Meta Description: Discover how Kiss reignited their rock legacy with “Modern Day Delilah,” a powerful track from their 2009 album Sonic Boom, marking a pivotal moment in their storied career.
How Kiss Revived Their Legacy with “Modern Day Delilah” – A Turning Point for the Band
On August 19, 2009, Kiss made a powerful comeback with “Modern Day Delilah,” their first new song in 11 years. This track, featured on the album Sonic Boom, signaled a new era for the band and showcased their commitment to returning to their hard rock roots.
Paul Stanley’s Vision: Bringing Kiss Back to Their Roots
Paul Stanley, the founding frontman of Kiss, was determined to steer the band away from previous trends that had diluted their signature sound. After a decade-long studio hiatus following the 1998 album Psycho Circus, Stanley laid down some strict ground rules: no disco influences, no concept albums, no grunge, no ballads, and no involvement of outside songwriters or producers. “I was through second-guessing or being second-guessed,” Stanley wrote in his 2014 biography Face the Music: A Life Exposed. His goal was clear—create music that he truly loved, ensuring at least one big fan regardless of the outcome.
The resulting album, Sonic Boom, marked the first time Kiss recorded with their final and longest-lasting lineup: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, drummer Eric Singer, and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer. The energy and cohesion within the band were palpable. “The band’s never been better,” Stanley told Noisecreep in 2009. This renewed sense of purpose and unity allowed Kiss to craft an album that was both definitive and something they could all be proud of.
“Modern Day Delilah” – Kiss Returns with a Bang
The lead single from Sonic Boom, “Modern Day Delilah,” encapsulated everything that fans loved about Kiss. With its infectious stadium-ready energy, a thunderous Led Zeppelin-esque riff, and a blistering solo by Tommy Thayer, the song quickly became a fan favorite. The accompanying music video, featuring Godzilla-sized versions of the band stomping through New York City, captured the explosive energy of Kiss’s live shows in just four minutes. While “Modern Day Delilah” peaked at No. 11 on Billboard’s rock airplay chart, its success was instrumental in propelling Sonic Boom to a No. 2 spot on the Billboard albums chart—a career high for the band.
Kiss’s Final Studio Chapter: Reflecting on the Success of Sonic Boom
Despite the success of Sonic Boom, Kiss’s return to the studio was short-lived. Three years later, they released what would be their final album, Monster, in 2012. Paul Stanley later reflected on the challenges of producing new material when fans were primarily interested in hearing classic hits like “Love Gun.” “It just became a bit frustrating,” Stanley told UCR in 2024, “But judging some of the newer material on its own merits, it was and is as good. The great stuff from the last two albums, I’d say, is as good as anything we’d done.”
For Stanley, the decision was clear—if making new music wasn’t enjoyable, it wasn’t worth doing. Despite this, the legacy of “Modern Day Delilah” and the Sonic Boom album stands as a testament to Kiss’s ability to evolve while staying true to their rock roots.
