Yo there !! I've been a Kiss fan all my life since grade 2 (when I was 6/7). I'm 17 now, I play drums (since i was 7) and love Eric Singer's style. I know Kiss from top to bottom. To start off, I know that Carnival of Souls definately ranks in the top 3 Kiss CD's, which, would have to be Kiss (the first rockin album) from `74, Destroyer from `76, Creatures from `82, and of course, COS. I had many chances and offers to buy COS as a bootleg since last year, but I felt it wasnt right to own a peice of KISStory that hasnt been put out yet. In that case, I bought COS the very first day it came out. So, in this review, I know what a good Kiss CD sounds like, and here is my two cents on one of Kiss's greatest records. (CD version)
1. Hate
You want heavy rock ?? Well here it is ! Gene and the boys let you know
what real hard rock sounds like and they kick ass on this one. Not only
is Hate mean, wicked, and heavy, it really stands up to Unholy, maybe
even better. Great Kiss tune, one of my favs on the CD. I give it 8/10.
2. Rain
Now Kiss puts a crunch on the guitars like no other Kiss song. Paul
kicks major ass on his vocals. Awesome guitar work. This song has been
thought to have a grungy sound, I dont think so. Kiss is Kiss, and this
tune rocks heavy, and proud. I give it a 8/10.
3. Master & Slave
Now this is one of Pauls BEST Kiss tunes to date !! My absolute fav on
the CD. Guitars are loud, Eric plays excellent, and Gene shows what his
fingers can do. I crank this one on 20 whenever i can. Great great Kiss
song, one of the best. "Wake up and start to AAHHHHHHHHHH" is my fav
Paul line. It deserves a 10/10.
4. Childhood's End
Whoa, this is my favorite Gene tune besides Duece !!! Like Duece, or
Charisma, this is the real Gene Simmons the way he was made to sound.
The lyics are one of his best I heard. "You got something about ya, you
got something I need". It needs a 8.5/10.
5. I Will Be There
A nice song for Paul's son, Evan. Though its a ballad with accoustics,
it doesnt lose the dark and heavy sound that COS has, its kinda like a
dark ballad. Great solo from Bruce, and strong lyrics. I give it a 7/10.
6. Jungle
Now this one is awesome !! Paul is shining on this one, and the bass
kicks major ass (its Bruce on bass, right?) Jungle is my the fav among
my friends, and it shows on the radio also. I like the way Eric drums on
this one, he seems relaxed and in control. I give it a 9/10.
7. In My Head
Whoa, another heavy heavy tune......Kiss style !! Gene sounds wicked
and Paul has some pretty nasty riffs on this one, as well as Bruce (who
played his best in all his Kiss years) This is wicked stuff, I only
think Eric's drums should have been a bit louder, but it still kicks
ass. 7/10.
8. It Never Goes Away
This one has Paul singing dark. The intro reminds me alot of "Not for
The Innocent", as other fans noticed. A small crunch in the guitars,
vocals in the chorus are great. A 6.5/10.
9. Seduction Of The Innocent
Another one of my Gene Favs !! Great Chorus , one of the best tones I
heard Gene sing in. Guitars are dark again. Great tune, the drums work
is really cool. I give it a 7.5/10.
10. I Confess
I Confess is the kind of song that could have been on Revenge. It
reminds me a bit of "Thou Shalt Not", it has a similar taste. I give it
a 6/10.
11. In The Mirror
YES !! Now this song toally Kicks ass !! My second fav on the CD. Crank
this one up, and then you'll know why. My fav Eric Singer tune besides
"Domino". The pause and drum fills in the middle of this one bring back
the early days of "Love Her All I Can". Its cool to see Kiss staying in
touch with the past, bringing in the good old drums once again. It
deserves a 9.5/10.
12. I Walk Alone
I wonder if Bruce layed on his back like Ace did with "Shock Me"? Not
only is Bruce an awesome guitar player, he shows he can sing as well.
This one is unique obviously, Bruce sings low toned which suits the song
perfectly. Cool song, although the backwards drum part is
kinda.......... I give it a 7/10.
Well, there you have it. My point of view on one of Kiss's best CDs. I know this album really well, and based my ratings on what I feel the song deserves. In closing, Carnival Of Souls rocks totally !!!!!!!! Although I miss Eric Carr in Kiss, this CD is ROCKIN!!!. It makes ya wonder what kind of 90's sound Kiss would have if Carr were still here. Other then that, this CD is SO DAMN AWESOME !!!! Keep rocking with Kiss, The greatest band on earth !! I know I will.