Description
Kiss – Asylum – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released on September 16, 1985, Asylum marked Kiss’s continued evolution into the glam metal era of the 1980s. This was their 13th studio album and the second to feature Bruce Kulick on lead guitar, solidifying the lineup of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Carr, and Kulick after Mark St. John’s brief tenure on Animalize (1984). With the band fully embracing the flashy, MTV-driven glam rock aesthetic, Asylum was a colorful, high-energy album that fit right into the hair metal boom of the mid-’80s.
By the time Asylum was released, Kiss had fully transformed from their raw, hard rock roots into an 80s glam-metal powerhouse. The album featured big, anthemic choruses, slick production, and flashy guitar solos, catering to the rising popularity of bands like Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, and Def Leppard. While Gene Simmons took somewhat of a backseat during this period (as he was focused on acting and other business ventures), Paul Stanley took the creative lead, writing and singing many of the standout tracks.
Lyrically, Asylum sticks to the classic Kiss formula: songs about love, lust, and rock ‘n’ roll decadence, delivered with tongue-in-cheek bravado. Though it doesn’t have the raw danger of their 70s material, it compensates with arena-sized hooks and polished production.
Notable Tracks & Highlights
Tears Are Falling – The album’s biggest hit and one of Kiss’s most recognizable 80s songs. A mid-tempo, melodic rock anthem with an infectious chorus, it became a staple on MTV thanks to its neon-drenched, over-the-top music video.
Who Wants to Be Lonely – A glossy, radio-friendly power ballad featuring one of Paul Stanley’s most passionate vocal performances. It has a strong Bon Jovi-esque feel and is a fan favorite from this era.
Uh! All Night – A pure party anthem filled with the signature Kiss mix of rock and cheeky sexual innuendo. It’s an over-the-top, fun track that leans into the band’s glam image.
King of the Mountain – The album opener kicks things off with Eric Carr’s thunderous drumming, setting the stage for a high-energy, feel-good rock record.
Radar for Love – A Zeppelin-esque groove mixed with glam metal excess, featuring powerful riffs and an aggressive vocal delivery from Stanley.
I’m Alive – A fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled track showcasing Bruce Kulick’s technical prowess on the guitar.
Any Way You Slice It – One of the Gene Simmons-led tracks, bringing a heavier, bluesy feel to the album with his signature growling vocals.
Trial by Fire – An underrated deep cut with an anthemic chorus and driving riff, standing out as one of the more musically dynamic tracks.
Asylum was a commercial success, reaching No. 20 on the Billboard 200 and going gold in the U.S. While it didn’t match the multi-platinum success of later albums like Crazy Nights (1987), it kept Kiss relevant in the mid-’80s and helped them gain a new generation of fans through MTV.
While Asylum is sometimes overshadowed by their bigger 80s albums (Lick It Up, Crazy Nights), it remains an important part of Kiss’s glam metal era, showcasing Paul Stanley’s dominance as the band’s creative force during this period. Fans who appreciate the flashy, over-the-top sound of 80s hard rock often look back at this album fondly, even if it lacks the raw power of their classic 70s work.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
King Of The Mountain
Any Way You Slice It
Who Wants To Be Lonely
Trial By Fire
I’m Alive
Love’s A Deadly Weapon
Tears Are Falling
Secretly Cruel
Radar For Love
Uh! All Night
