2009 album 'Sonic Boom' from KISS turns 14 today, October 6th

Published October 6 2023 at 20:45

14 years ago today, October 6th, KISS released their 19th studio album, 'Sonic Boom' - their first with the current line-up - and it was available in North America as a Walmart exclusive. It debuted at no. 2 on the charts in the US and was a Top 10 album in many European countries.

While it may not be as well-known as some of their earlier albums, it has its own interesting facts and quirks. Here are 5 interesting facts about 'Sonic Boom':

1. First Album in 11 Years: 'Sonic Boom' marked KISS's first studio album in 11 years, with their previous release being 'Psycho Circus' in 1998.

2. Wal-Mart Exclusive: Initially, 'Sonic Boom' was sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in the United States, making it the first major album by a well-known band to be released exclusively through a single retailer.

3. 3-D Cover: The album's cover featured a lenticular 3-D effect, giving it a dynamic and eye-catching appearance. The sleeve was designed by Michael Doret, who previously did the 'Rock And Roll Over' album cover artwork.

4. Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer: 'Sonic Boom' was the first studio album to feature Tommy Thayer as the lead guitarist and Eric Singer as the drummer. They had  both been in the band for several years but had not actually recorded a studio album with KISS until this release.

5. Chart Success: 'Sonic Boom' performed well on the charts, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, making it the band's highest-charting U.S. album release ever.

While 'Sonic Boom' may perhaps not be as iconic as some of KISS's earlier albums, it was a significant release in the band's history and marked their return to their classic rock roots, somewhat catching the feel and spirit of a truly classic album like 'Rock And Roll Over'.