In 1976, KISS unleashed Destroyer, an album that initially puzzled some fans with its evolved sound but has since become their quintessential and best-selling studio masterpiece. This groundbreaking record, boasting anthems like “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud,” and “God Of Thunder,” showcased a new dimension of KISS with softer tracks such as “Do You Love Me?” and orchestral grandeur in “Great Expectations” and the surprise hit “Beth.”
To celebrate its 45th anniversary, a monumental Super Deluxe Edition 4CD + Blu-ray Audio boxset is being released by UMe, promising to captivate the KISS Army and discerning vinyl collectors who appreciate treasures found at Easy Street Records. This definitive collection starts with the original album, newly remastered at Abbey Road Mastering on CD 1, ensuring the classic sound is crisper than ever.
CD 2 is a goldmine for die-hard fans, presenting 15 demos from Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons’ personal archives, with an incredible 9 tracks previously unreleased. Listeners gain unprecedented access to the genesis of Destroyer, witnessing the evolution of iconic songs. CD 3 delves deeper into the studio process with outtakes, alternate versions, and mixes, including a newly unveiled “Beth (Acoustic Mix).” This fresh mix unearths acoustic guitar stems originally recorded for the entire song, previously only heard in the album’s closing notes, offering a completely new perspective on this ballad.
Adding to the sonic richness, CD 4 captures a blistering live performance from Paris, France, at the L’Olympia on May 22, 1976, allowing fans to relive the Destroyer era in its raw, live energy. Furthermore, acclaimed audio engineer Steven Wilson has crafted a groundbreaking Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround mix of the original album, along with bonus tracks “Beth (Acoustic Mix)” and “Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo).” The latter features Ace Frehley’s original guitar solo, a gem previously unreleased on the studio album but available on the 2012 Destroyer: Resurrected project.
Packaged in a lift-top style box overflowing with memorabilia, this Super Deluxe Edition is designed to be a collector’s dream. For KISS aficionados and those who appreciate the artistry of classic rock albums, particularly the kind of special editions you might discover at easy street records, this 45th-anniversary Destroyer boxset is an essential addition to any serious music collection. It’s more than just a reissue; it’s a comprehensive celebration of an album that solidified KISS’s legendary status.
