"Psycho Circus" Single Reviews

From: Randall Clark

Hey. I've been listening to the new single for about four days now. Every day before I go to work I dial up the net and listen to the song. I think it's great! I really think it shines. Peter sounds awesome (and I firmly believe that it is Peter Criss playing those drums), Gene's bass thumps, Paul sounds incredible and Ace is shining. I personally feel that the magic is definately there like it once was.

Give Peter a break. He has gone through a lot and I seriously doubt he would come all this way to just bail out again. His drums do sound heavy and dark. The beat gets my blood pumping and that is awesome. I have always prefered Peter over any of the other drummers. I loved Eric Carr and the man played with all his heart and his solos were something of legend (believe me, I know!). But he didn't carry that aura Peter did and once again does. Peter sort of melds into the songs and gives it a life that it couldn't have without him. This song proves that point.

As far as Ace sounds, I think he gave the song what it needed. Some people feel he could have done better and that's all right. You have to remember though, this isn't Ace flying solo. This is KISS and I think he gave the song what he needed. Ace is more of a melodic guitarist (listen to any song. Most of the time his solo has a melody you can't get out of your head) and he shines in that department here. I'm sure we'll hear something harder from him and it, as well, will carry a melody.

I feel Paul sings his heart out. He sounds confident. Something I haven't heard in his voice since the 70's. Don't get me wrong. He always sounds good, but there's something in his voice we haven't heard in years. Like I said, confident. He grooves along side Ace once again. In my mind, when Ace and Paul are playing side by side there's a chemistry like no other pairing of guitarists. Face it. Hey, I know Bruce is a great guitarist but Bruce and Paul didn't (& don't) come close to the way Ace and Paul play together. It's extraordinary. Not many musicians carry the kind of chemistry these two (and all four together) do.

Gene's bass thumps. I can't wait to hear him sing. Even if he doesn't scream or sound "evil" he's still the demon. I mean, his voice isn't all that it used to be. We can all testify to that. But the man can still carry a tune and still make it rock. No matter how he sounds, He's the demon. His bass on this song seems to suggest that. It is heavy and dark like the drums. Once again, no rhythem section sounds like Gene and Peter. They build the beat from each other. One thing that has been underestimated over the years is how good Gene Simmons is on bass. Listen to all those songs. Especially with the original four. The bass line is usually something different than the guitars. It gives the melody of the Vocal and lead guitar a base to support themselves upon.

All in all I give the song a 5 out of 5, a thumbs up, a positive! I can't wait to hear more. And this is definately the original four but not from the 70's, rather they're from the 90's and you can tell. For those of you who doubt the song or the album I only have one thing to say: Wait until the you see the show and then tell us what you think of the song and the album.




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