Revisiting this classic on its 40th anniversary, Gene, Paul, and the band unleash riffs and hooks that still cut like a razor decades later.
Oh, rama-DAMN, here we go again! Y’all should just round me up and take me to the nearest mental facility. But here we are, because it’s time for CLASSIC ALBUMS!
This time, I’m diving into my favorite band, KISS, and their 1985 record, Asylum. This album hits me on multiple levels, so indulge me — I promise it’s worth it. That summer, I was in Ireland (as usual) and picked up the cassette at Golden Discs. Walkman at my side, fresh batteries, and the anticipation of a KISS album? LET’S GO!
From the first notes of “King of the Mountain,” I knew I was in for something special. Seriously — I might have peed a little. Next up, Gene Simmons hits hard with “Any Way You Slice It”, a track built to cut you to ribbons. Bruce Kulick shines, and I spent half the song picking my jaw off the ground.
“Who Wants to Be Lonely” has long been in my personal KISS canon, and in ’85 I couldn’t get enough. Paul Stanley goes all in, and the results speak for themselves. “Trial By Fire” takes me back to cruising through Belfast in my cousin Renee’s car — a reminder of just how lethal Gene can be when he’s dialed in.
Then there’s “Tears Are Falling”, packed with emotion and energy — no need to over-explain, it’s a KISS classic. Gene lands another triple in “Secretly Cruel”, and Paul slams home the go-ahead run with “Radar For Love”. Scoreboard? KISS 4, opponent 0.
The album closer, “Uh! All Night,” is the coup de grâce. That riff cuts like glass, and the chorus hits so hard it makes you want to rock (and f**k!) all night, know what I mean? It’s the perfect song for me and the boys.
Bottom line? Asylum isn’t just a fantastic KISS record (it is) — it’s a statement. The band came to kick ass and take names, and they delivered. This album remains in my rotation decades later because some memories you just can’t make up.
KISS celebrates 40 years of Asylum with a limited-edition merch drop at the Official KISS store. Snag yours while you still can!
