Finally got my box set from Cram-a-thon. I did not want to buy from them but they did provide a digital free copy (even though it’s not the full version it’s the 2 disc one). I had originally ordered from KOL but if you like me were reading the Kiss faq boards I had to cancel then order on cram a thon. Is this how it’s going to go now? Large companies buying everything as a monopoly and make it impossible for the rest? Well, I still have my colored vinyl coming from kol. Maybe arriving today. On to the review…
So far I have only heard the two disc condensed version. I really like it. The new 2021 songs sound noticeably better than destroyer resurrected to me. All the added extra noise fills like the car engine revving and especially Peter Criss’s drums sound more up front and clear. The demos and extra songs sound like the best quality available was used and maybe cleaned up.
Many people have complained about the live disc being the stoned in Paris bootleg that has been around since the 70’s. Fortunately for me I never had this one or heard it so I’m happy with it. Many have said there may be better versions than what’s included here.
The packaging is the main thing that got me. This is how it was in the 70’s when you got kiss army kit or opened up a new kiss album and discovered all the extras inside like a box of Cracker Jack. It’s exciting all the contents within. Not going to spoil it here, but I plan on saving my experience of reading the book and newspaper for a rainy day. This reminds me so much of being a kid. When I used to ride my bike on new magazine Tuesday to lucky’s supermarket to hopefully get a new kiss magazine. (Lots of other kids often got to them first). This box is like a scrapbook full of 1976.
Destroyer was not my favorite kiss album. In fact, I did not like it at first at all. I went to my friend Duanes house after school to listen to his copy on one of those stereo councils that had light up disco speakers you got from Sears when it first came out. Later on I borrowed a friends copy and played it until it grew on me. Years later I would find a copy in my dads beach apartment that some past tenant left behind in a cupboard with alive. I still have those two.
I remember trying to stay up late for the Paul Lynde Halloween special but fell asleep. My dad told me I missed my band the next day. There are great photos here from the show even a poster too. My uncle Jeff said to me he wanted to take me to the Anaheim show in 76 but I was too young. I was too young in 77 too for the forum show. My dad finally took me in 79 to the Anaheim convention center show. I remember watching Cal Jam 2 on tv with my dad. He was never a rock and roll guy. He liked the Eagles and country and yacht rock soft tunes. Thank you dad. It meant a lot to me.
I was a big time fan of the early first three records. Destroyer was very different. It’s too dark for me at times. Gene talking about being a god and saying “you’d sell me your soul” well, no Gene. Bob Ezrin changed the band into a machine. Lots of studio magic on it. None of the live energy of the alive album. His thing is big concept albums and this is one of them. Maybe not quite a full concept but the songs are like stories.
The biggest thing about destroyer is the cover art by Ken Kelly. His most iconic painting. There are a few different versions of his paintings included in the book. This cover art made Kiss what they are today. I have stared at it for years now. It got painted on the sides of custom vans back then. Even as a model kit too. I had a tan iron on shirt my uncle bill gave me for Christmas in 76 with that image with groovy flame style boarder.
Was 200 too much? The printing was done in the USA which is really cool. Maybe that costs more. The foil poster and box must not have been cheap either. If the vinyl was included it may have cost much more. I think this was the right price for what you get. I have been disappointed in Kiss before but this was how it should be done. My hope is to one day get a box set with the debut album demos and wicked Lester album and demos officially.
As I said, I will savor this set over time. I do get Kiss burnout now and then and have to listen to different music but I usually come back to them later on. It’s been some time since I played destroyer so I will be spinning this for awhile.
It’s only entertainment and now and then it helps me escape for a little bit. I’m grateful for my wife and family who listen to my Kiss rants and tolerate my fandom.
If you don’t feel good, there’s a way you could, don’t sit there broken hearted…call all your friends in the neighborhood and get your party started!
This box should come with paper birthday plates and napkins.
Rock and Roll People! God Bless and Happy Trails!
