Here is the COS review of a French-Canadian fan from Montreal. Before I start, let me say that the Kiss Asylum is the best Web Site I've seen. I visit it every single day of the week! Keep up the good work!

I really didn't know what to expect from the album, cause I read reviews of it before actually listening to the songs, and all the fuss about KISS turning grunge influenced my first listening of the tracks. But after a while, I ended up wondering why some people think this album is so grunge. Once you've passed the surprise of the new sound, you realize that this is a true KISS album.

Carnival of Souls is to me the best KISS album since Creatures of the Night.

So, here is my COS review song by song (can't wait to buy the CD this week-end, I'm tired of listening to my crappy AVI files.)

1- Hate - Some people say its Unholy pushed further. To me, it's Unholy with a boring melody. I don't really like this song... for now, cause after 18 years of being a KISS fan, I realize that Gene's songs generally grow on you. I should wait a couple of months before giving a definite opinion.

2- Rain - A great Paul song, and a very heavy one. The verse is a bit strange, maybe because we're not used to ear Paul sings that low. Paul's singing is absolutely awesome on this one (just hear him scream "Wash me like a hurricane" knocks you off your socks).

3- Master & Slave - Now this one is great ! Another demonstration of Paul's vocal skills. One of my favorite of the album. Everything is great in this song: the verse, the chorus, the tempo change, the bass that plays alone near the end. A KISS Classic!

4- Childhood's Ends - A very surprising Gene song. And I love it. Reminds me of his solo album, but much better. The chorus is kind of hypnotizing. When you hear this song, you just can't get it out of your head for a while. It's a nice melody with a macabre tone. A very good song.

5- I Will Be There - This one I first had problems with. Paul's singing is low. The melody reminds me of some material on his solo album (Ain't Quite Right). Not his best ballad, but I feel this song is growing on me.

6- Jungle - A pure KISS Classic. One of the best KISS song in a long time. Now this is real Rock & Roll! I don't know what Paul ate before recording these songs, but he really sounds furious on this album. And it's great! Only bad note: the end is much too long.

7- Seduction of the Innocent - Absolutely great song. Very unusual. The verse has a great Middle-East color and the chorus has an beautiful melody. I wish people stop saying a song is Beatle-ish every time they hear a good melody. The mix of exotic verse and melodic chorus is absolutely delightful. I love every single bit of it.

8- It Never Goes Away - The beginning reminds me of Not for the Innocent. One of the best vocal performance of Paul I've ever heard. A very dark song for Paul, but a very good song.

9- I Confess - Not much to say about this one. The weakest song of the album IMO.

10- In My Head - Dark, nasty... obnoxious! Pure horror song. One of the best demon song Gene wrote in a long time. Gene Simmons sounds like the Devil himself on this one! One of my favorite!

11- In the Mirror - I had to listen to this one a couple of times before writing my review. Not a good sign. Lukewarm is the word that comes to my mind. The chorus is not bad. An OK song at best.

12- I Walk Alone - The first and last KISS song featuring Bruce on lead vocal. His voice is great! The song is not bad, but since it has a different style and a new voice, it doesn't sounds like a KISS song at all.

There it is. My humble opinion. My only hope is that the next KISS album with the original line-up (the KISS a loved so much 18 years ago) will be as good as this one. Even if I don't mind the darker side of this album, I wish KISS will come back to a more positive approach on the next album. After all, one of the main reason I love KISS is their "Don't-compromise-and-have-fun" attitude: "I just need a will of my own, and the balls to stand alone... cause I believe in me !" It may sound silly at times, but I prefer that to suicidal tendencies!