From: Matt Donaldson

Well here it is, the album the world has been waiting for! I have broken the album down track-by-track and rated each song out of ten. So here it is, my review of Psycho Circus, the new album from the hottest band in the world, KISS!

PSYCHO CIRCUS - Wow! This song is the best KISS song to kick off an album since Destroyerıs ŒDetroit Rock Cityı. Paul really stands up and kicks some major ass on this one and the eerie carnival music at the start gives the album a great beginning. The lyrics are great - Œthe make-up Œ line gives you goose bumps when you hear it! A classic Ace solo to top it off. Rating 9

WITHIN - If youıre looking for the Demon on this album, this is the closest Gene gets. But this one belongs on Carnival of Souls. The verses are okay and the chorus grows on you, it is pretty cool. Rating 7

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE - Another big rocker from Paul, again the lyrics are awesome. Okay, so the title is a little corny but the song delivers the goods. Considering the title, the chorus turned out really well, youıll be singing it for days! Rating 8

INTO THE VOID - Mmmm, I kinda expected more from the Spaceman. Donıt get me wrong, itıs a good track but is a little disappointing. It does sound very ŒFrehleyıs Cometı. Rating 7

WE ARE ONE - Considering Gene sings this one, its a little soft, especially for his demon persona. Beatles sounding and belongs on his solo album. Rating 6

YOU WANTED THE BEST - What a cool concept! The idea of having all four members on lead vocals is incredible! Because of this the verses are excellent, but the chorus is a big letdown. What are these Aaah Aaah Aaahs doing there? Does sound a little corny. But the verses make it cool. Rating 7

RAISE YOUR GLASSES - Paul, you are the man!!! Paul knocks out another killer here. The song continually builds momentum and explodes into a towering chorus, that you will be singing for months. Rating 9

I FINALLY FOUND MY WAY - Itıs great to hear The Catmanıs raspy vocals on this one! His voice really suits it and when Paul sings with him it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Itıs a shame he didnıt get a writing credit on the album. In terms of ballads, its not the new Beth (which is a good thing), and is as good as Everytime I Look at You. Rating 8

DREAMINı - Paul you have done it again! Another great song, and this one is more experimental than his others. His other tracks are in your face rockers whereas this one is more thought provoking. Its almost like The Elder meets Revenge. I must admit that I was a bit surprised that Bruce Kulick wrote this one with Paul, but being a Bruce fan I didnıt mind. Rating 8

JOURNEY OF 1000 YEARS - This is another one that belongs on Geneıs Solo album. More of an epic than a song. The only cool part of this one is the resurfacing of the section from Psycho Circus toward the end. Rating 6

Individual Members Performance

PAUL - This guy is KISS!!! Paul puts out a killer performance on this album and doesnıt have one crappy song. Considering he co-wrote all his songs plus Peterıs he exceeded all expectation. Rating 10

GENE - Well, I have to tip my hat to Gene. He wrote all his songs by himself plus You Wanted The Best which is a pretty good effort. Rating 7

ACE - It would have been cool to hear another song from the Spaceman. But the solos and lead work are pretty cool. Rating 6

PETER - Well there is some pretty good drumming on this album and I just hope that it is Peter behind the kit. It would have been nice for the Catman to have had a song writing credit. Rating 6

Overall, I think this is a great album that exceeds expectations. But twelve songs would have been nice and given the album a little more length. I rate this album to be as good as Revenge (my favourite KISS album of all time). Their last tour was mega beyond belief and now we eagerly look forward to the next one.......

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