And KISS Monster debuts on Billboard at...

[Knucklepuck]

The KISS brand has been so completely diluted that they just aren't of much interest by the general music-buying public. Yeah some die-hards follow them, but they have even alienated many of them as well (including me). They just don't seem focused on the right things and have become less-than-serious entertainment for a niche audience. They would have to come out with just amazing new and fresh stuff to get back to primary status - I dont see them even really trying. Sure Monster is better than SB and PC, but isn't ground-breaking or pioneering by any stretch.

[Starchild41]

Well everything Knucklepuck said is spot on with regards to KISS' mishandling of their image. Unfortunately the casualty to that image is going to be Monster. Second week the album plunges to 16th place selling only 4,051 copies in America. This album is now on track to become the worst selling studio album in KISS' career. But unlike Sonic Boom, it is not deserving. I think they have milked the concept for all it's worth and outside of touring as a nostalgia act, they will not be able to move outside that format. Paul and Gene are too old and the buying public have already spoken regarding albums that have the old KISS image with different players underneath. So I think any notion of selling the public on an all new KISS band is out of the question. The market isn't there. They can sale the image until the end of time, but not as a band. I feel bad for this record though. I'm very pleased with it and wished it had found an audience.

[shock_me_strutter]

Well, what is likely the next step for KISS? Is a US Tour in support of Monster likely to fail? Then what's next?

[Starchild41]

I always thought a solo tour after going out with Motley was a guarantee of failure. They tried that once before after touring with Aerosmith, but ticket sales were so poor they had to cancel. I think this time they have a plan B and that is to bring Motley Crue back on tour. They already mentioned it, so I'm fairly confident that is how they will save face in this. If I were them I would just do the Monster Tour overseas where they have the market for it and forget it here. I think the US market is saturated. That being said, it's a damn shame this had to happen with Monster. I'll always like this record. In my eyes it ranks up there with Creatures and Revenge.

[Kiss777]

From what I have heard the Monster tour was always planned to start outside the US.

[dutchkiss71]

Second week the album plunges to 16th place selling only 4,051 copies in America. This album is now on track to become the worst selling studio album in KISS' career. But unlike Sonic Boom, it is not deserving.

final sales figures according to Dailydouble is 16.021 for the second week and down to number 18. (billboard nr 14) number 10 has just 2.547 more.
i'ts horrible but kiss albums always drop like a brick after the first week. also in europe. as for now only sweden and norway are still doing very well (5 and 6 in second week)
I think a hit single from Monster or regular airplay could help sales and make it stick in the charts longer. that just won't happen with kissmusic nowadays.
just saw album chart japan. Monster entered @9 and drops to 20 in second week.

[Starchild41]

Second week the album plunges to 16th place selling only 4,051 copies in America. This album is now on track to become the worst selling studio album in KISS' career. But unlike Sonic Boom, it is not deserving.

final sales figures according to Dailydouble is 16.021 for the second week and down to number 18. (billboard nr 14) number 10 has just 2.547 more.
i'ts horrible but kiss albums always drop like a brick after the first week. also in europe. as for now only sweden and norway are still doing very well (5 and 6 in second week)
I think a hit single from Monster or regular airplay could help sales and make it stick in the charts longer. that just won't happen with kissmusic nowadays.
just saw album chart japan. Monster entered @9 and drops to 20 in second week.

That changed then because I was quoting from Daily Double when those figures came out. Good to see it came up some, but still abysmal. Some of it is the industry, but alot of it too is just a small market . This is not 1986 anymore and hair and glam bands are no longer headline news on MTV. But that hasn't hurt AC/DC or Aerosmith. But those bands have remained steady in keeping the same band members and delivering fairly consistent product every time. The uneven results of KISS hurts them when they do finally put out an album worthy of a broader audience. Thanks for the update!

[Kiss777]

One way the numbers keep getting mess up is places keep posting predictions and then they release the real numbers later...don't know why they can't just wait on the actual figures to come in
Give the album about 3 months then take a look at total sales, USA, rest of the world and otherwise and we'll see how they did.

[Starchild41]

One way the numbers keep getting mess up is places keep posting predictions and then they release the real numbers later...don't know why they can't just wait on the actual figures to come in
Give the album about 3 months then take a look at total sales, USA, rest of the world and otherwise and we'll see how they did.

Amen to that!

[robban]

Monster going down at position 19 after two weeks here in Italy
Green Day remain at position 5 after 4 weeks!!
but the Green Day album is an......CRAP