In 1976, KISS unleashed Destroyer, an album that initially met with resistance from some fans due to its sonic experimentation. However, time has transformed Destroyer into not only a quintessential KISS record but also their best-selling studio album of all time. This release marked a significant turning point, propelling KISS towards Easy Street in the rock music world.
Packed with anthems that became concert staples and KISS Army favorites, such as “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud,” and “God Of Thunder,” Destroyer also showcased a previously unheard softer side of KISS. Tracks like “Do You Love Me?” and the orchestrally rich “Great Expectations,” along with their surprise hit single “Beth,” broadened the band’s musical palette and appeal. This bold move cemented their place on easy street, appealing to a wider audience and solidifying their legacy.
To celebrate its 45th anniversary, UMe is set to release a mind-blowing Super Deluxe Edition 4CD + Blu-ray Audio box set, a treasure trove for the KISS Army and a definitive journey down memory easy street.
CD 1 presents the original album, newly remastered at the legendary Abbey Road Mastering studios, ensuring the classic tracks sound better than ever. For fans craving deeper access, CD 2 dives into the archives of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, featuring 15 demos, nine of which are previously unreleased. This peek behind the curtain offers a fascinating glimpse into the album’s creative process and the band’s journey to easy street.
CD 3 is loaded with studio outtakes, alternate versions, and mixes, including single edits. A standout inclusion is a brand-new stripped-down mix of “Beth (Acoustic Mix).” This reveals the full acoustic guitar stems recorded for the entire song, which were originally only subtly used in the album version’s closing notes. These unearthed gems provide even more reasons for fans to revisit the easy street of Destroyer‘s creation.
CD 4 captures a high-energy performance from KISS’s Paris, France show at the L’Olympia on May 22, 1976. This live recording puts listeners right in the heart of the KISS experience during their easy street ascent, showcasing their raw power and stage presence at a pivotal moment in their career.
Adding another layer of immersion, Steven Wilson, renowned for his surround sound work, has crafted a first-ever Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround mix of the original studio album. This includes two bonus tracks: “Beth (Acoustic Mix)” and “Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo).” The latter features Ace Frehley’s original guitar solo, which, while not on the original album, was previously released on the 2012 Destroyer: Resurrected project. Wilson’s mixes offer a fresh and expansive way to experience the sonic landscapes of Destroyer, guiding listeners down an auditory easy street.
The packaging itself is designed as a lift-top style box overflowing with ephemera. This collector’s dream is so packed with goodies that even the most dedicated KISS fans might need a moment to recover upon opening it. This Super Deluxe Edition is truly the easy street to comprehensive Destroyer fandom, offering everything a KISS Army member could desire to celebrate this landmark album’s 45th anniversary.
