Wal-Mart Seals a Deal with KISS

KISS have followed in the footsteps of fellow classic rockers AC/DC and given Wal-Mart exclusive rights to distribute their upcoming release Sonic Boom in the U.S. and Canada. The new CD will feature the band's first new material in 11 years and is slated for release October 6 only at Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart.com and Sam's Club retail locations.

The 3-disc package also includes a re-recorded KISS greatest hits CD and a live DVD filmed in Argentina during the band's KISS Alive 35 tour.

"Sonic Boom may be the best new record we've done since Destroyer! It is Rock And Roll Over meets Love Gun. The world's biggest retailer had better get ready for the hottest band in the world and hire more cashiers before October 6th!" says Kiss bassist Gene Simmons in a release published on the band's official website.

KISS guitarist Paul Stanley adds, "Through all of the albums that are considered our classics, we tried to always find ways to give our fans extras that went beyond just the music. Besides our making the best KISS album in decades, Wal-Mart has made it possible for us to include a bonus CD with 15 of our most famous songs and an additional live DVD, shot during our recent concert in Buenos Aires. So in every sense, Sonic Boom is the ultimate return to classic KISS form."

Wal-Mart has already made past exclusive release deals with classic rock acts like AC/DC and the Eagles. Both KISS and Wal-Mart are hoping to see success on a par with AC/DC's 2008 release Black Ice which has already sold over 8 million copies worldwide. It was the second-best selling album of 2008. Wal-Mart also sold millions with the Eagles 2006 release The Long Road to Eden and has a Foreigner three-disc set in the works due out in September.

Produced entirely by Paul Stanley, Sonic Boom also features new KISS alumni guitarist Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer on drums.

"Everybody worked their tails off to contribute 100 percent of their effort and their ability to make this the great Kiss that not only do the fans deserve, but we deserve," Stanley said.

The Detroit Rock City hitmakers will be presenting a special concert in Detroit on Sept. 25 to celebrate the album release.

The Sonic Boom CD package will retail for $12, with pre-orders starting in September on Walmart.com.

Rob Rheubottom