While KISS fans have long lamented the lack of any new material from the band since 2012’s “Monster” album (not to mention its recent retirement) the band’s original “Spaceman” Ace Frehley has continued to pave his road.

“10,000 Volts” is Ace’s fifth solo album since KISS’ previous effort as well as his first in four years. It’s his sixth album since leaving the band in 2001. Not that we’d need to compare what Ace does to KISS, but we DO know that Ace himself does take pride in being a successful entity in his own right, post-KISS. But will Ace’s new release make ex-bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley “look like imbeciles” as he recently claimed?

One thing is for sure, as with any release from Ace you know you’ll be getting a no-BS guitar-driven rock album. And on that front, “10,000 Volts” absolutely delivers.

Working closely with Steve Brown (ex-TRIXTER), “10,000 Volts” features a collection of songs with a predominant 70’s feel mixed with a punchy, modern rock production sound.

The album opens with the single and title track, “10,000 Volts”. A catchy, riff-laden banger that sets the scene for what’s to come, this is arguably Ace’s most solid solo effort in decades!

This album of punchy rock albums is well-paced, with a couple of decent ballads in “Life Of A Stranger” and “Back Into My Arms Again”. While Steve Brown’s writing contribution is evident, this collection of tracks is pure Ace. Fans of the man from Jendell know what they’re in for and they’ll like what they hear!

As far as looking like ‘imbeciles’, I think Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons would be proud and happy to hear Ace is still being creative… and not an ‘avatar’ in sight!

Stand-out tracks for me are “10,000 Volts”, “Cosmic Heart”, “Fighting For Life”, “Life Of A Stranger”, “Up In The Sky” and “Stratosphere”.