Creatures of the Night

Creatures of the Night steps into heavier guitar riffs, thick drums and a darker sonic picture on KISS’s tenth album. The songs keep the fun of the sing-along, yet a night-like weight and taut tension run through the whole. After the experimental predecessor, it vividly shows the band returning to hard-edged hard rock. The drive of the title track “Creatures of the Night,” the overwhelming weight of “I Love It Loud” and the aggression of “War Machine” set the record’s sturdy direction, while cuts like “Rock and Roll Hell” and “Saint and Sinner” pair heavy riffs with drama. Throughout, a stance of winning on thick sound and power rather than flashy decoration gives it a strong presence as a fresh start for 1980s KISS. Keeping stage-ready hooks while lowering its center of gravity more than ever, its production stands out. In a period of adversity, the band powerfully rebuilt its rock-and-roll core — a fulfilling record.