I grew up on 80’s Kiss. Albums like “Lick It Up”, “Crazy Nights”, “Hot In The Shade” and “Creatures Of The Night” got a lot of rotation on my turntable, along with “Unmasked”.
Kiss transitioned to a Hair Metal or Pop Metal sound (by the way label reps came up with these stupid terms) because they needed to. It happened in sync with the rise of MTV and how music television got behind promoting acts of similar sounds.
And the Quiet Riot effect was real at the time.
Every artist thought it but no one said it. If Quiet Riot could get a Number 1 album, they could do it as well. So Kiss tried like many others.
So my journey into 70s Kiss started with “Double Platinum” and “Smashes, Thrashes and Hits”. All up five of the”Destroyer” tracks are spread across those albums
When I started to get more cash at my disposal, “Destroyer” was the first album I had on my list because even during the 80s when each new album came out, the reviews kept saying, “a “Destroyer” album this is not”.
Also when they started to record “Revenge” the guys mentioned it has a “Destroyer” feel to it. It was “Destroyer” all around.
In addition, my older brothers had an A4 Postcard of the “Destroyer” album cover pasted into their stamp collection book which I looked at forever and a day, honing my drawing skills trying to replicate it.
The artist Ken Kelly is a rockstar himself. Kiss, Manowar and Rainbow used his talents and even Coheed And Cambria recently used his talents for their “No World For Tomorrow” album.
And after all that exposure to “Destroyer” album, I still hadn’t heard the full album. In my head I imagined perfection.
So when I got the CD I was ready for perfection.
I pressed play, listened to it and came away with the viewpoint that there is no need to hear the other tracks that didn’t appear on the Compilation albums.
The five best songs on the album are “Detroit Rock City”, “God Of Thunder”, “Shout It Out Loud”, “Do You Love Me?” and “Beth”.
“Flaming Youth” I like, it just felt unfinished.
It wouldn’t be an Ezrin produced album unless half the album was accessible and he made sure of that.
One crucial takeaway from listening to the album and reading the credits is that even in the 70s, Paul Stanley was Kiss.
His songwriting contributions to this album are exceptional. He even penned the anthem for Gene Simmons and his “God Of Thunder” anthem.
I know this isn’t a review like I normally do, however if you want to read some killer reviews, then check out the following blogs I follow:
destroyerofharmony 
I preordered the reissue of this on vinyl. Time for an upgrade me thinks. lol
I didn’t know they were doing a reissue. I just checked it out. It looks impressive with the demos and early versions being the gold for me.
Mmm. Dilemmas.
Good dilemmas to have lol
Thanks for the shout out. I ordered my copy as well, but I went with the Super Deluxe Edition. I didn’t get a new vinyl because I am happy with the original one and how it sounds. I want all the extra stuff. You say this isn’t a review you posted, but it is a great story on what led you to an album you love and that my friend is enough to make a great post!! Good one!
I just saw all the stuff that comes with the super deluxe version. It looks good and those demos would be great to hear.
I’m waiting to see which seller is going to have it in Australia and the price for it because $200USD plus postage from the US with currency conversion is too much.
Yeah, it is pricey. I am just a sucker for the Kiss stuff so I just go ahead and turnover my paycheck each month basically.
Super fans always do.
I’m not as crazy as some. I saw some people on the Kiss My Wax Facebook page show that they bought every single version, Deluxe, Vinyl, Colored Vinyl, etc…. Now that is a Super Fan!!
Wow.
I had this and Love Gun on 8 track, kinda wish I still had those around.
I really don’t recall 8 tracks in Australia. Vinyl and cassettes
You weren’t missing anything, 8 tracks were a terrible format
Aww, that’s nice of you to give 2loud2oldmusic and mikeladano a shoutout! I searched up “God of Thunder” and I like the bass line. It’s so weird because Paul and Gene have such different voices.
They said it best with their reviews so best to forward people onto them.
There’s also a demo version of Stanley singing God Of Thunder as well.
That’s awesome!
I did not know there was a demo of Stanley singing “God of Thunder,” but I’m not surprised though.