"Sonic Boom" is the nineteenth studio album by the iconic rock band KISS, released on October 6, 2009. This marked KISS's first album in 11 years, recorded at Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, and produced by Paul Stanley, with Greg Collins as co-producer. The album introduces new lead guitarist Tommy Thayer and features drummer Eric Singer, who returned to the band in 2004. Both Thayer and Singer contribute lead vocals on the album, showcasing the band's evolving lineup.
The purpose of Sonic Boom, as stated by Stanley, was not just to remind fans of their presence but to demonstrate that they could still compete with contemporary rock acts. To promote the album, KISS embarked on a fan-driven North American tour, along with international shows, including a headline performance at the Rock am Ring festival in Germany in 2010.
The cover artwork was created by artist Michael Doret, who previously worked on KISS's 1976 album Rock and Roll Over. The album was exclusively distributed in the US and Canada by Wal-Mart, packaged as a three-disc set that included the album itself, a re-recorded greatest hits album titled Kiss Klassics (previously released only in Japan), and a six-song live DVD from their April 2009 concert in Buenos Aires.
The album was released as a digipak, complete with a 20-page booklet, and was available in a limited edition 180-gram vinyl in five colors. The lead single, "Modern Day Delilah," was announced on the band's official website and released to radio on August 19, 2009. This marked KISS's first single release in 11 years, following "You Wanted the Best" in 1998.
The music video for "Modern Day Delilah" premiered online on December 9, 2009, and featured visually striking scenes of oversized band members in Detroit. The single peaked at #50 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart and was included in the setlist for the Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour and The Hottest Show on Earth Tour.
Other singles from the album included "Say Yeah," which was added to the live shows during the Sonic Boom Tour and later announced as the next single. It hit #1 on a Russian radio chart in early 2010. "Never Enough" was also released as a radio single in June 2010, although it did not make it into the setlist for the 2010 summer tour.
Overall, Sonic Boom serves as a testament to KISS's enduring legacy and ability to evolve, attracting both longtime fans and new listeners in the rock scene.
