Revenge is the hardest, heaviest hitting
KISS album since
Creatures Of The Night. For this one the band enlisted the midas touch of
Bob Ezrin, who produced
Destroyer. But the biggest help they got was in the form of
Vinnie Vincent. He was brought back into the fold to help write songs for the album. What's weird is that
Gene and
Paul would even put themselves in this position given that they fired him for unethical behavior as well as being sued by him a few years after that. Oh well...
With him on board, the sound was definitely harder and faster. And that was a good thing. Also on board for drum duties is
Eric Singer, taking over for
Eric Carr who was hospitalize at the time. He would pass away a short time later. The album itself was dedicated to his memory as well as getting the final song on the album with
Carr Jam 1981, which he recorded shortly after joining the band.
Unholy set's the table off on the right foot. This is the balliest song in sound and style in their existence. Could not have opened with a better song. I remember hearing that even
Steve Vai sought out
Bruce Kulick to give him props for his leads on the song. Nice.
God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You is another fantastic song. Of note, during the making of the album,
Eric Carr was still a member of
KISS, but had open heart surgery. So when he felt good enough to leave the hospital, he was able to make his final apperance as a member of
KISS in the music video, even though it's not him playing.
The opening riff to
Take It Off is pure coolness. And
Everytime I Look At You is one of the best power ballads with the string sections.
Fave Songs:
Unholy, Take It Off, God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II, Domino, Every Time I Look At You and
I Just Wanna MVP goes to
God Gave Rock 'N' Roll. Very cool album cover. The exterior represents the interior to a Tee.