Hotter Than Hell de Kiss
Álbum de Kiss
- Fecha de lanzamiento: 22 de Octubre de 1974
- Sello Discográfico: Casablanca
- Compositores: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Stephen Coronel
- Productores: Kenny Kerner, Richie Wise
Hotter Than Hell es un álbum de Kiss, publicado en 1974 por Casablanca. El disco incluye 10 canciones, entre ellas «Got To Choose», «Parasite», «Goin' Blind» y «Hotter Than Hell».
Lanzado en octubre de 1974, apenas ocho meses después de su debut, Hotter Than Hell es el segundo álbum de estudio de Kiss. Es un disco notablemente más oscuro, pesado y con un sonido más crudo que su predecesor. Creado en medio de una incesante agenda de giras y con la presión de la discográfica por conseguir un éxito, "Hotter Than Hell" es el sonido de una banda que endurece su propuesta. Aunque, al igual que su debut, fue un fracaso comercial en su lanzamiento inicial, el álbum contiene algunas de las canciones más potentes e influyentes de su primera etapa, como "Parasite" y la balada proto-grunge "Goin' Blind". Su producción fangosa y su atmósfera claustrofóbica lo han convertido en un favorito de culto entre los fans.
De la idea al estudio
Tras el fracaso comercial de su primer disco, Kiss se encontraba en una situación precaria. La banda giraba sin descanso por Estados Unidos, construyendo una base de fans gracias a su potente directo, pero sin el apoyo de la radio. La grabación de "Hotter Than Hell" tuvo lugar en Los Ángeles, y fue un proceso caótico. La banda y los productores Kenny Kerner y Richie Wise no lograron conseguir el sonido que buscaban, lo que resultó en una producción notoriamente fangosa y distorsionada. Pese a los problemas técnicos, el álbum captura una energía oscura y amenazante que lo hace único en su discografía.
Claves musicales
El sonido de "Hotter Than Hell" es heavy metal y hard rock con un filo más cortante. Los riffs de guitarra son más pesados y las letras exploran temas más oscuros de lujuria y decadencia. Es un álbum menos festivo y más agresivo que su debut. La producción, aunque técnicamente deficiente, le da al disco un carácter casi de "garage rock", lo que ha sido apreciado retrospectivamente por su crudeza y autenticidad.
Tema a tema
El álbum contiene varios clásicos de la primera etapa de Kiss. "Got to Choose" y "Parasite", esta última escrita por Ace Frehley, son dos de los temas de hard rock más potentes que jamás grabaron. La canción que da título al disco, "Hotter Than Hell", es un himno de medio tiempo con un riff inolvidable. El único sencillo, "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll", se convirtió en otro pilar de sus conciertos.
La canción más sorprendente es "Goin' Blind", una balada oscura escrita por Gene Simmons que narra la historia de un hombre de 93 años que se enamora de una chica de 16. Por su temática y su sonido pesado y melancólico, ha sido citada como una influencia por muchas bandas de grunge de los 90.
Arte de portada
La portada, inspirada en la cultura japonesa, es una de las más icónicas de la banda. El collage de fotos, con los caracteres japoneses y la estética colorida, contribuyó a que Kiss se convirtiera en un fenómeno masivo en Japón, incluso antes que en su propio país. En la contraportada aparecen los miembros de la banda en una fiesta salvaje, una imagen que cimentó su reputación de hedonistas.
Debut y cifras comerciales
"Hotter Than Hell" tuvo un rendimiento comercial aún peor que su debut, sin lograr entrar en el Top 100 de Billboard. Al igual que su predecesor, sus ventas se dispararon tras el éxito de "Alive!" en 1975.
- USA Billboard 200: 100
- Canadá (RPM): 91
Juicio de la crítica
La crítica de la época fue en gran parte negativa, centrándose en la mala calidad de la producción. Con el tiempo, el álbum ha sido revalorizado como un clásico de culto. Es el sonido de una banda luchando por sobrevivir, creando una de sus músicas más pesadas y honestas en el proceso.
Listado de Canciones
- Got To Choose3:54
Letra
Baby, you know I heard the neighbours say Baby, you might be leavin' me today Oh yeah, mmm, someone's come along and shared your time Don't care, no, I don't, no But you can't be his and still be mine, so Ooh, got to choose who's your baby Ooh, got to choose Sometimes, oh sometimes, I know you need a change of pace Oh yeah, but I ain't gonna run no race Baby, you've got to tell me yes or no Alright, alright, come on and tell me Tell me if you're gonna go, come on Ooh, got to choose who's your baby Ooh, got to choose who's your baby Ooh, got to choose who's your baby Ooh, got to choose, got to choose Who's your baby, who's your baby Who's your baby, who's your baby - Parasite3:01
Letra
She'll always be there trying to grab a hold She thought she knew me, but she didn't know That I was sad and wanted her to go Parasite lady Parasite eyes Parasite lady No need to cry I didn't wanna have to get away I told her things I didn't want to say I need her and I hope she'll understand Parasite lady Parasite eyes Parasite lady No need to cry - Goin' Blind3:36
Letra
And I know how it should be There is nothing more for you and I Some are young and some are free But I think I'm goin' blind 'Cause, I think I'm goin' blind And I know how it's to be, yeah Little lady, can't you see You're so young and so much different than I I'm 93, you're sixteen Can't you see I'm goin' blind 'Cause, I think I'm goin' blind And I know how it's to be, yeah 'Cause, I think I'm goin' blind And I know how it's to be, yeah You're much younger, can't you see There is nothing more for you and I I'm 93, you're sixteen And I think I'm goin' blind Yes, I think I'm goin' blind And I know how it's to be, yeah - Hotter Than Hell3:31
Letra
Come on She looked good She looked hotter than hell All dressed in satins and lace I looked at her and it was just too clear I had to get on the case I said: Lady, oh lady, can I take you home There's just so much we could do I'll take you all around the whole wide world Before evening is trough Hot, hot, hotter than hell You know she's gonna leave you well done Hot, hot, hotter than hell Burn you like the midday Sun I asked her why she couldn't make up heir mind She said: You don't understand I'd love to go, but there's something you should know She showed me her wedding band Hot, hot, hotter than hell You know she's gonna leave you well done Hot, hot, hotter than hell She'll burn you like the midday Sun Hot, hot, hotter than hell You know she's gonna leave you well done Hot, hot, hotter than hell She'll burn you like the midday Sun - Let Me Go Rock & Roll
- All The Way3:18
Letra
You've got a lot to say Every night and every sunny day It's the same thing you've been sayin' to me Every day You say it's within your heart You keep repeatin' that we'll never part I'm so finally glad to hear you stop For a day You just keep talkin' louder Complain to your mother and father One of these days you'll push me all the way You're wearin' clothes that fit you well Baby, baby, you're not hard to sell I'll tell you what you want to hear For a day So if you think you need advice Just come to me, don't compromise Baby, baby you're hypnotized Every day And you just keep talkin' louder Complain to your mother and father One of these days you'll push me all the way Yes, you just keep talkin' louder Complain to your mother and father One of these days you'll push me all the way Yes, you just keep talkin' louder Complain to your mother and father One of these days you'll push me all the way You just keep talkin' louder Complain to your mother and father One of these days you'll push me all the way You just keep talkin' louder Complain to your mother and father One of these days you'll push me all the way - Watchin' You3:43
Letra
Limpin' as you do and I'm watchin' you And you don't really know a-just what to do You don't really know You don't really know What to do And I'm standin' here not quite aware And I'm tryin' baby, tryin' not to stare Ooh, 'cause everybody else is here Yes, everybody else is here Everybody else is here Watchin' you Ooh, 'cause everybody else is here Yes, everybody else is here Everybody else is here Watchin' us - Mainline3:50
Letra
You know that it's easy, so come on and please me I want you I'm needin' some lovin', I'm hot like an oven It's so true You know what I want you to do So baby, won't you let me on through, yeah Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time I know you could use me, so please don't refuse me Oh love me You've got to start givin', and baby, stop livin' Above me You know what I want you to do So baby, won't you let me on through, whoo yeah Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time You know that it's easy, so come on and please me I want you I'm needin' some lovin', I'm hot like an oven It's so true You know what I want you to do So baby, won't you let me on through, yeah Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time Mainline, baby won't you give it to me, one time - Comin' Home2:37
Letra
It's been a month or two since I was sleepin' with you I'm comin' home again I've been to east and west, but baby I like best The road that leads to you Oh, girl, it seems the whole wide world seems to say Hotels that all look the same Just seem to drive me insane But I can't get away Until I receive a call that tells me that will be all And then I hop a plane It's true, I'm not sure if you knew I'm comin' home to you Oh, girl, it seems the whole wide world seems to say Hotels that all look the same Just seem to drive me insane But I can't get away Until I receive a call that tells me that will be all And then I hop a plane It's true, I'm not sure if you knew I'm comin' home to you I'm comin' home to you I'm comin' home to you I'm comin' home, baby - Strange Ways3:18
Letra
Well, it's a strange way The way you look at me And it's a hard time Time you been givin' me Come on and open up Open up to me So you can realize That I could set you free Strange ways, twisted days Strange ways, twisted days Well, it's a strange place That you've been livin' in And it's a strange line You've been deliverin' I think I like it But I'm not really sure Don't wanna to fight it Just wanna feel some more Strange ways, twisted days Strange ways, twisted days Strange ways, twisted days Strange ways, twisted days