Thank you for the opportunity to express our opinions about Carnival Of Souls. Being a long time and devoted Kiss fan (6 times a witness to Reunion Tour) I came to expect another "bouncy" KISS CD...With Tunes devoted to all the wonderfull sides of sexsexsex!! NOT TO BE!!

At first listen COS is "heavy" and sometimes brutal!! I printed the lyrics and listened.... I mean really listened....And studied the content as well as the music!!

Verdict: BEST CD IN KISS HISTORY!!!

Here is why:

HATE: Yes SON OF UNHOLY...Gene is awesome!! The melody is somewhat disjointed and that takes away from the strength of the tune but Gene's presence pulls the song through!! This cut is my least favorite...But it does grow on you!!
Rating: C +

RAIN: Awesome cut. The assault of guitars to start coupled with Paul's outstanding vocals make this cut spell-binding!! Here is the beginning of what I think is the most brilliantly written lyrics in KISSTORY!! A move away from sex ladden lyrics (hey thats still fun) to a more open minded study of what the world is really like. Dark ...No...Real ...Yes!!
Rating: B +

MASTER & SLAVE: Most powerfull song on the CD!! The Melody and THUMP to this cut make it a KISS Classic!! Love Paul's mastery of his vocals in the Chorus. The head bobs and the toes tap to this song every bit as much as Deuce, Strutter!!
Rating: A +

CHILDHOODS END: Love this cut!! At first listen the tune is not as powerfull...But listen to it twice and you are hooked!! Gene's lyrics are haunting and the chorus buries itself deep IN MY HEAD (later). This tune is addictive... Cool the way GENE uses lines from GOD OF THUNDER to finish the song!! Love to know if Gene had someone in mind when he wrote this!! Guitar work great!!
Rating: B+

I WILL BE THERE: Paul's vocals a little flat on this ballad and don't seem to really suit the song but the guitar work is excellent and the Lyrics are very well written, making this song a song that gets better with each listen. Plus it is the first KISS ballad that is sung for the "love of a child" (Paul's Son)
Rating: B-

THE JUNGLE: Great song!! Spectacular opening, great vocal, super lyrics!!! Another Head bobbing toe taping KISS Classic!! Chorus infectious!! Paul is possessed!! Jamming at end of cut
Rating: A+

IN MY HEAD: Hypnotic....INMYHEADINMYHEADINMYHEAD!! This title is Gene!! The bassline is superb and great guitar licks!! Love it!! KISSKISSKISS!! Gene's vocals fit this song perfectly along with his personae!!
Rating: B+

IT NEVER GOES AWAY: In the tradition of Black Sabbath. This song is a hard driving exploration of a dark world of greed, temptation, destructive force of religion and how one man can't change the evil!! Dark... yes and unKISSlike... yes!! But the topic is valid and the power of Paul's vocals combined with the strength of Bruce's guitar make this cut an interesting journey!!
Rating: B-

Seduction Of The Innocent: Indian/ Middle Eastern opening a wonderfull opening to another song that dam's the forces of organized religion in our society!! Another song well written where melody and harmony play second fiddle to the power of the lyrical arrangement!! It is great and shows another side of our favorite band....Very listenable!!
Rating: B+

I CONFESS: Another solid writing effort that explores the depth of damage facing those lost in the drug sub-culture!! Again melodies and harmonies are sacrificed to the writing!! This is so un KISS like but it makes COS a CD that you can listen to again and again!!
Rating: C+

IN THE MIRROR: Another lyrically based cut that deals with deception, lies and confusion. Paul's vocals continue to be strong and Eric pounds the bejesus out of them skins!! Bruce interweaves great guitar work!!
Rating: B

I WALK ALONE: I really enjoyed this effort from Bruce. The Lyrics are again thoughtfully constructed and illustrate a refreshing thoughtfullness!! Bruce's 3 solos really kik ass!!! Great job from a great guitarist!! Can Ace keep Up???
Rating: B

Overall , the angst over the release of COS is well justified cause this effort is extremely powerfull. The mixture of great lyrical content with superior musicianship and powerfull vocals set a standard that is very different from classic KISS!! Buy it and one for a friend!!

Finally, COS asks the question.... Can we ever go home again to CLASSIC KISS...Or has our appetite been whetted by something far more enticing!!!

WE WILL ALL SEE IN FEBRUARY.... GOOD LUCK BOYZ WE"LL BE LINED UP TO SEE WHAT THE ORIGINALS CAN DO!!!