Jason Eccles | Examiner
“Hotter Than Hell” is the 2nd studio album by American hard rock band, Kiss. It was released in 1974 on Casablanca Records and produced by Kenny Kerner & Richie Wise. The line-up for the album was Paul Stanley (vocals/guitar), Ace Frehley (guitar), Gene Simmons (bass/vocals) and Peter Criss (drums)
Introduction
Producers Richie Wise and Kenny Kerner moved to Los Angeles sometime after the debut Kiss album. Since they were chosen to produce “Hotter Than Hell”, the band moved to LA to work with them. Musically darker than the debut due to the lyrics of some songs, and the way it was produced, this album has a different sound to it than the first. The album art is Japanese manga style artwork of the band, Japanese writing which means jigoku no sakebi, which translates to “The shout of Hell” in English. The front cover also features the Japanese symbol for chikara, which translates to the word “power” in English. The back features individual shots of the band and one picture of all four members in makeup. Is it any good? Let’s find out!
Got to Choose
This is filled with power chords and raw rock power. With great verses and backup vocals, it will keep you singing along while you play air guitar. This one is a rocker with a melody to it. All in all, it is a great opener for the album, and needed to be if it was to eclipse the band’s debut album. This is a song about how the narrator has been cheated
on, and she has to make a decision on who she’s going to stay with – him or the other man.
Parasite
Here is one of the hardest tracks on the album. Ace Frehley was originally meant to be on lead vocals, but he wasn’t comfortable with his singing ability at that time, so Gene Simmons was given the role. Keeping the energy up, this one fits well with Gene Simmons’ voice. It is a song that deals with a woman who won’t let go and clings on to every hope of being together, even though the narrator is only out for a bit of fun.
Goin’ Blind
This is somewhat controversial, lyrically, given that it is about a 93-year old man and a 16-year old girl who are in a relationship, offered as a mid-tempo, nearly hypnotic song. It has been said that the line “I’m 93, you’re 16” wasn’t included in the lyrics when it was originally written, but was suggested during recording. On the song there is a short but astounding Ace Frehley guitar solo that stands out as one of the great moments of the album.
Hotter Than Hell
This is the age-old tale of a man lusting after a married woman, set to great guitars and crashing drums. Paul Stanley has said he more or less re-wrote Free’s “All Right Now” because of how much the song meant to him and the fact he was a big fan of the band. Staying with the Kiss theme of women, this track is about a stunningly beautiful woman that everyone wants, and the narrator will go to the ends of the earth to have his way with her.
Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll
Here is one of the few Kiss songs to have had the lyrics written before the music. Paul Stanley had been working on a riff, and the lyrics were written based on it by Gene Simmons while on break from the non music job he had at the time. It is a song that is often played live at a Kiss concert and was originally to be called “Baby, Let Me Go”.
All the Way
This starts with an incredible opening riff and some fun cowbell included in the drums. With an edgy sound to it, this one will cause you to pump your fist in the air as you sing along. Lyrically, it is an almost last warning to the woman to quit treating him the way she does, or he is gone. The narrator is saying that she will eventually push him away too far and there will be no coming back from it.
Watchin’ You
This is an underrated rocker with a great riff. The catchy chorus will keep you singing along. The blistering opening riff starts the song off and the energy continues through the whole song, with incredible drumming to go along with it. The song is about a woman that everyone can’t take their eyes off, even though they’re not really aware they are doing it. There is a neat little twist at the end where the narrator becomes the watched, as he finally gets with the woman of his dreams.
Mainline
The song features Peter Criss on lead vocals, and has a memorable chorus and riff. It is laid back, but you can feel the barely restrained power wanting to break free. Another song where the drums are accented by cowbell, this one keeps the pace of the album moving right along. Listening to this one, fans will probably wonder why Criss didn’t do far more lead vocals, as his raspy voice is well suited for rock.
Comin’ Home
This is touching, sweet and almost romanticizes life on the road with someone you love waiting for you at home. While it slows the pace of the album drastically, it shows Kiss can do a love song with a rock feel that keeps it from being soppy. It is a song about being on the road, away from home, away from family and, more importantly, the narrator’s love interest.
Strange Ways
This offers some very loud, very heavy Ace Frehley guitar work. Drums and bass combine to make a rhythmic heavy, almost war dance sound. The intro is heavy, dark and almost foreboding. With Peter Criss taking lead vocals once again and an astounding solo from Ace, this song is a sure winner.
Summary
The songs have the Kiss ‘feel’ to them, but overall there is a little something lacking compared to other albums they have put out. This album leaves the fan wanting a little ‘something more’ when compared it to nearly every other Kiss album. Musically it is fine, but some of the songs have far too simple lyrics and rely too much on the chorus being repeated to get it though. Overall, the production held it back because simple lyrics can be overlooked if an album is produced correctly. It can still be recommended to anyone looking to get into Kiss’ music, or anyone who is a rock fan. It is good for what it is, a second album. Quite a few bands get everything right the first time, then the second album isn’t as good, and this album is one of those. That isn’t to say it is unworthy of buying or listening to, though.
Track Listing
1. Got to Choose
2. Parasite
3. Goin’ Blind
4. Hotter Than Hell
5. Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll
6. All the Way
7. Watchin’ You
8. Mainline
9. Comin’ Home
10. Strange Ways