I liked DLR Van Halen for what it was at the time - About as much as I liked Poison and Skid Row when I was younger. The difference is VH has more substance and isn't as silly to listen to today. It's hard/pop rock when I listen to it - I can't really call it metal - but whatever. Comparing them to Kiss or anyone else is just nonesense. Similarities exist between any two groups if you try hard enough, but that one's a stretch. Actually, I don't think Kiss could keep up musically with VH. I rank them right up there with Motley Crue - somewhere ahead of AC/DC and Cheap Trick, but behind Zeppelin and Judas Priest (as if Turbo Lover isn't the greatest rockin' tune ever!)

Didn't Eddie Van Halen come up with the riff for Michael Jackon's "Beat It"? That's wicked!