Modern Day Delilah

Zoo Freaks, get ready to rock with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Modern Day Delilah" by KISS from their 2009 album Sonic Boom. This track, the first single off the album, marked KISS’s return to the studio after an 11-year hiatus since their 1998 album Psycho Circus. Released on August 19, 2009, it was a bold statement from the band, with Paul Stanley declaring in his 2014 biography Face the Music: A Life Exposed that he wanted no outside songwriters or producers, ensuring a pure KISS sound. The song’s infectious, Led Zeppelin-inspired riff and Tommy Thayer’s scorching solo captured the band’s ‘70s vibe, earning praise from fans and critics alike. It peaked at #50 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart and became the opening anthem for the Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour and The Hottest Show on Earth Tour.

The music video for "Modern Day Delilah" is a spectacle, featuring giant-sized KISS members stomping through Detroit, a nod to their theatrical flair. Leaked online in early December 2009, it officially premiered on Yahoo! on December 9 and topped the UK music video channel Scuzz’s "Most Rockin: Viewer Request Show" chart on December 3, 2009. The song also found its way into pop culture, appearing in the 2015 animated film Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery alongside re-recorded KISS classics. Paul Stanley, in an interview with Songfacts, noted that the riff echoed the spirit of their 1976 track "I Want You," emphasizing the band’s return to their raw, early sound. On X, KISS celebrated the song’s release anniversary in 2023, asking fans to share their first memories of hearing it, sparking a wave of nostalgic posts from the KISS Army.

The song’s title draws from the biblical Delilah, the Philistine temptress who betrayed Samson. KISS reimagines her as a modern femme fatale, with lyrics like “Queen to slave, Modern day Delilah” painting a tale of seduction and betrayal. Fans on Reddit have mixed feelings, with some calling it the last great KISS song, while others prefer tracks like "Say Yeah" from the same album. The single was released as downloadable content for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero on November 19, 2009, alongside KISS hits "I Was Made for Lovin’ You" and "Lick It Up," letting fans shred along to its monster riff. A 2009 Rolling Stone article highlighted the band’s exclusive Walmart deal for Sonic Boom, with Gene Simmons defending the move as a way to combat free downloading, ensuring fans paid for their music.

KISS, formed in New York City in 1973, began as a quartet of ambitious misfits: Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Gene Simmons (bass, vocals), Ace Frehley (lead guitar), and Peter Criss (drums). Stanley and Simmons, both from Queens, met through mutual friends and shared a love for comic books and rock ‘n’ roll. Initially part of the band Wicked Lester, they broke away to form KISS, recruiting Frehley and Criss through auditions. Their self-titled debut in 1974 introduced their iconic makeup and theatrical live shows, but it was their 1975 live album Alive! that catapulted them to fame, capturing their explosive performances. Known for larger-than-life personas—Stanley as the Starchild, Simmons as the Demon, Frehley as the Spaceman, and Criss as the Catman—KISS built a brand that extended beyond music to merchandise like action figures and even caskets.

Despite lineup changes, with Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer joining in the 2000s, KISS’s core identity remained anchored by Stanley and Simmons. Their relentless touring and over-the-top shows, complete with pyrotechnics and Simmons’s blood-spitting antics, made them legends. By 2009, when "Modern Day Delilah" dropped, KISS had sold over 100 million albums worldwide. The band’s official website, KISSonline.com, is a hub for tour dates, merch, and news. Connect with the KISS Army on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on sites like KISSFAQ.com for deep dives into the band’s history and on Facebook groups like the KISS Army to share their passion. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks!