Creatures of the Night [180-Gram Vinyl]

by Kiss

Overview

Kiss were in the midst of multiple crises in the early '80s, and 1982's Creatures of the Night was an attempt to claw out of confusion, reverse waning popularity, and return to true heavy metal form. Their flirtations with pop and disco on 1979's Dynasty and 1980's Unmasked had alienated die-hard fans, and their membership had been in upheaval throughout. Eric Carr took over on drums for 1981's convoluted concept album Music from "The Elder," and though it rocked, the record was too overwrought for many and flopped commercially. Guitarist Ace Frehley was checked out during this time as well, and while he was credited as playing on Creatures of the Night (and appeared on early editions of the album cover art) it was actually Vinnie Vincent who provided the burning leads and recharged playing that led the album. Ultimately the nine songs that make up the set were a return to form, falling back into loud and brawny riff-based rock, huge drum sounds, and power balladry, and adding technically improved performances to a sound that had been flailing for a while. Sinister groovers like "Rock and Roll Hell," party anthem "I Love It Loud," and the razor-sharp "War Machine" all put Kiss back in the ring with metal greats of the early '80s like Ozzy and Priest. The obligatory ballad "I Still Love You" is eerier and more tormented than Kiss' usual slowed-down material, keeping consistent with the intensity of the rest of the album. Though Creatures of the Night didn't end up returning Kiss to the level of commercial success they enjoyed in the '70s, it did bring them back to heavy metal with a vengeance, and set the tone for the rest of the '80s to follow suit. It's a weighty, ominous record, doing much to restore the balance of danger and fun that made their best work so exciting. ~ Fred Thomas

Product Details

Release Date:	10/14/2014
Label:	Universal
UPC:	0602537753734

Tracks

1. Creatures of the Night
2. Killer
3. Keep Me Comin'
4. Rock and Roll Hell
5. Danger
6. I Love It Loud
7. I Still Love You
8. Saint and Sinner
9. War Machine

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kiss   Primary Artist
Gene Simmons   Primary Artist,Primary Artist,Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Vinnie Vincent   Guest Artist,Guitar
Shep Lonsdale   Drums
Eric Carr   Bass,Drums,Vocals (Background)
Peter Criss   Drums
Niko Bolas   Drums
Richard Bosworth   Drums
Jimmy Haslip   Bass
Mike Porcaro   Bass
Dave Wittman   Vocals (Background)
Ace Frehley   Guitar
Adam Mitchell   Guitar
Steve Farris   Guitar
Paul Stanley   Guitar,Vocals
Robben Ford   Guitar
Ron Grenell   Drums

Technical Credits

Shep Lonsdale   Tuning
Bob Ezrin   Composer
Bob Clearmountain   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
Kevin Reeves   Mastering
Kim Fowley   Composer
Vincent Cusano   Composer
Eric Carr   Composer,Musician,Group Member
Gene Simmons   Composer,Producer
Vinnie Vincent   Composer
Joseph M. Palmaccio   Remastering
Niko Bolas   Engineer,Drum Engineering
Richard Bosworth   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Jim Vallance   Composer
Michael Barbiero   Engineer,Drum Engineering
Micki Free   Composer
Mikel Japp   Composer
Dave Wittman   Mixing,Engineer
David Bianco   Engineer,Second Engineer
George Marino   Mastering
Anne Richmond Boston   Assistant Engineer
Ace Frehley   Composer,Musician,Group Member
Adam Mitchell   Composer
Paul Stanley   Composer,Producer,Group Member
Bill Levenson   Remastering Supervisor
David Thoener   Engineer
Howard Marks   Design
Michael James Jackson   Producer
Mitchell Kanner   Redesign
Kevin Eddy   Engineer,Assistant,Second Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Robert V. Conte   Consultant
Mark Anthony   Composer
Richard Whittaker   Mixing
Vinnie Cusano   Composer
Bernard Vidal   Cover Photo
Yasuhito Kitai   Liner Notes
Vincent John Cusano   Composer
Michael Japp   Composer
Ron Grenell   Tuning
Ricky Delano   Engineer,Second Engineer