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Kiss are amazing and have a VERY strong influence in hard rock/metal, maybe even more than we think. They weren't just a band with a flamboyant show and theatrics, but also really good musicians and songwritters. The four original members were very talented, and the fact they all could perform vocals is just very cool!
Early albums are more rooted in hard rock, and share more in common with AC/DC or T. Rex than with Judas Priest or Black Sabbath. The first one, self-titled from 1974 is a very good rock album and has some of their best songs (Strutter, Deuce, Firehouse, Nothing to Lose, Black Diamond). Nothing evil sounding, but more of a "feel good" style with a party-goer/sleaze attitude. Hotter Than Hell follows in the same vein, but some riffs are a little rougher and closer to the early-metal (or "proto-metal") sound. It's got some amazing jams too (Got to Choose, Parasite and the ballad Goin' Blind, which was covered by Melvins on their Houdini album), although its a little weaker. Dressed to Kill is the same, but with much better production and also some really good tracks (Ladies in Waiting, Rock Bottom, the anthem Rock and Roll All nite). For me, it's the weakest of the first tree.
Then there's the first Alive! album, which is a classic on its own because of how powerful and rough it sounds. Would have loved to watch Kiss perform during their prime: I saw them back in 2009 and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to, so I cannot imagine how good they were back in the day. The perform songs from those first three albums, but everything sounds much better. I'm not a fan of live albums, but this is is a must one, and probably the one that really influenced the artists you mention.
Back to studio albums, I will disagree with Xymosys and say that the album that had a bigger influence on those musicians was the one that followed, Destroyer. It is heavier and has more metal elements on some songs, kinda like Thin Lizzy. You got incredible tracks too (God of Thunder, Detroit Rock City, Shout It Out Loud, Beth, Flaming Youth). From there on, they release some of their best works. Rock and Roll Over is incredible, and the bands continues to get "heavier" (think early Judas Priest). Amazing songs here too (I Want You, Take Me, Makin' Love -which is plain heavy metal-). Love Gun is even more metal on some tracks (I Stole Your Love, Love Gun, Hooligan), though it still a hard rock band at its core. The you have the four solo albums, which are all pretty bad except for the Ace Frehley one, which has really cool moments.
From Dinasty to present days, the band is pretty hit or miss. The closest to metal you got is Creatures of the Night, which is a very bad ass album (though I doubt the artist you mention were influenced by it, but who knows?). You got disco albums, more laidback works, and even one of the best unplugged albums EVER (SERIOUSLY).
Oh, if you are into progressive rock, check out Music From The Elder, which is the band trying to write a "serious" album. I always loved it, but it was not very well received. Recently Akerfeldt spoke very fondly about it, but says he just got into it when he got older (I totally relate!).
Hope this helps!
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