In the midst of the MTV driven hoopla of KISS shedding the makeup the fact this is a seminal disk was lost on most. It is  a shame because fresh of the "Failure" of "Creatures of the Night", Kiss realized a change was sorely needed and boy did they nail it and The Metal years were born.

Fresh of the commercial disaster that was the disco influenced early 80's, KISS aspired to not relive past glories, but to jump ahead of it's classic rock goodness by hopping on the Metal express. "Creatures of the Night', 'Lick it up" and "Animalize" embarked on a new era for one of rocks greatest outfits.

"Creatures of the Night" was brilliant in it's own right. Heavy and Moody it was a much needed diversion from the dance influenced 80's. Overall it still feels like a classic KISS album though. It could best be described as moody Led Zepplin. "Lick it Up" changed that in a big way.

Out was the makeup, Ace and almost all of the blues influences that defined a generation of rock. In was the wailing of new guitarist Vinnie Vincent, a newfound sense of aggression and list songs tailor made for rocks foremost power drummer; Eric Carr (R.I.P.), who joined the band for the Creatures disk.

Standouts tracks include the almost embarrassingly simplistic title track (they had to think; "Could it really be that easy?") The wickedly aggressive Gene Simmons track "Young and Wasted" and the brilliant rap/narrative styling of "All Hells Breakin' Loose"

The Metal years were short lived unfortunately. A substandard follow up disk ("Animalize") propelled the band to rediscovered glory with the commercial success that was the 80's anthem "Heavens on Fire". The newfound success led KISS right down MTV lane into the Glam years.

How quickly we forget life's lessons.
In the midst of the MTV driven hoopla of KISS shedding the makeup the fact this is a seminal disk was lost on most. It is  a shame because fresh of the "Failure" of "Creatures of the Night", Kiss realized a change was sorely needed and boy did they nail it and The Metal years were born. Fresh of the commercial disaster that was the disco influenced early 80's, KISS aspired to not relive past glories, but to jump ahead of it's classic rock goodness by hopping on the Metal express. "Creatures of the Night', 'Lick it up" and "Animalize" embarked on a new era for one of rocks greatest outfits. "Creatures of the Night" was brilliant in it's own right. Heavy and Moody it was a much needed diversion from the dance influenced 80's. Overall it still feels like a classic KISS album though. It could best be described as moody Led Zepplin. "Lick it Up" changed that in a big way. Out was the makeup, Ace and almost all of the blues influences that defined a generation of rock. In was the wailing of new guitarist Vinnie Vincent, a newfound sense of aggression and list songs tailor made for rocks foremost power drummer; Eric Carr (R. I.P.), who joined the band for the Creatures disk. Standouts tracks include the almost embarrassingly simplistic title track (they had to think; "Could it really be that easy? ") The wickedly aggressive Gene Simmons track "Young and Wasted" and the brilliant rap/narrative styling of "All Hells Breakin' Loose"

The Metal years were short lived unfortunately. A substandard follow up disk ("Animalize") propelled the band to rediscovered glory with the commercial success that was the 80's anthem "Heavens on Fire". The newfound success led KISS right down MTV lane into the Glam years. How quickly we forget life's lessons.