10 Hyped Hard Rock Albums That Weren't Worth The Wait

While Gene Simmons' disastrous second solo album Assh*le (2004) may seem the obvious choice when it comes to truly disappointing hard rock albums, there was little to no hype preceding its arrival – all thanks to its predecessor, released a mere 26 years earlier.

In the late '70s, KISS were crown princes of the rock and metal scene, bringing glam, shock and hard rock to stages across the world and sitting comfortably in global mainstream charts. But, with Hotter Than Hell, Destroyer and Love Gun already under their shiny belts, the foursome were suffering from a serious case of cabin fever.

Recognising the danger to their investment, KISS's record label contrived a plot to allow the fracturing band time away from each other while still plying fans with the musical goods: four self-titled solo albums released in unison. Thus, a massive marketing campaign kicked into gear and everyone who was anyone held their breath wondering what would arrive next.

Nothing good, that's what.

As the undeniable fan favourite, Simmons' record sold more than his bandmates, but his was also the most disappointing of the four. Mashing together rejected KISS tracks, a grab bag of musical genres and a Pinnochio cover, the album unashamedly sucked.

It sports a who's-who of guest slots from rock and pop music at the time, including Joe Perry, Rick Nielsen, Cher, Bob Seger and even Donna Summer. But, rather than boost its creative or musical credibility, this roster speaks of the record's ham-fisted attempts to make something of nothing.