Released in 1974, KISS, the self-titled debut from the iconic rock band, marked the explosive start of their journey to superstardom. Combining hard rock with glam elements, the album introduced the raw energy and attitude that would come to define the band and despite not being an instant commercial success, KISS laid the groundwork and established their incredible legacy with this release.

That legacy was the result of a collective band effort, for KISS as we know them today, or in 1974, wouldn’t have achieved their desired outcome had each member not brought their distinctiveness to the album. From Paul Stanley’s soaring vocals to Gene Simmons’ commanding stage presence and heavy bass lines to Ace Frehley’s inventive guitar solos and Peter Criss’ powerful drumming, they crafted a raw, yet melodic, hard rock style that set them apart from their peers.

As it pertains to the lossless Apple Digital Master, available via Apple Music, it’s stunning with a bold presentation that will envelop and reward you no matter what volume you listen to the album at. Every musical element is clear and defined, yet the mastering is anything but fatiguing. There’s plenty of mid to low-end, that is in many ways a prerequisite to any hard rock album, but it isn’t overly boomy. The result is that the stream is most certainly worthy of consideration as one of the best-sounding versions of this self-titled debut for it not only sounds right, but it rocks.

Strutter opens the album with an upbeat swagger and attitude. Combining a catchy guitar riff, a confident vocal delivery by Paul Stanley, and a full-fleshed rock and roll rhythm, Strutter was the ideal song to launch the album on as it embodies the rebellious spirit of rock and roll.

Nothin' To Lose is an infectious rock tune that is both edgy and playful. However, it is far from the strongest song on this debut and other than the catchy chorus, I remain confused as to why Nothin’ To Lose was chosen as KISS’ first single as there are so many better choices such as Firehouse.

Firehouse, with its heavy mid-tempo groove and killer bass and guitar riff, is one of the very finest songs KISS ever recorded.

Cold Gin, with its riff-heavy structure and gritty lyrics, make it a quintessential KISS song and as with Firehouse would have been a far better lead single than Nothin’ To Lose. Granted, it is unlikely that these songs would have charted much better, given the era’s styling, but they’re more representative of KISS.

Let Me Know is a little more laid-back than most of the other songs from the album, and while it isn’t in tune with KISS’ hard rock styling, it’s a solid album-only rock number.

Kissin' Time, originally missing from the very first pressings of the album, was recorded and added post-release in an effort to increase the band’s exposure after the song was released as a single. Given I usually dislike changes to the original tracking of an album, particularly the inclusion of bonus tracks tacked onto the end of a record, it would be logical to suggest that Kissin' Time is out of place. However, having never heard the original sequencing, and not being willing to try (even via a streamed playlist), it’s fair to say that I’m set in my ways and Kissin' Time is official canon; from my perspective, at least. As a reworking of the 1959 original, by Bobby Rydell, it’s fantastic, but let’s all agree that it isn’t the strongest song, even if it aligns with the fun-loving persona that KISS would cultivate over the years.

Deuce is a hard rock anthem driven by a pounding rhythm and killer riff and is one of Gene Simmons’ greatest penned and sung songs. Additionally, the dual guitars of Frehley and Stanley give the song its punch, while Criss’s drumming provides a relentless backbone. Between the raw energy and attitude of this tune, it’s one of the best songs in KISS’ extensive catalogue.

Love Theme From Kiss is a killer instrumental that showcases the strength of the band’s musicianship. Granted, it’s unlikely that you’ll seek this song out on its own, but as part of the album’s structure, the laid-back groove and melodic approach offer a reflective respite from the lyrical delivery heard throughout.

100,000 Years is bass guitar heaven and is the driving force behind the song’s heavy groove. It’s also one of Criss’ best drumming performances, with some killer guitar work from Frehley, and while Stanley’s vocal performance is dynamic, it is far from his best. The result is that 100,000 Years is musically interesting but is ultimately more akin to a demo than a fully-fledged recording.

Black Diamond starts delicately, but as soon as Criss enters the mix, on vocals, the song explodes. Criss’ raspy, soulful voice, delivers the song’s emotive punch, while Frehley’s blistering guitar tracking, particularly his solo, rips through the track with ferocity. No matter which way you look at it Black Diamond is an epic closer; one that would ultimately become a fan favourite and one of the very best songs KISS ever recorded.

KISS’ self-titled debut album laid the groundwork for their eventual domination of the rock world and while it didn’t rise to the top of the charts, the album introduced their unmistakable sound—a blend of hard rock, glam, and raw energy. With numerous standout tracks, the album remains a fan favourite and an essential piece of the KISS catalogue. Showcasing the band’s early chemistry, musicianship, and commitment to theatrical, larger-than-life rock, this self-titled debut defined their career for decades to come and is a must for any hard rock fan.