Unholy (Kiss song)

Last updated

"Unholy"
Kiss.Unholy.jpg
Single by Kiss
from the album Revenge
ReleasedApril 27, 1992 (1992-04-27) [1]
Genre Heavy metal
Length3:40
Label Mercury
Songwriter(s) Gene Simmons, Vinnie Vincent
Producer(s) Bob Ezrin
Kiss singles chronology
""God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II" / "Junior's Gone Wild" (performed by King's X)"
(1991)		"Unholy"
(1992)		"Domino" (radio edit) / "Carr Jam 1981"
(1992)
Music video
"Unholy" on YouTube

"Unholy" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, written by Gene Simmons and Vinnie Vincent. Featured on their 1992 album, Revenge , the song is one of the three Vincent co-writes to appear on the album despite the fact that he had been fired from the band 8 years earlier. [2] The release of "Unholy" signaled the return to a heavier sound for Kiss. The song was played live during the Revenge Tour and was included on the 1993 live album Alive III , but did not return to the live Kiss set list until 2004's Rock the Nation Tour. [3]

Contents

Composition and recording

"Unholy" was co-written by Gene Simmons and Vinnie Vincent, although Vincent was fired in 1984. Simmons stated in his book Kiss and Make-Up:
"Vinnie Vincent came up to me and apologized for causing the band all the grief while he was a member. He wanted to patch things up and wondered if I would consider writing some songs with him. 'Sure', I said. I wanted to let bygones be bygones. I called Paul and told him that Vinnie had apparently changed. Paul wrote songs with him as well. But before the album was released, Vinnie was up to his old tricks again. He reneged on a signed deal we had made and decided that he wanted to renegotiate. He eventually sued us and lost. As far as I was concerned, he was persona non grata forever." [4]

Two other songs which appear on the album, "I Just Wanna" and "Heart of Chrome", were also co-written by Vincent. The song is, according to Simmons, based on a Wicked Lester song "Keep Me Waiting" which appears on the album The Original Wicked Lester Sessions . Vincent suggested a number of changes, mostly lyrical changes which as Simmons said, made the song even better.

"Unholy" is considered one of the heaviest songs in the band's catalog. The song features Jesse Damon from Silent Rage, who sang backing vocals on the track. He also sang backing vocals on "Thou Shalt Not" (which he even co-wrote), "Take It Off", "Tough Love", "Heart of Chrome" and "I Just Wanna". It has been said by many KISS insiders that the amplifier feedback at the beginning of the album version of "Unholy" is from Vinnie Vincent.[ citation needed ]

Release

As a single, "Unholy" was released in the United States as a promotional single, but it broke the Top-30 in five countries, reaching its highest in Norway, number 2, which was the highest of all singles from Revenge. The B-side was God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II, a reworking of the Argent song God Gave Rock and Roll to You.

Music video

A music video was filmed at Southern Bay Studios in Carson, California, and was directed by Paul Rachman. The video did not receive regular rotation airplay, as it showed children dancing on pentagrams and Damien Thorn-like twins casting demonic shadows, which would in turn cause mass protests at MTV from the Christian conservatives, but did feature on MTV's Headbangers Ball program, airing regularly there.

Reception

"Unholy" was voted by fans as the 37th best Kiss song in a 2014 feature for Classic Rock magazine. [5]

Covers

"Unholy"
Single by Black Veil Brides (featuring Zakk Wylde)
from the album Rebels
ReleasedDecember 2011
Genre Hard rock, alternative metal, glam metal
Length3:23
Label Lava Records, Universal Republic Records
Songwriter(s) Gene Simmons, Vinnie Vincent
Black Veil Brides (featuring Zakk Wylde) singles chronology
"Rebel Love Song"
(2011)		"Unholy"
(2011)		"In the End"
(2012)

In 2008, the song was parodied on the Kiss tribute album KISS MY ANKH: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent , written and performed by rock & roll comic C.C. Banana. The parody is called "Ted Poley" and was inspired by a real life encounter between Danger Danger vocalist Ted Poley and Kiss frontman Paul Stanley, while the two bands were on tour together in 1992. [6] The other cover found on the album was recorded by Curse God and Die. [6]
German band Die Ärzte, who supported Kiss in 1996, recorded a German version of the song in 1994 for the tribute album Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved . [7]
American rock band Black Veil Brides did a cover of the song on their EP Rebels which was released on December 13, 2011. Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society guitarist, Zakk Wylde is featured on this version, playing the guitar solo [8] Black Veil Brides has cited Kiss (along with Mötley Crüe) as their biggest influences image-wise. [9]

Appearances

"Unholy" has appeared on following Kiss albums:

Track listing

CD-Maxi

  1. "Unholy" (Gene Simmons, Vinnie Vincent) - 3:40
  2. "God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II" (Russ Ballard, Paul Stanley, Simmons, Bob Ezrin) - 5:23
  3. "Deuce" (Demo) (Simmons) - 3:25
  4. "Strutter" (Demo) (Stanley, Simmons) - 4:58

Limited Special Edition - CD-Single

CD-Single 1

  1. "Unholy" (Gene Simmons, Vinnie Vincent) - 3:40
  2. "God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II" (Russ Ballard, Paul Stanley, Simmons, Bob Ezrin) - 5:23
  3. "Deuce" (Demo) (Simmons) - 3:25
  4. "Strutter" (Demo) (Stanley, Simmons) - 4:58

CD-Single 2

  1. Kiss - Fifteen Years On (Interview)

Personnel

with

Charts

Chart (1992)Peak
Position
UK Singles Chart 26 [10]
Norwegian Singles Chart 2 [11]
Swedish Singles Chart 19 [12]
Dutch Singles Chart 26 [13]
German Singles Chart 26 [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss (band)</span> American hard rock band

Kiss was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Known for their face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid-1970s with shock rock-style live performances which featured fire-breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and pyrotechnics. The band had gone through several lineup changes, with Stanley and Simmons remaining the only consistent members. The final lineup consisted of them, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinnie Vincent</span> American guitarist

Vincent John Cusano, better known by his stage name Vinnie Vincent, is an American guitarist. He is a former member of the rock band Kiss from 1982 until mid-1984 during the band's transition out of their 1973–1983 makeup period. Vincent was the last member to wear a unique makeup/costume configuration, as the character of The Ankh Warrior, until he and the band were first shown without the makeup during an interview on MTV in September 1983. He founded his own band, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, which had minor hits in the hair metal genre.

<i>Revenge</i> (Kiss album) 1992 studio album by Kiss

Revenge is the sixteenth studio album by American rock band Kiss, released on May 19, 1992. It is the band's first album to feature drummer Eric Singer, following the death of former drummer Eric Carr in November 1991 and is the group's last album to feature musical contributions from the latter. Marking a stylistic departure from the pop-influenced glam metal which characterized much of the band's 1980s output for a heavier sound, the album reached the Top 20 in several countries, though it failed to reestablish the group back in the mainstream and its sales were equal-to or less than its predecessors, ultimately only being certified gold by the RIAA on July 20, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinnie Vincent Invasion</span> American glam metal band

Vinnie Vincent Invasion is an American glam metal band, formed in 1984 by former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent.

<i>Killers</i> (Kiss album) 1982 greatest hits album by Kiss

Killers is the second compilation album by American hard rock group Kiss. It was released only outside the US, but quickly became available as an import. Of the album's twelve songs, four were new compositions recorded specifically for it: "I'm a Legend Tonight," "Down on Your Knees," "Nowhere to Run" and "Partners in Crime." These new songs were recorded at the behest of Phonogram, in response to the commercial failure of 1981's Music from "The Elder".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hard Luck Woman</span> 1976 single by Kiss

"Hard Luck Woman" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss and the lead single from their 1976 album, Rock and Roll Over. It was originally written by Paul Stanley as a possible track for Rod Stewart, but after the success of the soft rock ballad "Beth", Kiss decided to keep it for themselves as a follow-up. Stanley has stated his admiration and love of Stewart's music numerous times, and that "Hard Luck Woman" was inspired by Rod Stewart, in particular the songs "Maggie May" and "You Wear It Well". While Stewart's music served as a partial inspiration for the song, the nautical themed song "Brandy" by American pop-rock band Looking Glass served as Stanley's main inspiration.

"All Hell's Breakin' Loose" is a song by American rock band Kiss, that appeared on their 1983 album Lick It Up. It was the second and final single released from the album and did not chart in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">God Gave Rock and Roll to You</span> 1973 single by Argent

"God Gave Rock and Roll to You" is a 1973 song by the British band Argent and covered by Kiss as "God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II" in 1991, with modified lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love It Loud</span> 1982 song by the American rock band Kiss

"I Love It Loud" is a song by American rock band Kiss. It was released on their 1982 album Creatures of the Night. It has proven to be a staple of the band's live show, being performed on almost every tour the band has done aside from the Reunion and Psycho Circus tours.

"Deuce" is a song by the American hard rock band Kiss, written by bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons. The song appeared on Kiss' eponymous 1974 debut album. In addition to being one of the band's most popular and most-covered songs, "Deuce" is a traditional concert opener. The song has appeared on many Kiss live and compilation albums.

<i>Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved</i> 1994 compilation album by Various Artists

Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved is a 1994 tribute album, featuring a variety of artists covering songs by the American rock band Kiss. Released to coincide with Kiss' 20th anniversary, the album was certified gold by the RIAA, and spent 13 weeks on the charts. Cover Design and Art Direction by Mitchell Kanner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christine Sixteen</span> 1977 single by Kiss

"Christine Sixteen" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss. It originally appeared on their 1977 album Love Gun. Released as a single in the US in 1977, the song peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that year, and did well in Canada, peaking at number 22.

"Lick It Up" is a song by American rock band Kiss. It is the title track to the group's 1983 album of the same name. The song was released as the album's first single, with musicians Paul Stanley and Vinnie Vincent having composed the track. It was a Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom, although it failed to chart as highly in the band's native U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calling Dr. Love</span> 1977 single by Kiss

"Calling Dr. Love" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1976 album Rock and Roll Over.

The Revenge Tour was a concert tour by Kiss in support of the band's studio album Revenge.

"Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" is a song by the American hard rock band Kiss, released in 1974. It was released as the only single from their second album Hotter Than Hell. Even though the song failed to chart, it is a staple in their live concerts. The B-side was the album title track, "Hotter Than Hell". Gene Simmons penned the lyrics during a lunch break at his day job, and the song conveys romantic excitement: "'Cause baby's got the feeling/Baby wants a show/Baby won't you tell me/Baby rock & roll, yeah, yeah!". "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" became a live favorite for Kiss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creatures of the Night (Kiss song)</span> 1983 single by Kiss

"Creatures of the Night" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, released as a single from their 1982 album of the same name. It was only released in the UK, where it reached #34. The song was written by Paul Stanley and Adam Mitchell in Mitchell's kitchen. It is not clear who plays what on the track but it is assumed that bass was not played by Gene Simmons, but Mike Porcaro who would soon join his brothers in the American rock band Toto. Lead guitar was not played by Ace Frehley as he was not musically involved with the album and it was not played by Vinnie Vincent either; it was played by Steve Farris, who would go on to become the lead guitarist of the 1980s pop rock group Mr. Mister. Song co-writer Adam Mitchell also played on the final version of the song, replacing Stanley on rhythm guitar in the middle and end of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domino (Kiss song)</span> 1992 single by Kiss

"Domino" is a song by the American hard rock band Kiss, released on the band's sixteenth studio album, Revenge, in 1992. The song was written by the band's bassist, Gene Simmons, and it borrows elements from the song "Nasty Nasty", which Simmons had co-written and produced in 1986 with the band Black 'n Blue. The song was released as a single in 1992, with the album's instrumental, "Carr Jam 1981", as its B-side. Despite being performed on only two tours and during their MTV Unplugged appearance, "Domino" has appeared on several of the band's albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rise to It</span> 1990 single by Kiss

"Rise to It" is a song by the American hard rock band Kiss, released on the band's fifteenth studio album, Hot in the Shade in 1989. It is the opening track on the album and was released as the third and final single on April 1, 1990. However, it only charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and Mainstream Rock Tracks. The band only performed the song during the Hot in the Shade Tour. It is the final single by the band on which Eric Carr plays drums. He was diagnosed with terminal heart cancer following the supporting tour.

"I Just Wanna" is a song by the American rock band Kiss from their 1992 studio album Revenge. It was also released as the album's promotional single.

References

  1. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . April 25, 1992. p. 21.
  2. ↑ "Discography listing at official Kiss website". Kiss Online. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Kiss tour dates and set lists". Kiss FAQ. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ Simmons, Gene (2001). Kiss and Make-Up. Arrow Books. ISBN   978-0-09-943614-0 (Page 220 lines 18-27)
  5. ↑ Classic Rock, issue 196, May 2014, p. 54.
  6. 1 2 "KISS MY ANKH: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent". SplitScreen Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 31, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  7. ↑ Kiss related recordings. Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved album. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  8. ↑ Black Veil Brides Rebels details Archived September 12, 2012, at archive.today . Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  9. ↑ Black Veil Brides on KISS Influence. Dailymotion. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  10. ↑ UK Albums Chart Albums and singles chart history-Kiss December 17, 2011.
  11. ↑ VG-lista Albums and singles chart history-Kiss Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  12. ↑ Sverigetopplistan Albums and singles chart history-Kiss December 17, 2011.
  13. ↑ MegaCharts Albums and singles chart history-Kiss Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  14. ↑ Media Control Charts Albums and singles chart history-Kiss December 17, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.