The Best of Kiss, Volume 2 cover

The Best of Kiss, Volume 2

Kiss · 2004

48 min · 12 tracks · hard rock

A vibrant collection of anthemic hard rock tracks that encapsulate Kiss's flamboyant style and enduring appeal.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Creatures of the Night Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    I Love It Loud — This track exemplifies Kiss's signature sound with its powerful riffs and rallying chorus, becoming an anthem for fans during live performances.
  • →
    Heaven’s on Fire — Featuring a memorable hook and melodic guitar work, this song is a testament to Kiss's ability to blend commercial appeal with hard rock energy.
  • →
    Forever — A ballad showcasing a softer side of the band, it highlights their versatility and became one of their most commercially successful songs in the late '80s.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

40 /100
Lowland
Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

This compilation reflects Kiss's hard rock style but lacks the cohesion of a studio album.

What we noticed

  • The album features twelve tracks, all of which are mid-tempo to upbeat, maintaining a consistent energy throughout.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady anthems for sing-alongs
  • celebratory energy for gatherings
  • nostalgic vibes of classic
  • for late-night drives

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer slow, introspective music
  • dislike theatrical performances

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A compilation that highlights a specific era, but not essential for new listeners.
Themes
glam rock spectacle· 1980s arena anthems· reunion tour nostalgia
Career context
Released in 2004, this compilation showcases Kiss's extensive catalog post-1980s, a period marked by their resurgence after the reunion tour in the late '90s. It follows the successful first volume of their greatest hits, aiming to solidify their legacy as icons of glam rock and hard rock.
Stylistic neighbors
Aerosmith· Motörhead· Def Leppard

Tracklist

  • 1 Creatures of the Night Start here 4:05
  • 2 I Love It Loud 4:18
  • 3 Lick It Up 3:58
  • 4 All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose 4:35
  • 5 Heaven’s on Fire 3:23
  • 6 Thrills in the Night 4:24
  • 7 Tears Are Falling 3:56
  • 8 Uh! All Night 4:03
  • 9 Crazy Crazy Nights 3:48
  • 10 Reason to Live 4:01
  • 11 Hide Your Heart 4:25
  • 12 Forever 3:49

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata