Release Round-Up: Week of October 27

 

Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin IV (Atlantic/Swan Song)

Jimmy Page has assembled an entire alternate version of Led Zeppelin IV as the bonus content for this new reissue, including the “Sunset Sound” mix of “Stairway to Heaven” and an alternate U.K. mix of “When the Levee Breaks.”

1-CD Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

2-CD Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Super Deluxe Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

1-LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

2-LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Digital Download: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Led Zeppelin, Houses of the Holy (Atlantic/Swan Song)

The new Houses of the Holy boasts seven bonus cuts including rough and working mixes of such tracks as “No Quarter” and “The Song Remains the Same.”

1-CD Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

2-CD Edition: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Super Deluxe Box Set: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

1-LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

2-LP Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Digital Download: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Chuck Berry, Rock and Roll Music: Any Old Way You Choose It (Bear Family) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Bear Family’s massive 16-CD survey of the complete career of the rock and roll pioneer includes every single and LP track recorded in the studio by Chuck Berry plus special bonus material!

Judy Garland, The Garland Variations: Songs She Recorded More Than Once (JSP)  (Amazon U.S. TBD /Amazon U.K.)

This exciting set rounds up, on five CDs and 115 tracks, songs the immortal Judy Garland recorded in the studio on multiple occasions between 1937 and 1962!

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, The Complete Epic Recordings Collection (Epic/Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

Epic and Legacy have a true “Texas flood” with twelve discs from guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble!  Look for Joe’s review tomorrow!

The Who, Hits 50! (Geffen/UMe)

The Who celebrate 50 years of heavy rocking with this new collection, available in multiple formats!

Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

1-CD Highlights: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Blu-ray Pure Audio: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. TBD

KISS, Love Gun: Expanded Edition (Casablanca/Mercury/UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

KISS expands its 1977 classic with an 11-track bonus CD of mostly new-to-CD music!

Paul McCartney, New: Deluxe Edition (Hear Music)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Macca expands his 2013 hit album in a DVD-sized hardcover book format including a bonus disc of audio material and a lengthy DVD compendium of live performances and more!

Silver Convention – Madhouse (1976) / Anita Pointer – Love For What It Is (1987) / 5000 Volts – 5000 Volts (1976) / Rinder & Lewis – Seven Deadly Sins (1978) (Big Break/Hot Shot)

Big Break Records has a quartet of releases in stores today!  As always, a full rundown is coming up from Joe!

Silver Convention: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Anita Pointer: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
5000 Volts: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Rinder & Lewis: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Leonard Bernstein, Edition: Concertos and Orchestral Works  (Masterworks) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Masterworks has an 80-CD (!) box set drawn from the label’s vast catalogue of CBS/Columbia recordings by the legendary maestro, Leonard Bernstein.  The label promises “every concerto, symphonic poem, overture, ballet, dance, march etc. that Bernstein recorded in New York between 1950 and 1976 (plus some in London, Paris and Israel) by nearly every composer in the standard repertoire” in this follow-up to 2010’s The Symphony Edition.

Yusuf, Tell ‘Em I’m Gone (Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens returns with his latest studio album.  On this soulful and bluesy collection, the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee blends originals with eclectic favorites including “You Are My Sunshine” and “Dying to Live.”

Barry Manilow, My Dream Duets (Verve) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

When Verve Records asked the newly-signed veteran entertainer to record a duets album, Manilow responded with a hearty “Yes!” – but only if he could record with his dearly departed favorite artists.  And so we have this collection on which Manilow has composed new duet arrangements for classic vocalists including Whitney Houston (“I Believe in You and Me”), Cass Elliot (“Dream a Little Dream of Me”), Andy Williams (“Moon River”) and Sammy Davis, Jr. (“The Candy Man”) plus some off-the-beaten-path choices like Jimmy Durante (“The Song’s Gotta Come from the Heart”) and Marilyn Monroe (“I Wanna Be Loved by You”)!

Dionne Warwick, Feels So Good (Caroline) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The pop legend returns with her latest studio album.  Produced by her son Damon Elliott, it’s heavy on “modernized,” new duet covers of Bacharach/David classics (“A House is Not a Home” with Ne-Yo, “You’ll Never Get to Heaven” with Ruben Studdard, “This Girl’s in Love with You” with Phil Driscoll) plus a couple of recycled tracks (“Message to Michael” with Cyndi Lauper and “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” with Gladys Knight) and some new songs including the title track featuring Cee-Lo Green.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Rock and Roll Time (Vanguard) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!  The veteran rock-and-roller is still pounding his piano on this new 11-track album featuring such friends as Keith Richards, Robbie Robertson, Ron Wood, Neil Young, Shelby Lynne, Nils Lofgren, and Daniel Lanois.

KISS Fire “Love Gun” Once More

KISS is firing up its Love Gun once again.  The sixth studio album from the hard-rocking band featuring Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss, Love Gun will arrive in a newly-remastered 2-CD or digital edition on October 28 adding rare and previously unreleased material to the classic, platinum-selling album.  The 1977 album, with its cover artwork from artist Ken Kelly, is notable as the first to feature lead vocals performances from Ace Frehley and all four original band members, and the last studio album with the complete original line-up. Since its initial release, Love Gun has since gone on to sell more than four million copies worldwide and reached a No. 4 Peak on the Billboard albums chart.

The upcoming release from Casablanca/Mercury/UMe includes the complete original 10-track album as produced by Eddie Kramer in a fresh remaster on the first disc, while the second CD features rare and previously unreleased material.  These extras include demo recordings of “Plaster Caster,” the song inspired by Cynthia Plaster Caster, the groupie famous for taking casts of famous rockers’ private parts, the group’s raucous reworking of Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry and Phil Spector’s Crystals hit “Then He (She) Kissed Me,” and “I Know Who You Are,” the opening lines of which evolved into the song “Living in Sin.”  The “teaching demo” of “Love Gun” offers insight into Paul Stanley’s creative process, as he’s heard talking through the song’s chord progression; a “finished” demo is also presented.  One previously issued demo, “Reputation,” was included earlier this year on the KISS 40 collection.

The second disc is rounded out by a 1977 interview with Gene Simmons plus three previously unavailable live performances from the band’s December 20, 1977 gig at the Capitol Centre in Maryland: “Love Gun,” “Christine Sixteen” and “Shock Me.”  This new reissue also includes liner notes rewritten by Joe Elliott of KISS’ current touring mates, Def Leppard.

After the jump, we have the complete track listing plus pre-order links!

Release Round-Up: Week of May 27

Holland-Dozier-Holland: The Complete 45s Collection: Invictus/Hot Wax/Music Merchant 1969-1977 (Harmless)

The H-D-H compositions/production didn’t stop after the trio left Motown; they in fact created several labels and did an awful lot of work for them, as evidenced by this massive eight-disc box set of their works for three labels through the late ’60s and ’70s. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

KISS, KISS 40 (UMe)

You wanted the best, you got the best, in the form of a double-disc hits compilation representing every KISS studio, live and compilation album with some rare tracks and an unreleased demo for collectors. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, Getz/Gilberto: 50th Anniversary Edition (Verve)

The 50th anniversary edition of the landmark bossa nova classic presents the album in both mono and stereo, with the mono version appearing on CD for the first time.  It also adds two original single sides and new liner notes from Marc Myers. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Various Artists, Playlist: The Very Best of (Legacy)

Legacy’s long-running Playlist series now features new single-disc compilations for American Idol contestants Adam Lambert and Kellie Pickler (both featuring unreleased performances from the TV series) and a very diverse collection for Rick Derringer (“Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” “Hang On Sloopy” and “Real American” on one disc?!).

Johnny Cash duets: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Rick Derringer: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Celine Dion (All the Way…A Decade of Song): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
The Fifth Dimension: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
George Jones duets: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Adam Lambert: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Kellie Pickler: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Elvis Presley – Movie Songs: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Edgar Winter: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

REO Speedwagon, The Box Set Series (Epic/Legacy)

Part of Legacy’s four-disc budget series, this title sets itself apart with a really cool gem: the inaugural release of the original studio version of live favorite “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” with Kevin Cronin’s vocal (he was replaced briefly by singer Mike Murphy following creative disputes). (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Patti LaBelle, Tasty / Carolyn Franklin, If You Want Me (Big Break)

The latest from BBR: Joe’s full rundowns are coming soon!

Patti LaBelle: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Carolyn Franklin: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Swan Esther: Original Concept Album  (Stage Door)

Stage Door Records has the CD premiere of Nick Munns and J. Edward Oliver’s 1983 British musical retelling of the Biblical story of Esther, starring Denis Quilley and Stephanie Lawrence.  This special edition adds a number of never-before-released demos recorded in 1985 for the revised show’s touring premiere as Swan Esther and The King. (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Lick It Up: “KISS 40” to Include Rare Live Tracks, Unreleased Demo

With an impending Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, a co-headlining tour with Def Leppard and a vinyl reissue campaign all on the horizon, the time seems right for KISS to remind fans of their four decades of rockin’ and rollin’ all night (and partying every day). On May 27, they’ll do just that with KISS 40, a new two-disc anthology of their hits.

As previously promised, KISS 40 features one track from each of their studio and live albums, as well as tracks from each of the original band members’ 1978 solo albums and compilation cuts (“Strutter ’78” from Double Platinum, “Down on Your Knees” from 1982’s Killers, “Let’s Put the X in Sex” from 1988’s Smashes, Thrashes & Hits and “Nothing Can Keep Me from You” from the KISS-heavy soundtrack to 1999’s Detroit Rock City).

It wouldn’t be a KISS compilation without something for the hardcore fans. In this case, it’s an unreleased demo from 1977, “Reputation,” as well as three hard-to-find live cuts from various non-retail KISS sets between 2004 and 2010.

KISS 40 can be pre-ordered after the jump, where you’ll also find the track list.

KISS Prep Smashes, Thrashes, Hits, Everything Else for Vinyl Mega-Box (UPDATED)

Think of all the reissues, repackagings and other ephemera released over the decades by the unforgettable rock band (and impending Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees) KISS. Now quadruple them. That’s pretty much what to expect with KISSteria, the latest box set announced by the band.

This limited edition set, of which 1,000 units will be made, features 34 KISS albums on vinyl in an Anvil road case packed with more merchandise than you can wave a Love Gun (or anything else, really) at. This includes nearly all their studio albums (2009’s Sonic Boom is a no-show), the original members’ four solo albums from 1978, all five Alive! releases and even a few compilations. The included merch, according to USA Today, includes 11 archival 11″x17″ posters (including the band’s first promotional poster), four lithographs, vinyl cleaning supplies (including a cloth and turntable mat), dominos and a numbered certificate of authenticity.

The fearsome foursome (original lead singer Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons plus current guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer), who will headline a tour with Def Leppard this summer, have more goodies from the vault expected, including KISS 40, a double-disc compilation featuring “one track from every major album, plus live cuts and an unreleased demo from 1977.” All of the vinyl reissues in KISSteria save for KISS Symphony: Alive IV and all of the compilations, will also be made available individually, with Amazon links prepping more than a dozen titles over the next two months.

Full pre-order info on KISSteria, including release date and pricing, will be made available at a later date, with fans being able to sign up for notification on the band’s official site. The full list of included albumsis posted below, with Amazon listings and street dates for some of the individual vinyl titles. (An Amazon U.S. listing for KISS 40, with a May 27 street date, is also live.)

• KISS (1974) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Hotter Than Hell (1974) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Dressed to Kill (1975) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Alive! (1975) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Destroyer (1976) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Rock and Roll Over (1976) (vinyl available 5/27)
• Love Gun (1977) (vinyl available 5/6 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Alive II (1977) (vinyl available 6/24)
• Double Platinum (compilation, 1978) **
• Gene Simmons (1978) (vinyl available 6/24)
• Ace Frehley (1978) (vinyl available 6/24)
• Paul Stanley (1978) (vinyl available 6/24)
• Peter Criss (1978) (vinyl available 6/24)
• Dynasty (1979) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Unmasked (1980) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Music from “The Elder” (1981) (vinyl available 5/27) +
• Killers (compilation, 1982) **
• Creatures of the Night (1982) (vinyl available 5/6 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Lick It Up (1983) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Animalize (1984) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Asylum (1985) (vinyl available 5/6 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Crazy Nights (1987) (vinyl available 5/27)
• Smashes, Thrashes & Hits (compilation, 1988) **
• Hot in the Shade (1989) (vinyl available 5/27)
• Revenge (1992) (vinyl available 4/1 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• Alive III (1993) (vinyl available 5/27)
• KISS Unplugged (1996) (vinyl available 5/6 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best!! (1996) **
• Greatest KISS (compilation, 1997) **
• Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997) (vinyl available 5/27) *
• Psycho Circus (1998) (vinyl available 4/22 – Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)
• KISS Symphony: Alive IV (2003) **
• Alive! The Millennium Concert (2006) (vinyl available 5/27 – Amazon U.S.) *
• Monster (2012)

* vinyl debut
** vinyl exclusive to KISSteria box
+ available for the first time on vinyl in “concept album sequence”

Release Round-Up: Week of December 4

Johnny Cash, The Complete Columbia Collection (Columbia/Legacy)

Perhaps the biggest box set of the quarter (maybe the whole year?), this 63-disc set collects all of The Man in Black’s Columbia albums from The Fabulous Johnny Cash (1959) to Live at Madison Square Garden (recorded in 1969 and released in 2002), plus an expansion of the Sun album Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar (1957) and two discs of non-LP singles and other odds and ends.  Here’s Joe’s review of the whole set!   (Amazon U.S. / U.K.)

Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness: Deluxe Edition (Virgin/EMI)

“Tonight, Tonight” (or today, today) is the day to get the latest Smashing Pumpkins catalogue project: four discs (three CDs and a DVD) of bonus material appended to the original double LP! (Amazon U.S. / U.K.) A triple-vinyl remaster of the original album is also available (Amazon U.S. / U.K.), as is a basic remaster of the album on two discs. (Amazon U.S. / U.K.)

The Who, The Studio Albums (Geffen/UMe)

Every one of The Who’s 11 main albums, newly remastered and replicated for vinyl. (Amazon U.S. / U.K.)

KISS, The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982 (Mercury/Casablanca/UMe)

Every A and B-side from KISS’ Casablanca years, replicated on CD (Amazon U.S. / U.K.) and, allegedly, vinyl singles, though we’ve never found a retail link for that version, outside of an outsize expensive link from Universal itself.

T. Rex, The Slider: 40th Anniversary Edition Box Set (Edsel)

A super-deluxe take on T. Rex’s iconic LP, featuring the original album remastered by Tony Visconti, two discs of B-sides, demos and outtakes, a DVD, two books, a vinyl LP and three 7″ singles. (Amazon U.K. / U.S.)

Mary Wells, Something New: Motown Lost & Found (Hip-O Select/Motown)

Two discs of rare and unreleased Mary Wells tunes from the fabled Motown vaults! (Amazon U.S. / U.K.)

Johnny Mathis, So Nice/Johnny Mathis Sings / John Hatford, Aero-Plane/Morning Bugle: The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings / The Grateful Dead, Dick’s Picks Vol. 26–4/26/69 Electric Theater, Chicago, IL 4/27/69 Labor Temple Minneapolis, MN / Gene Harris, Gene Harris/The Three Sounds/Gene Harris of The Three Sounds / Bobbi Humphrey, Dig This / Jeremy Steig, Wayfaring Stranger (Real Gone)

Real Gone’s December slate includes the last of the Johnny Mathis/Mercury two-fers, another Dick’s Pick reissue and three Blue Note selections reissued on the resurrected Dusty Groove imprint! (Head here for pre-order links on all these sets.)

The Prodigy, The Fat of the Land: 15th Anniversary Edition (XL)

The Prodigy’s breakthrough album remastered and expanded with Added Fat, an EP of new remixes of tracks like “Firestarter,” “Breathe” and “Smack My Bitch Up.” (Amazon U.S. / U.K.) That EP is available separately on vinyl (Amazon U.S. / U.K.), as is a vinyl reissue of the original LP (Amazon U.S.).

Alice Cooper, Old School 1964-1974 (Bigger Picture)

Remember this box set? This is a condensed version – just CDs, no vinyl or extra swag. (Amazon U.S. / U.K.)

The Hooters, Nervous Night/One Way Home/Zig Zag (BGO)

All three of The Hooters’ Columbia albums on one handy two-disc set. (Amazon U.K. / U.S.)

And here are some vinyl reissues for your enjoyment!

Love, Forever Changes (180 Gram) (Elektra/Rhino)

The Moody Blues, Days of Future Passed (180 Gram) (Friday Music)

Linda Ronstadt, Heart Like a Wheel (RockBeat)

Sade, Promise (180 Gram) (Audio Fidelity)

Calling Dr. Love: KISS Plan Singles Box Set

You could ask, after a remixed reissue of their most enduring studio album and a new album – their 20th – released last month, what else KISS could possibly release this year. And, because it’s KISS, you’d likely have an answer.

This year, that answer is a 28-disc box replicating every single they released on Casablanca Records during their first eight years together. From debut single “Nothin’ to Lose” and first charting tune “Kissin’ Time” to hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “Beth,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” and “Love Gun,” The Casablanca Singles captures all those original A and B-sides.

The Casablanca Singles will also feature replicas of picture sleeves from the U.S., Europe and Japan, recreated label artwork, a booklet “track[ing] the genesis and chart history of each single represented in the package” and four masks of Paul Stanley’s Starchild, Ace Frehley’s Spaceman, Gene Simmons’ Demon and Peter Criss’ Catman makeup. Additionally, the box will be available on both CD and vinyl, with four of the band’s solo singles (from the infamous 1978 solo albums) pressed on colored vinyl.

Look for The Casablanca Singles in stores on December 4, order the CD versions from Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K., and hit the jump for the full disc breakdown.

Release Round-Up: Week of August 21

KISS, Destroyer: Resurrected (Mercury/UMe)

The 1976 classic gets a new mix from original producer Bob Ezrin for its 35th anniversary. (It’s also available on vinyl, too!)

Taj Mahal, The Hidden Treasures of Taj Mahal (Columbia/Legacy)

Tomorrow may not be your day, but today certainly is if you’re a Taj Mahal fan: two discs of unreleased material – one of studio tracks, one from a 1970 show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Los Lobos, Kiko: 20th Anniversary Edition / Kiko Live (Shout! Factory)

Arguably the finest album from that band from east L.A., Kiko has been expanded with five unreleased bonus cuts and a separate CD/DVD or CD/Blu-Ray set featuring a 2006 performance of that record in its entirety.

Madness, Total Madness: All the Greatest Hits and More! (Salvo/Union Square)

A pretty simple, brand-new compilation with which you can acquaint yourself with one of everyone’s favorite U.K. ska bands.

Get Up! KISS’ “Destroyer: Resurrected” Brings Classic Album to Life with New Remix

Buildings reduced to rubble. The jeering ring of electric guitars. Lots of black and white makeup. Yep, another KISS Katalogue title is koming…er, coming.

Universal has set an August 21 date for Destroyer: Resurrected, a new version of what might be the band’s best-known studio effort. A project for Destroyer‘s 35th annversary last year has been in the cards for some time, and while the final effort – a sort of teaser for the band’s upcoming Monster album this fall – is certainly far shorter on bonus material than some may have hoped, fans will certainly be able to experience a new spin on an old classic.

The first studio effort from the iconic quartet after their breakthrough Alive!, Destroyer is almost your archetypal KISS record: catchy riffs (“Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud,”), no shortage of theatricality (“God of Thunder”) and a big sonic landscape from master producer Bob Ezrin. But it took an anomaly to send the record into the stratosphere; originally a B-side, the sentimental “Beth,” co-written and sung by drummer Peter Criss, was a lushly arranged heartbreaker that sent lighters in the air and fingers on the telephone dial to request their local stations. The tune was the band’s first and highest-charting Top 10 single (at No. 7), and took Destroyer to double-platinum status.

Destroyer: Resurrected gives the classic record a makeover, both inside and out. Not only is the original cover art by Ken Kelly reinstated (the alternate painting of the band triumphantly plowing through the wreckage of a city was initially considered too violent by Casablanca Records), but Ezrin has newly remixed the album, as well. In some cases, this involved the reinstatement of overdubs and sections left off the original masters, including extra vocals on “Beth” and an alternate guitar solo on “Sweet Pain,” which provides the album’s sole bonus track. (Ezrin recently did a great interview with KissFAQ that will likely influence your decision, one way or another, to give the reissue a shot.)

You can preorder Destroyer: Resurrected now, on CD or vinyl.

Destroyer: Resurrected (originally released as Casablanca Records NBLP 7025, 1976 – reissued Mercury/UMe, 2012)

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
11. Sweet Pain (Alternate Guitar Solo) (bonus track)

Rock Round-Up: Expansions by KISS, Pantera on the Horizon

It’s been great to say there’s been no shortage of news from the catalogue world to report on at Second Disc HQ. For hard rock fans, reports have been coming in that two famed records will be joining the ranks of other expanded and remastered editions in the coming months.

First up, one of the “open secret” titles of 2012, as reported last year: a deluxe edition of KISS’ classic 1976 effort Destroyer. The iconic rockers released Destroyer in the wake of the release of concert album Alive! a year before, which earned them their first taste of mainstream success. With all eyes on the costumed quartet, the band underwent a series of intense, ambitious sessions with producer Bob Ezrin and churned out some of the most exciting rock tunes of their career, including “Shout It Out Loud” and mood-setting album opener “Detroit Rock City.” But it was an unlikely ballad, “Beth,” sung by drummer Peter Criss, that jet-propelled the album after three middling chart singles. Altogether, Destroyer sold 2 million copies and remains one of the most beloved albums the band ever released.

Though there’s no concrete details for the content of the deluxe Destroyer (it’s expected to be presented over two discs like Universal’s other Deluxe Edition titles), it is slated for release on April 17, and will feature Ken Kelly’s original rejected artwork for the album. (Casablanca Records objected to what is now considered a tame depiction of the band standing triumphant over the flaming wreckage of a city, upon which Kelly submitted the version we all know and love today.) As always, keep it here for more info as it’s available.

But there’s more after the jump – a future reissue you might find “vulgar”…