Forty Years Later: KISS’s 'Asylum' Remains a Bold Chapter
Forty years after its release, KISS’s 1985 album Asylum endures as a bold chapter in the band’s catalog. The record reunited the group's hard-rock instincts with hook-driven songwriting, and its impact is still felt by fans and critics alike.
Personal Reflections and First Impressions
I first heard Asylum on cassette during a summer in Ireland, bought at Golden Discs and played obsessively on a battery-powered Walkman. That personal first listen — and the vivid memories it stirred — is why this record remains so resonant for me.
Album Highlights
The album opens with “King of the Mountain,” a commanding rocker that sets the tone immediately. Gene Simmons follows with the punchy “Any Way You Slice It,” where Bruce Kulick’s guitar work stands out and gives the track much of its bite.
Paul Stanley’s performance on “Who Wants to Be Lonely” is one of the album’s emotional centers. “Trial By Fire” captures a darker, more urgent mood that still recalls late-night drives through Belfast.
“Tears Are Falling” blends melodic urgency with emotional weight, and “Secretly...