Why Paul Stanley Was ‘Lifeless Set’ In opposition to Kiss’ ‘Carnival of Souls’

Strive as he would possibly, Paul Stanley was unable to interrupt Kiss‘ trend-chasing methods when it got here time to report 1997’s Carnival of Souls.

“I used to be dead-set towards doing that type of an album,” Stanley stated of the closely grunge-influenced effort within the 2001 e-book Kiss: Behind the Masks. “I by no means believed the world wants a second-rate Soundgarden, Metallica or Alice in Chains.”

Nevertheless, Stanley in the end acquiesced to the wishes of his longtime bandmate Gene Simmons, who was enthralled with the early ’90s alternative-rock revolution. “Gene and I had discussions the place he stated, ‘I wish to be like Billy Corgan!” producer Toby Wright recalled in the identical e-book. “They have been searching for one thing a bit of darker, a bit of edgier, extra indignant.”

It wasn’t the primary time Kiss had hooked up themselves to an period’s largest musical development to extend their reputation. Every time they reached for these golden rings – together with the full-on disco of 1979’s “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” the Pink Floyd-aping 1981 idea album flop Music From ‘The Elder’ and the Bon Jovi-inspired keyboard pop of 1987’s Crazy Nights – Kiss wound up having to course-correct with a straight-up laborious rock report corresponding to 1982’s Creatures of the Night.

Hearken to Kiss’ ‘Rain’

They’d simply accomplished such a restoration with 1992’s Bob Ezrin-produced Revenge, however when it got here time to report a follow-up Simmons was desirous to strike out into new territory as soon as once more.

“Was it as trustworthy and genuine as our different stuff? No. It is like going to a different nation,” Simmons admitted to UCR in 2021. “You’re keen on the best way East Indians dance, and also you go, ‘Oh, that is cool.’ Then you definately rise up on the dance flooring and also you attempt to do it. Can I dance in addition to anyone who has been dancing East Indian dances all of their lives? No.”

A number of tracks on Carnival of Souls successfully combine the extra severe strategy of grunge with the heavy riffing of Revenge – most notably their lead single “Jungle” and the Bruce Kulick guitar showcase “In My Head.” However the sludgy tempo and gloomy temper of tracks corresponding to “Rain” and “It Never Goes Away” aren’t probably the most pure match for the band’s expertise.

Along with disagreeing in regards to the new album’s route, Simmons and Stanley have been distracted throughout its recording by discussions a few potentially lucrative reunion of Kiss’ unique lineup.

Hearken to Kiss’ ‘Hate’

“Gene and Paul’s consideration by the point the report was being combined was [with] the reunion tour,” Kulick instructed EON Music in 2022. Drummer “Eric Singer and myself communicate many instances about once we have a look at Carnival of Souls, quite a lot of the tough mixes after we recorded sounded nearer to Revenge – as a result of Toby took it yet another step when he combined it.”

When the return of Ace Frehley, Peter Criss and the band’s well-known make-up was made public in early 1996, Carnival of Souls was shelved. Bootleg copies of the album started circulating amongst collectors, nevertheless, and Kiss somewhat unceremoniously launched it on Oct. 28, 1997. A brand new prolonged title, Carnival of Souls: The Ultimate Periods, commemorated the tip of their non-makeup period.

The unique lineup rapidly started packing stadiums and arenas all around the world, so there was no tour in assist of the LP, which made little dent on the charts and rapidly pale into obscurity. In keeping with Setlist.fm, the band has by no means performed a single tune from Carnival of Souls – even throughout their rarities-heavy Kiss Kruise performances.

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