retsuden (Intense Transmission From Hell).

later...Cliffy

I hope those words by PAUL, GENE, etc...are true. I can hardly wait to listen to it.

kmorg wrote:

I'm really looking forward to this

+1 from me. Been waiting for a solid KISS album since Assylum. Revenge was close, but still had a couple of BRUTAL tracks, in my opinion.



Arttie

Anyone know if there are any previews of this online? I'd be interested in hearing just how much this resembles classic KISS...

MetalFRO wrote:

Anyone know if there are any previews of this online? I'd be interested in hearing just how much this resembles classic KISS...

It's not quite finished yet, I believe it's in the mixing stage now.

I'm really looking forward to this. I wasn't expecting much at first, but still... KISS has only released solid albums imo.

Quote :

In my book they only made one true misstep (meaning, made an album I still can't listen to and just pretend never happened and that was with Carnival Of Souls).

Oddly enough, that's the last KISS album that I actually liked. I'm pretty much a casual fan, so maybe because it was darker and the least KISS-sounding like album in their discography is why I liked it.

The last Kiss album I liked was Lick It Up.

next new album will sure sound like this. and of cors we love it and gonna buy it.