This one by me. I have heard the new album probably 4 times now. I will try to keep it brief, 'cause I'm sure some people don't really care. Anyway, at first I heard this album and my honest reaction was "Well, they tried" I mean they have certainly changed their sound. At first I thought, "Good effort, but they just don't cut it with this new direction" but this album grows on you. Now that I have heard it a few times, I can say that I really like this album. It is KISS.
In the beginning you won't think so, but give it a couple of listens, and KISS comes through. You just have to get used to the new direction, and I am happy with where they went. It was time to move on, and they have.
No poppy songs, no party anthems, no cheese ball ballads. I persoannly was getting tired of that anyway. Some people say it's Soundgardenish or AICish, but only slightly I think. The music resembles those bands, but it's definitly KISS.
Gene pulls it off better than Paul on this album. I hear this album and think of "Creatures" that's what it reminds me of. A heavy album, cool riffs, a new direction.
Some songs are better than others.

HATE is a great Gene song that sets the tone for the album. The first like 3 songs are KISS in their new sound, but later the songs sound like the KISS we know.
THE JUNGLE is an interesting song 'cause of the great groove, and it has more of a traditional KISS sounding chorus.
SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT sounds almost Janes Addiction. It's cool.
Paul's IT NEVER ENDS is good, it's kinda' dark but I think has a good groove & a good Chorus.

The last 3 songs are some of the best.
IN MY HEAD has a pounding beat that goes well with how Gene sings his song. I like it.
YOU CONFESS is another Gene and I really dig it. Regular style KISS yet with the new sound. It's good, it's melodic yet still heavy.
Finally TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR is Paul. I like it a lot. Good chorus, again the new sound and standard KISS coming together. Works well.
Well, that was just some of the songs that stick out as real good ones. The album is great once you give it a chance.
It would be interesting to see how it would do if it had been released, because it is absolutley new territory for KISS, but it works.