Kiss, the self-proclaimed hottest band in the land is following the hottest trend in classic rock: the Walmart exclusive.

Like Journey's Revelation and Foreigner's Can't Slow Down, Kiss' new Sonic Boom is a three-disc set that mixes new songs and old material with video content at a low price -- in this case, $12. It will be available exclusively at Walmart starting October 6.

Sonic Boom includes a full new album, Kiss' first since Psycho Circus in 1999. In Web site postings, bassist Gene Simmons describes the 11-track set, produced by singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, as the best new record we've done since 'Destroyer.' It is 'Rock and Roll Over' meets 'Love Gun' ... If you're a fan of our stuff from about 1977, you'll feel right at home.

It's the band's first studio album with guitarist Tommy Thayer, and drummer Eric Singer's first since 1997's Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions.

Accompanying the new material will be a disc of Kiss greatest hits re-recorded by the original lineup and previously available in Japan, as well as a DVD filmed at a concert earlier this year in Buenos Aires. The cover was designed by artist Michael Doret, whose previous Kiss credit is 1976's Rock and Roll Over.

Kiss plans to tour extensively to promote Sonic Boom, but only two dates have been announced so far: September 25 at Detroit's Cobo Hall, where the group recorded its breakthrough Kiss Alive! album and portions of Kiss Alive II; and a Halloween show at the Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans City Park.

Walmart