Independent review

In 80, Kiss removed their masks for the first time and in honor of this released almost a pop-album, in 81 they changed the lineup for the first time and recorded a conceptual failing album, albeit under the guidance of Bob Ezrin (who two years before this recorded The Wall itself). The band is not accustomed to failures, and it was time to win back partially lost positions. The first step was the release of Creatures of the night - a new "masked" album. It starts with the thunderous drums of Eric Carr and a signature wall of sound from Simmons. It is immediately clear that Kiss are back. There can be no complaints about Stanley's vocals in this style in principle, and the new guitarist Vinnie Vincent shows himself from the best side (although Frehley was listed in the credits, he did not play on the disc, because he left the team for many years). Creatures of the night became the only single in the UK and took 34th place. True, Vincent can be heard a little later, in the title track the solo was performed by invited guitarist Steve Farris. Next follows typical early Kiss - Saint and sinner with Gene's vocals. You have to understand that the sound was chosen very successfully, this was 82nd after all, it was no longer fashionable to record like before. It was necessary to combine the old style with a new sound. By the way, such a sound was largely chosen by the leaders of Kiss themselves, who at that time for the most part produced their creations themselves. I love it loud - that which 80s hard rock degenerated into. Def Leppard (and Gorky Park, by the way, too) completely ran this style into the ground, and Kiss themselves periodically wrote in it until the beginning of the 90s. By the way, the only single in the USA from this LP, which, however, did not even get into the Top 100. I still love you - a slow composition from Paul, personally for me it enters the pantheon of the best rock ballads. Looking at COTN over the years, it becomes clear that this is hardly the most important milestone in the history of heavy music, but this is definitely one of the classic Kiss albums. Possibly even the last one.

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