It’s often regarded by critics and many fans to be KISS’ finest hour. After the three hit and miss charting opportunities of their first studio albums (not due to song quality by the way), things were looking rather bleak. But with the arrival of ‘Alive,’ often understood as one of the greatest live albums of all time, everything changed. And KISS knew they had to deliver a strong, studio follow up to keep the momentum going.
With that in mind, Stanley and Simmons were adamant about hiring producing legend Bob Ezrin. Lead guitarist Ace Frehley objected, preferring to work with Eddie Kramer. The mastermind behind ‘Alive’ and the original demos. Which put a strain on his involvement in the recording process. Of course, unlimited amounts of cocaine and booze didn’t help either. But Ezrin was also a major coke head. Either way the band marched forward with their new producer. Who would take the bands song writing to the next level.
Working closely with the band, Ezrin pulled out the potential of Stanley, Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. Who co-wrote the bands biggest studio hit with Ezrin, ‘Beth.’ Ezrin had a gift of getting rock bands out of their simple, three chord song structure. And it worked with KISS. Some fans weren’t happy with the changes. But the opening track ‘Detroit Rock City,’ held the masses and pushed the album with the original fan base. Not to mention other concert staples like ‘King of the Night Time World,’ ‘God of Thunder’ and the infamous ‘Shout it Out Loud.’ The latter became the band’s biggest concert hit next to ‘Rock ‘N Roll All Night.’ But songs like ‘Beth’ and the unexpected ‘Great Expectations’ showed that KISS weren’t just another rock band that happened to wear make-up and costumes.
Other excellent highlights include ‘Flaming Youth’ and the enigmatic ‘Sweet Pain.’ Both songs of which feature Bob Kulick on lead guitar as opposed to Frehley. But Frehley’s solo from ‘Flaming Youth’ can be heard on the ‘Destroyer Resurrected’ edition of the album that Bob Ezrin produced eight years ago. The final track on the album is yet another staple of the bands live act. ‘Do You Love Me?’ is an extremely effective simplistic song. The lyrics focus on being vulnerable as a rock star. Which was of course, a major change for the testosterone pumped band. But the two chord attack during the chorus is what really makes the track pop.
It’s a pure, hard rock classic. When the album hit the shelves, the momentum of ‘Alive’ gave the album a huge boost. And while some OG fans didn’t immediately take to the new studio direction, they soon came around. ‘Destroyer’ still stands as one of the bands great triumphs. Where they tried hard to their max, without trying too hard. Something that would plague ‘Music: From the Elder’ five years later. But now, with the international quarantine, it’s a perfect time to crank up ‘Destroyer’ and relax with it and a few drinks. ROCK ON!!
