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Sonic Boom Image
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 45 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the first album in over 11 years for the metal band.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. 80
    It's a breath of fiery air, then, that their latest is as close to a return to classic form as anyone could reasonably expect.
  2. This Walmart-only three-disc set--which includes a CD of rerecorded hits and a live DVD--should remind Hall of Fame voters that the recent nominees deserve consideration for far more than just Simmons' fire-breathing abilities.
  3. Of course, substance is in the eye of the beholder, and the lyrics don’t much stray from Kiss standbys such as partying, sex and, naturally, rock ’n’ roll. The results are appropriately direct and unambiguous.
  4. Will it provide decent accompaniment for a Gene Simmons blood-belching performance in a packed arena? This big, dumb, catchy record passes that test.
  5. Mojo
    60
    Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have knuckled down alongside relative newbies Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer to make a half-decent rock'n'roll record. [Nov 2009, p.90]
  6. The 11 new songs, Kiss' first since 1998's "Psycho Circus," hardly deviate from the band's time-proven formula.
  7. Q Magazine
    20
    They may still want to party every night, but it would take a Kiss Kasket full of Viagra to animate this limp cock rock. [Dec 2009, p. 116]

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. Nov 11, 2014
    10
    This álbum is great R U Nuts? I can't possibly thing a 2009 Kiss álbum sounding any better than this, they also included a re-recordedThis álbum is great R U Nuts? I can't possibly thing a 2009 Kiss álbum sounding any better than this, they also included a re-recorded classics álbum that sound even better than the originals on a loud, modern system. Pure gold! Expand
  2. Aug 16, 2010
    10
    Yeah ... say what you want. But who would you rather be? You or GENE SIMMONS?

    Even being Peter Criss is better than being you. After all
    Yeah ... say what you want. But who would you rather be? You or GENE SIMMONS?

    Even being Peter Criss is better than being you. After all these years THEY ROCK!
    Expand
  3. Dec 23, 2013
    9
    This is one of the strongest album Kiss has released since their 1992 ,'Revenge',

    The songs on this album are held together nicely and it
    This is one of the strongest album Kiss has released since their 1992 ,'Revenge',

    The songs on this album are held together nicely and it is musically very strong. This album has the heavy moments of Creatures of the Night and Revenge. It also contains the cowbell 70's music of their debut album and later albums and also has many new and interesting songs that many have heard before. The second disc named ,'Kiss Klassics' has strong re-records of their old classics and and have a tight and strong new sound that is one of a kind!

    They can still do it after 40 years!
    Expand
  4. Jul 13, 2015
    9
    6 imbecis6 imbecis ;;;;;;;;;;.............................................................................................................................................. Expand
  5. May 11, 2016
    9
    ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................GREAT Album AND **** You!!!!!! Critic of Q MAGAZINE.... Collapse
  6. Aug 18, 2011
    8
    Sonic Boom is a Big Comeback Album for KISS and it sounds alot like thier eariler Albums from Early in thier Carrer i think this is a MustSonic Boom is a Big Comeback Album for KISS and it sounds alot like thier eariler Albums from Early in thier Carrer i think this is a Must Hear Album and it definatly will Satisfy The Older Generation of Kiss Fans and The Newer. With Good Songs Like When Lightning Strikes, Hot and Cold, and All For The Glory this makes the Album Complete and it Sounds Great. I Am Proud to Announce KISS is Back! Expand
  7. Jun 9, 2011
    0
    This album was hyped (by the band itself) as being the best album they have done in the last 30 years. In my opinion this is, by far, theThis album was hyped (by the band itself) as being the best album they have done in the last 30 years. In my opinion this is, by far, the worst album in their entire catalog. I rarely write a negative review but this one is so bad I think it's warranted. Expand

See all 17 User Reviews