Kiss (Kiss album)
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:01:20 PM Wikipedia source
Kiss is the debut studio album by American rock band Kiss, released on February 8, 1974, by Casablanca Records. Much of the material on the album was written by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, as members of their pre-Kiss band Wicked Lester. Simmons estimated that the entire process of recording and mixing took three weeks, while co-producer Richie Wise has stated it took just 13 days.
Infobox
Released
February 8, 1974 (1974-02-08)
Recorded
November 10–16, 1973
Studio
Bell Sound (New York City)
Genre
Hard rock glam rock heavy metal
Length
35:07
Label
Casablanca
Producer
Kenny Kerner Richie Wise
Tables
Professional ratings · Reception
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Review scores
AllMusic
Review scores
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Review scores
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Review scores
7/10
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
Pitchfork
Pitchfork
Review scores
Pitchfork
Review scores
8 /10
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Review scores
Spin Alternative Record Guide
Review scores
6/10
Uncut
Uncut
Review scores
Uncut
Review scores
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 7/10 |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| Pitchfork | 8 /10 |
| The New Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 6/10 |
| Uncut | |
· Charts
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Chart (1974–76)
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
Peak
position
82
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Chart (1974–76)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Peak
position
54
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (1974–76)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Peak
position
38
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1974–76)
US Billboard 200
Peak
position
87
| Chart (1974–76) | Peak position |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM) | 82 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 54 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 38 |
| US Billboard 200 | 87 |
· Certifications
Canada (Music Canada)
Canada (Music Canada)
Region
Canada (Music Canada)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
50,000^
United States (RIAA)
United States (RIAA)
Region
United States (RIAA)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- Kisstimelinehttps://kisstimeline.com/timeline/kiss-releases-their-debut-album-kiss/
- Kisstimelinehttps://kisstimeline.com/timeline/kiss-enters-bell-sound-studios-to-record-their-debut-album/
- Leaf, David and Ken Sharp. KISS: Behind the Mask: The Official Authorized Biography, Warner Books, 2003. ISBN 0-446-5307
- Loudwirehttps://loudwire.com/best-hard-rock-album-each-year/
- Spinhttp://www.spin.com/2003/08/spin-record-guide-essential-glam-rock/
- AllMusichttps://www.allmusic.com/song/cold-gin-mt0002988466
- Kiss Timeline - Chronology of the hottest band in the world (1972 – 1983)https://kisstimeline.com/timeline/kiss-returned-to-bell-sound-studios-to-record-kissin-time/
- KISS Timelinehttps://kisstimeline.com/timeline/debut-album-photo-session/
- Face the Music: A Life Exposed
- Sharp, Ken. (July 19, 1996). "The Return of Kiss – 'It's Time for Spectacle'". Goldmine .
- AllMusichttps://www.allmusic.com/song/let-me-know-mt0005058890#review
- AllMusichttps://www.allmusic.com/song/100000-years-mt0000731112#review
- Prato, Greg. Kiss - Kiss review at AllMusic. Retrieved September 4, 2011.https://www.allmusic.com/album/r11052
- The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies
- The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
- Kisshttps://web.archive.org/web/20030626073049/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/k/kiss/kiss.shtml
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kiss/albumguide
- Spin Alternative Record Guide
- Uncut
- "American album certifications – Kiss – Kiss"https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kiss&ti=Kiss&format=Album&type=#search_section