KISS – Destroyer (Resurrected)

Mercury

March 1976 saw Kiss release their 4th studio album, Destroyer, a slow starter which then took when the ballad Beth (originally a b-side) became a hit in its own right. The album was the band’s first to go platinum.

This reissue is a remix by original producer Bob Ezrin who found the original tapes. Because some parts (eg the drums) had been mixed down to stereo, it was hard to tamper too much, but the sound here from the outset is wonderful and there are snippets of extra overlays originally left off the original. Bar the aforementioned Beth, Simmonds and Stanley share lead vocals.

The album opens with the classic Detroit City, the sound of a tuning radio with a burst of Rock’n’Roll All Nite before the rumble comes in, and a track most will (or should) recognise and enjoy. King Of The Night Time World follows in similar fashion. Then it’s the Kiss signature tune in God Of Thunder, a slower darker chunkier riff to the fore.

The underrated star of the original Kiss line-up was lead guitarist Ace Frehley, who is primarily known for his riffage – he is one of the best, but does provide a decent solo or two too. And it is easy to overlook the guitar work given the marketing and image of the band both then and now. This was Kiss at their best.

This is truly a classic album, mixing glam rock, classic rock and proto glam metal, with Sweet Pain, Flaming Youth, Shout It Out Loud and Do You Love Me all standing out. Ezrin’s original production adding special effects, extra guitar work and strings. And then the Peter Criss written / sung Beth – an acoustic number that was a big world-wide hit.

The remix here brightens things and while the tracks are not greatly different but the extra mix and additions do add an extra dimension.

There is a bonus track – Sweet Pain, with the original guitar solo, and Ezrin penned sleevenotes.

A wonderful release, well packaged. But the original plan was for a 2CD, there is that much extra material about. More of these releases, however, more than welcome.

*****

Joe Geesin


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply