The Year Of KISS: Destroyer (1976)

“All Of The Fame And The Masquerade…..”

KISS released their legendary live album, Alive!, in September of 1975. The album was a risky move for both the band and Casablanca records. Another lackluster release would most likely shutter the record label’s doors and with it, possibly KISS’ future. Luckily, the album proved to be a massive hit and on the strength of one single, a live version of “Rock And Roll All Nite,” and a brilliant packaging scheme that included a tour book and letters from the band, KISS found themselves on top of the world. Of course, being on top meant that their next studio album would have to blow listeners away as well, or the band could find itself back at the bottom of the barrel.

With producer Bob Ezrin at the helm, KISS’ fourth studio album, 1976’s Destroyer, would become the band’s signature release. The album was released on March 15th and by November it was certified platinum. It was the first KISS studio album to achieve platinum status. It was also the first KISS record to receive backlash from fans. Many older fans of the band’s raw, rowdy sound were taken aback by the strings, a ballad, and all of the bells and whistles that Ezrin added to the recording. Despite this, the album found new fans with the November release of the single “Beth,” a ballad sung by drummer Peter Criss that featured a piano and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. It was out of character for the band but new listeners embraced Criss’ raspy vocals and they turned out to purchase the album. Most of the group’s older fans would eventually fall in love with the album and to this day it is considered to be their greatest release.

Everything about the album, from it’s amazing cover created by Ken Kelly to its use of an orchestra, a calliope, a children’s choir, and more, would firmly cement the album on future lists of iconic records. It had nine tracks and a tenth “hidden” instrumental track. There were five singles released from the album: “Shout It Out Loud,” “God Of Thunder,” “Flaming Youth,” “Beth,” and “Detroit Rock City.” The album would top out at #11 on the Billboard 200 chart and “Beth” would become the band’s biggest hit, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.

Track Listing:

1. Detroit Rock City
2. King Of The Night Time World
3. God Of Thunder
4. Great Expectations
5. Flaming Youth
6. Sweet Pain
7. Shout It Out Loud
8. Beth
9. Do You Love Me?
10. Rock And Roll Party (hidden track)

Personnel: Paul Stanley (lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar), Peter Criss (lead vocals, backing vocals, drums), Gene Simmons (bass, lead vocals, backing vocals), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, backing vocals).

The album featured a lot of new things that older fans weren’t accustomed to from the band. Cackling children on “God Of Thunder,” one of Gene’s signature songs, was downright creepy. The punchy calliope on “Flaming Youth” gave a youthful sound to the track and, at least in my opinion, made it a better song as a whole. The orchestra on “Beth” was excellent and the many ambient sounds on “Detroit Rock City,” from the diner noise to the revving car engine and Alive! playing on the radio and especially the car crash that flies right into the opening for “King Of The Night Time World,” this album definitely pushed the envelope.

I love this album. It’s one of my favorites by the band. I love how unique it sounds compared to other studio releases by the group and it features many of my favorite songs. My favorite songs on this album include “Flaming Youth,” “King Of The Night Time World,” “Do You Love Me,” and “Shout It Out Loud.” I could probably list all of the tracks as favorites, but these four really stick out in my mind. I love Ace’s solo on “Shout It Out Loud” and on “Detroit Rock City.” Everything about “King Of The Night Time World” is amazing, but I especially love the rhythm guitar work. This album is truly a work of art.

The album has been re-released a few times. A remastered version of the original album was released in the 1990’s along with all of the band’s other releases up to and including Crazy Nights (originally 1987). In 2012, Destroyer Resurrected was released featuring the album’s original artwork, another remaster by Bob Ezrin, and the inclusion of Ace Frehley’s original solo on “Sweet Pain” and the original album version featuring a solo by Dick Wagner of Alice Cooper’s band. 2021 saw the release of the 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe edition with four discs and a Blu-ray.

Thanks for checking out my review. This album was slickly produced by still retained the edge that KISS established with their previous albums. If you want the original lineup of KISS in top form, Destroyer is one of the best albums to experience them.