Let’s get one thing straight: KISS without the makeup was never about fading into oblivion. No, these guys weren’t ready to hang up their platform boots just because they were stripped of their iconic war paint. Instead, they came roaring back in the 80s and 90s with a vengeance, proving they could still deliver the goods, even without the mystery.

3: Asylum (1985)

In 1985, KISS was knee-deep in the glam metal wave, but let’s not pretend they were ever just another band jumping on the bandwagon. Asylum is unapologetically over-the-top, with tracks like “Tears Are Falling” and “Who Wants to Be Lonely,” bursting with the kind of anthemic, stadium-ready rock that only KISS can pull off. Sure, it’s cheesy. It’s flashy. But damn if it doesn’t get you pumping your fists in the air. It’s KISS doing what KISS does best—making big, stupid, glorious fun of everything.

2: Lick It Up (1983)

When KISS wiped away their makeup in 1983, they weren’t just showing their faces—they were showing the world they still had something to prove. Lick It Up is a perfect example of KISS refusing to go quietly into the night. The title track is a classic anthem, dripping with swagger and ready to be blasted at full volume. The album may have been met with mixed reactions at the time, but looking back, it’s clear that Lick It Up was the sound of KISS reasserting themselves in the 80s rock landscape—no makeup, no gimmicks, just pure, hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll.

1: Revenge (1992)

Now, if you want to talk about KISS hitting their stride in the non-makeup era, then you’re talking about Revenge. This album is a beast, plain and simple. Released in 1992, Revenge is darker, heavier, and grittier than anything KISS had done in years. Tracks like “Unholy” and “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You II” are unrelenting, stomping through your speakers like a wrecking ball. It’s clear here that KISS weren’t just playing catch-up—they were back, more ferocious than ever. Revenge proves that even without their legendary makeup, KISS still had plenty of magic left in them.

KISS without the makeup wasn’t a tragic fall from grace. It wasn’t an “only for the diehards” situation either. No, it was a second act that saw the band pushing forward with all the flair, swagger, and guts they’d always had. Asylum, Lick It Up, and Revenge weren’t just albums—they were declarations. Whether they were ripping through glam metal clichés or giving hard rock a darker edge, these albums proved that even without their iconic face paint, KISS could still keep the world rocking.