Kiss — 鈥楧estroyer: Resurrected鈥�
I didn’t enlist in the Kiss Army until well after most of my friends had already become dedicated recruits. It wasn’t until my best friend, upon attending a Kiss concert, described the theatrically ambitious details of the band’s unforgettable performance that I was truly compelled to pick up a copy of 1976’s “Destroyer.” Kiss’ fourth studio album followed “Alive,” considered by many to be the band’s best album.
“Destroyer” remains one of Kiss’ most experimental albums and the first Kiss studio album to go platinum.
Thirty-six years later, Kiss releases “Destroyer: Resurrected” with the material newly remixed from the original master tapes by original producer Bob Ezrin.
Ezrin carefully constructed a masterpiece back in 1975 with Alice Cooper’s “Welcome to My Nightmare,” then followed up the next year with the equally impressive “Destroyer.”
Ezrin once again assembles near perfection as he masterfully enhances the sound clarity of the arrangements, punctuating the musical prowess of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss in the process.
Fan favorite and rock anthem “Detroit Rock City” opens the album with additional sound effects and a classic Frehley and Stanley twin-guitar solo.
The rousing party anthem “King of the Night Time World,” highlighted by Simmons’ funky bass line and Criss’ rapid-fire drumming, keeps the swaggering rock flowing, with additional concert staples “Shout It Out Loud” and “Do You Love Me?” supplying more infectious audience participation favorites.
The guttural pounding of Simmons’ bass and the eerie enhancement of the children’s voices, make “God of Thunder” a celebrated standout.
On “Beth,” Ezrin includes an additional vocal that was edited out of the 1976 version, completely restoring and extending the original recording. This tender ballad, sung and written by Criss, was featured on the B-side of “Detroit Rock City” and went on to become the band’s first Top Ten hit. A bonus track of “Sweet Pain” is included with an alternate guitar solo.
Also featured on “Destroyer: Resurrected” is the originally intended cover art featuring a burning city in ruins in the background, thought to be too controversial and violent at the time to be released. “Destroyer: Resurrected” is a great way to become reacquainted with this legendary band and to relive the Kiss glory days.
Kiss and Motley Crue perform at First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown on September 2.
Kiss is also scheduled to release the new album “Monster” in October.
It’s good to see the Kiss Army still strong and steadfast.