Customer Reviews

Hotter Than Hell

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Latest in my series of Kiss reviews: My goal is to listen to and review every album before the release of Sonic Boom in October 2009.

HOTTER THAN HELL was my first Kiss album. I had it on a scratched up piece of vinyl that I don't have anymore. Because of the condition of the record and my turntable at the time, I had no idea just how bad HOTTER THAN HELL sounds. And it does sound bad. Kids these days, used to ProTools and gloss, might find it unlistenable. Despite that I have no choice but to give it five stars.

Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise produced again, two guys who didn't know how to achieve the heavy rock that Kiss wanted, but tried anyway. The result is a murky impenetrable sound with drums that sound like Peter's banging away on wooden blocks. The cymbals are nearly impossible to hear. Yet this white noise serves only to make the album heavier and darker to these nostalgic ears.

"Got To Choose" kicks off the album, a Kiss classic. I remember playing it to my 8th grade class much to the teacher's dismay. Gene and Paul sing harmonies together, but this is a Paul song. The acoustic version from MTV UNPLUGGED is also quite excellent. "Parasite" follows, an Ace song that Gene sings and one of the fastest tunes Kiss were to do in the early days. The ALIVE! version is more fully realized. A ballad of sorts, "Goin' Blind" follows. This is a Gene song from his pre-Kiss days, previously known as "Little Lady" and co-written by his Wicked Lester bandmate Steve Coronel. (In its stellar MTV UNPLUGGED version, Gene sings a verse as "Little lady from the land beneath the sea".) This version doesn't do it justice, but lines like "I'm 93, you're 16" hint at territory that Gene would revisit later in other songs. The title track, "Hotter Than Hell" is a Paul song and one of the best on the album if not in Kisstory. The riff and coda are both so memorable. (I miss the days when Kiss used to tack on these extra riffs as codas, they were always so heavy and cool.) Side 1 ends with "Let Me Go, Rock And Roll", a fast rock n' roll Chuck Berry guitar number which I always found comical due to Gene high voice at the beginning. The ALIVE! version has become a classic.

Side 2 begins with a "lost" album cut called "All The Way". It's not played live often but it has one of my favourite choruses: "You just keep-a-talkin' louder, complain to your mother and father, one of these days you'll push me all the way." You just can't get the melody out of your head. Plus it has cowbell! "Watchin' You", a heavy Gene song that sounds like a Sabbath outtake, follows. This song was even revisited for Kiss ALIVE III in a funkier guise. "Mainline" is a Paul song, sung by Peter Criss. It's a little more rock n' roll again, but with that great chrous melody. "Comin' Home" is another Paul song that ended up on MTV UNPLUGGED. Strange how many of these songs sounded great acoustically! It was always an album favourite of mine with great lyrics. The album ends with the dirgey "Strange Ways", a Gene Simmons written song, sung by Peter Criss. This is probably the only song on the album I don't like very much, even though it is so heavy and Sabbathy.

HOTTER THAN HELL will probably never be remixed to make it sound clearer, and maybe it never should be. Even the 1997 remastering did nothing to improve its sound. If that doesn't bother you, then delve in and discover a true Kiss classic. Just look at how many songs keep popping up on setlists to this day. That's the sign of a classic album.

Kiss released their self-titled album in early`74 and toured the much as possible to get themselves famous and a bit of money.Then they returned to the cassablanca records studio to make a new album in hope it would be succesfull.The album didn t do much better than the first ,but with patience the album reached gold status.

On the charts it went at the top 100 but disapeared of the chart fast.It was containing distortion (Apearently on watching you) wich wasn t helping at all ,but they persevered and after the alive!album it went gold .The album is real heavy this is not the dynasty style at all ,the guitar heavy especialy on parasite.It is often criticized because it was their second album in one year ,but it did good even if not better as the debut but is one of their heaviest album (after;creatures of the night,revenge,destroyer ect.)If you ask yourself why is the cover japanese style its because the art director wanted to match the kabuki makeups with the cover.

got to chose;a good opener ,a song about a guy who gotta chose between two girls good chorus.10 on 10.

parasite ;the heavy guitar makes this song great the only heavier track might be watching you,about a woman .Ace wrote the song one of my fav on the album.10 on 10.

going blind;good ballad ,in the song a 16 year girl is with a way too old guy for her.8 on 10

hotter than hell;the most popular song on the album its the title track after all.a married girl mets another guy.a great track ,possibly my fav on the album.10 on 10

let me go rock`n`roll;the shortest song here,great but will become better live a good studio version of it.9 on 10(its way too short!).

all the way;good song ,sung by gene not quite famous,underated but good!7 on 10.

watching you;along with parasite,hotter than hell this is on the album s top 3.wonderfull song by gene (he also sings it)real heavy with the cool superhuman voice., great live.10 on 10.

mainline;sung by peter criss his vocals fits the song catchy chorus a hight point on the album.its not that heavy,but being a huge peter criss fan i love it.8 on 10

comin home;the only song i dont like on the album its ok,but im not a fan of this track.6 on 10

strange ways;sung by peter,good nothing less or more.7 on 10

Finaly a great album fan or casuals will probly like it,if not for the sound the album would might have done better as kiss say they were not happy with its sound .this rewiew is my opinion youn can think differntly or i could be wrong ,you decide!

THIS ONE'S MAYBE KISS BEST ALBUM YET! I REALLY LOVE IT!

IT'S HEAVY!

SOME SONGS ARE SOME OF KISS GREATEST SONGS!

GOT TO CHOOSE:9/10. HOT RIFF! GREAT BASS LINE!I ENJOY THIS SONG!

PARASITE:10/10.THE RIFF IS HOTTER THAN HELL!MAYBE KISS BEST SONG

GOIN' BLIND:10/10. KISS BEST BALLAD! GENE'S SOUNDS GREAT!

HOTTER THAN HELL:10/10. HEAVY SONG! HOT, HEAVY RIFF!

LET ME GO, ROCK `N' ROLL:7/10.I'VE NEVER ENJOYED IT, BUT GOOD!

ALL THE WAY:8/10. GREAT SONG. GENE'S VOCALS ARE GOOD ON IT!

WATCHIN' YOU:10/10. HOT! GREAT SONG! IT'S A LITTLE BIT HEAVY!

MAILINE:6/10. I'VE NEVER LIKE THIS ONE, BUT IT DOESN'T SUCK!

COMIN' HOME:6/10. NOT TO GOOD,BUT NOT BAD EITHER!

STRANGE WAYS:10/10. HEAVY, GREAT SONG! I LOVE IT! GREAT WRITING!

Makeup clad rockers KISS released their follow-up to their self-titled debut entitled Hotter Than Hell in October of 1974. After disappointing results with the debut, the band went in the studio with Kerner and Wise once again producing to create this album that was heavier than its predecessor. I first got this album on cassette in December of 1988 but the sequence of tracks were way off than the original record. It wasn't until I first got the CD in March of 1993 that I got the album with its true running order. The 1997 remaster is superb. Classics on this album are the opening Got to Choose which sounds like a Humble Pie song, Ace's classics Parasite and the closing Strange Ways, Goin' Blind, Comin' Home, Let Me Go Rock and Roll and of course the title cut. Strange enough, this album was ignored when first released as Americans were still digging fluff like Elton John and one-hit wonders like Terry Jacks. Today, Hotter Than Hell still holds up well. Highly recommended!

Hotter Than Hell (1974.) KISS's second album.

In the earlier half of 1974, KISS released their debut album. It was an excellent album, but sadly, it failed to sell well. They needed to release a follow-up as quickly as possible. While they were out touring, they rush-recorded their second album, Hotter Than Hell, and released it almost immediately. How is the band's sophomore album? Read on for my review.

I should probably state ahead of time that the rush-recording of this album really shows in many places. For example, the drums don't sound all that great in many places, and the sound quality really takes a hit due to the limited production. Those flaws aside, the band did manage to create another excellent album. The opener, Got To Choose, is a track about a man who forces his woman to choose between him or another man. In addition to excellent lyrical work, the track features excellent guitar playing by both Paul and Ace. Ace's solo is killer. Parasite never became as popular as some of the other tracks on the album, but it's also an excellent track. The riffs here, as well as Gene's vocals, are all great. Goin' Blind, the album's next track, is also good. Once again, Ace has a solo in the song, and that helps to improve the overall quality. The big hit on this album is, rather obviously, the title track. The chorus is one of the most memorable in a KISS song, and the guitar work is, once again, nothing short of excellent. With Let Me Go Rock And Roll, the band implements elements of fifties rock into their sound. What's really surprising is that this ends up working very well! Track eight, Mainline, features Peter Criss on lead vocals! For being the band's drummer, he sure can sing well. I never expected him to be able to sing that well. Strange Ways, one of the heavier tunes on the album, finishes it off, and does a good job of it. All in all, another excellent album from the band.

Overall I feel that this album is very good. I don't think it's quite as good as the debut (I think the debut is only marginally better, though), but I remain confident that this is one hell of an album. If you're a KISS fan, don't hesitate to add this little gem to your collection.

Hotter than hell has the coolest album cover in history, and the sound of the album is the creepiest ever.
The quality of the songs are maybe a little step down from the debut, but it's very little.

1. Got To Choose - Opens in great style. Kinda riffy and heavy. The high pitched chorus is very cool.
2. Parasite - One of the best Kiss songs ever. Heavy. Riffmeister Frehley.
3. Goin' Blind - Old Wicked Lester song rewritten for this album. It's one amazing song. Absolutely wonderful. Kinda like a ballad yet dark.
4. Hotter Than Hell - This song is in the classic rock street. Simple and catchy. Gooood stuff.
5.Let Me Go Rock 'n Roll - I would say this was Kiss' first anthem. I love it, but this version is just over two minutes, while live it's over five. The Alive! version smokes this version.
6. All The Way - A forgotten jewel. Great anthemic chorus. Where did this Gene classic go?
7. Watchin' You - Another true classic. Riff after riff. Everbody needs this song.
8. Mailnline - A rootsy Rock'n roll track which Criss sings. Good song, but it is a little pale compared to other stuff here.
9. Comin' Home - This is a memorable tune. Simple and to the point.
10. Strange Ways - One Kiss' heaviest tracks. Heavy riff, great vocals and amazing Frehley soloing. Another forgotten gem.

Maybe not as classic as the debut, but it's a quality record with some forgotten great songs, plus this version of Goin' Blind is the one to get.

Kiss' second album, and the second one released in 1974, contains a number of fine songs, most notably the impressive heavy metal classic "Goin' Blind", the anthemic mid-tempo rockers "Hotter Than Hell" and "Mainline", and the fun, upbeat pop-metal of "Let Me Go, Rock n' Roll".
But compared to its predecessor, it doesn't leave as strong an overall impression, mainly due to the presence of a number of lesser songs....the hooks and the riffs aren't quite as strong as on "Kiss", and there are some downright forgettable songs here.

"Hotter Than Hell" does contain some fine cuts as well, though, and not all of them can be found on compilations or the "Alive" albums, so the serious fan will definitely want this album. It certainly isn't bad, in fact it's pretty good, it's just not great.

Hotter Than Hell (1974.) KISS's second album.

In the earlier half of 1974, KISS released their debut album. It was an excellent album, but sadly, it failed to sell well. They needed to release a follow-up as quickly as possible. While they were out touring, they rush-recorded their second album, Hotter Than Hell, and released it almost immediately. How is the band's sophomore album? Read on for my review.

I should probably state ahead of time that the rush-recording of this album really shows in many places. For example, the drums don't sound all that great in many places, and the sound quality really takes a hit due to the limited production. Those flaws aside, the band did manage to create another excellent album. The opener, Got To Choose, is a track about a man who forces his woman to choose between him or another man. In addition to excellent lyrical work, the track features excellent guitar playing by both Paul and Ace. Ace's solo is killer. Parasite never became as popular as some of the other tracks on the album, but it's also an excellent track. The riffs here, as well as Gene's vocals, are all great. Goin' Blind, the album's next track, is also good. Once again, Ace has a solo in the song, and that helps to improve the overall quality. The big hit on this album is, rather obviously, the title track. The chorus is one of the most memorable in a KISS song, and the guitar work is, once again, nothing short of excellent. With Let Me Go Rock And Roll, the band implements elements of fifties rock into their sound. What's really surprising is that this ends up working very well! Track eight, Mainline, features Peter Criss on lead vocals! For being the band's drummer, he sure can sing well. I never expected him to be able to sing that well. Strange Ways, one of the heavier tunes on the album, finishes it off, and does a good job of it. All in all, another excellent album from the band.

In the late nineties, KISS's albums got remastered and rereleased. The remastering makes these classic albums sound better than ever, and the expanded liner notes are a real treat as well. I was hoping they'd put some bonus tracks on these reissues, but sadly, they didn't. Oh, well. That's not gonna change my views of the album.

Overall I feel that this album is very good. I don't think it's quite as good as the debut (I think the debut is only marginally better, though), but I remain confident that this is one hell of an album. If you're a KISS fan, don't hesitate to add this little gem to your collection.

Got to Choose:6/10 Nice way to start the album.
Parasite:8/10 Heavy riff and hard rockin' song.
Goin' Blind:9/10 The song creep's me out but, I love it.
Hotter Than Hell:8/10 Great hard rock song with cool lyric's
Let Me Go, Rock & Roll:7/10 I love all the guitar solo's
All the Way:10/10 I don't know why but, to me this is the best song on the album.
Watchin' You:8/10 The best guitar riff on the album but, the solo is lame.
Mainline:6/10 A real weak song.
Comin' Home:7/10 Cool song but, sound's like got to choose. just better lyric's.
Strange Ways:9/10 Awesome song with ace's best guitar solo ever.
This album is heavy. I like it alot. A must for kiss fans.

This album has much better energy,compositions and arrangements than dressed to kill.The sound quality on this remastered edition is not as bad as the original release and does not need to be as crisp as dressed to kill in order to be a better album.The only better Kiss albums are rock n'roll over ,destroyer and possibly the debut.Although the latter is a matter of taste.