From Blabbermouth.net most disturbing news.
CBK-do not kill the messenger on this one, and believe me I ain't happy about this either! Gene and Paul can kiss my dong! So, they won't do a new studio album but they will re-record their classics? Ugh. Pretty good track selection and yes, I'm morbidly curious, but this is beyond lame-will this get a US release I wonder? Also, thanks for the useless DVD included as well guys. Gene really does make my skin crawl anymore. The sad details...

According to a posting on the Kiss-Related Recordings web site, KISS's forthcoming "best-of" collection, "Jigoku Retsuden", will feature the following track listing:

01. Deuce
02. Detroit Rock City
03. I Was Made For Lovin' You
04. Love Gun
05. Rock 'n Roll All Nite
06. I Love It Loud
07. Black Diamond
08. Lick It Up
09. Christine Sixteen
10. Do You Love Me
11. Heaven's On Fire
12. Calling Dr. Love
13. Shout It Out Loud
14. Forever
15. Hotter Than Hell

"Kiss Best - Kissology" is scheduled for a release in Japan on August 27, 2008 via DefSTAR Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music Japan. The limited-edition version of the CD — which will feature the re-recorded versions of the band's classics completed with the group's current lineup (including guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer) — will also contain a bonus DVD featuring footage of KISS' April 2, 1977 concert at Budokan (taken from "Kissology Vol. 1") plus a bonus sticker. The DVDs are region-2 encoded (Japan, Europe, and Middle East), and carry no subtitles.

To pre-order this collection, visit CDJapan.co.jp.

KISS has scheduled a handful of U.S. performances in August. In honor of its 35th anniversary, the quartet will perform the "Kiss Alive!" album in its entirety, as well as some rarely played classics, according to a press release.

Upcoming KISS U.S. shows:

Aug. 04 - Sturgis, SD - Glencoe Camp Resort/Rock'n the Rally
Aug. 29 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
Aug. 30 - Stateline, NV - Harvey's Outdoor Arena at Lake Tahoe
Aug. 31 - Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Harbor Amphitheatre

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Added by Linda ~ here are the ordering details for the European pressings ...



Japanese pressing of this 2008 collection of rerecorded classics by the Rock icons. Since debuting in '74, Kiss have been mesmerizing rock kids all round the world with their ultra-entertaining Rock 'N' Roll shows. On this collection, hear them breathe new life into old cuts like 'Detroit Rock City', 'Rock And Roll All Nite', 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' and many more. 15 tracks. Sony. 2008.

Standard Edition (CD Only):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C18K2Q/?tag=imwan-20

Limited Edition (CD+DVD):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C18K2G/?tag=imwan-20

Does Kiss have a Japanese-tour coming up to merit this type of release? It would make sense to put something out, even something like this, for the market if they were touring; otherwise this is beyond shameless.

As I understand it, the idea behind the re-recordings wasn't to put the CD out for sale, but to allow the band to license their music to TV and movies without record company involvement. That they're going to sell this, to me, pretty well kinda sucks. I'm not a fan of this kind of thing in general, although I'll confess to getting the re-recorded "Alice's Restaurant" for the addition of the Carter inauguration bit.

And as far as the "complete" 'Alive!' being played on the upcoming US tour - don't bet on it. It may happen, but that's how the Euro tour was billed, and from what I've read, they didn't do the full album on the full tour.

Alan

But if you're a fan/collector, would you rather have a commercial release (albeit import-only, at least for now) or try to track down what would probably be an expensive promo item?

Well, as IP said, I'm somewhat morbidly curious, but not enough to rush out and buy this. I seem to recall hearing that they were going to give this away w/a UK newspaper, a la Prince (and I got that CD through my boss in the UK), but I haven't been interested enough to pursue it.

Would I like to hear it? Yes. But when I want to hear "Hotter Than Hell", am I going to want to listen to the one with Ace Frehley or the one with the Ace Frehley impersonator? That said, I hope this is clearly labeled as re-recordings - as long as it's clear what you're getting, fine. I hate when they make it sound like it's the original recordings and it's not.

Similar thing - Ozzy's first two albums w/the new bass and drums. Do I want to hear them? Sure. But as a fan/collector, do I want them? No. They're not the original albums, and it's more than a remaster/remix thing. It's not the original album, although as I recall, they were originally presented as new remasters, not re-recordings, although the packaging now clearly states that they have new bass and drum parts.

Alan

The Ozzy comparison is kind of apples-and-oranges, though... I don't see Kiss making the original versions OOP with the re-recordings becoming the only thing available on store shelves.

Given Simmons' reluctance to record/release new material, the band will be relying more than ever on touring and licensing revenue which makes this a pretty savvy business move.

IP, no biggie on breaking this "news." I've been on the fence about whether to post this or not. I was actually about to finally when I saw your post.

If I ever do get this, there is no way in hell I'm paying for an expensive import. To me, this oughtta be a budget release, something along the lines of a 20th Century Masters Millenium Collection.

I guess they've been rehashing these songs in their stage show for the last 12 years, so why not on CD? Oh wait, isn't that what the yearly compilations are for...?

BTW, I watched the Gene Simmons Roast on A&E last night and it was hilarious.

I've known for months about this as well, but this was still "newsworthy" as I had heard the same as the fella who mentioned it was for use in films, commercials, etc. and such and would not be released on its' own.
I kinda want to hear it-but there is that stipulation that you are not allowed to veer to far from the originals, so it makes the whole thing rather pointless.
It just pisses me off they went into the studio after all this time and this is what we get. I am also curious if this gets a US release and I'm betting it will somewhere down the line.

Yeah, the Ozzy thing isn't quite the same, but it is similar. I've also heard suspicion (though never confirmed or with any real basis) that they just might be re-recording the early stuff to do the reissue thing. There was a rumor a few years back that Prince was going to do this with all his albums. I just don't see the need to mess with the originals - especially since, as IP said, there's the "don't veer too far from the originals" idea.

The Simmons roast was quite funny, although I'd have loved to see Paul Mooney's bit. He's one funny SOB. I loved Jim Norton and Craig Gass - I suspect an uncensored version will eventually be released. Gass's Paul Stanley dropped me to the floor - I'd never heard him do that before.

Alan

I'd love to see Mooney tee off on Simmons... will have to track that down at some point.

Here's the cover art. Kind of cool looking.

That is cool-now I want it more-but so far, I remain strong and refuse!

As much as I protest, I'll probably end up getting it, but not as an expensive import. Like I said, it should be $5.99 at Wal-Mart or something like that.

Didn't they do this once before with re-recording the drum parts on Smashes, Thrashes and Hits?

I'm ill about the thought of this but really dug the updated sound on Smashes so I may check it out just because of curiosity. I really don't want any part of this dress-up version of KISS. Take off the make-up or create new characters and I'll have more enthusiasm. I'd rather see Kulick back in the band anyway,,,

The only re-recording on Smashes was Eric Carr doing the vocal on "Beth." The other tracks were remixed in a misguided attempt to make them sound more "modern."

And in a fashion, KISS has done something like this before, just look to the "live from the vaults" tracks on the now out-of-print You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best live compilation from 1996 - at the very least, the vocals on the previously unreleased tracks were re-recorded.

KISS was always pretty big here in NC, and I always found it funny that the local classic rock station would get lots of KISS requests, but didn't want to play their music. This was before the original makeup reunion. They would only play 3 KISS songs...all from Double Platinum, which told me that was the only KISS cd allowed in that station haha. Strutter '78, the remixed Detroit Rock City and Rock and Roll All Nite.

Once they reunited in makeup and scheduled an NC show(and quickly sold out), that station suddenly started playing album tracks and would back announce the songs by saying "the Triangle's home for the KISS fanatics".

They also changed some fade outs, notably "Shout It Out Loud", which ran until they started laughing. It's been years since I listened to Smashes, but I seem to recall horns being added to a song as well.

Alan

I think the only KISS CD that some rock stations have here in New England is Smashes, Thrashes & Hits . Ironically, on Peter Criss's last tour with KISS in 2003, he did an interview with WGIR before their show in Manchester, NH. After the interview ended, they played "Beth"...the Eric Carr version from Smashes.

At least your station had a better KISS remix compilation!

True. This particular station was the very first classic rock station in this market.....I always sensed their arrogance to KISS music and/or any rock music after 1980, so part of me laughs when I think about KISS being around BEFORE the station existed and is still playing long after the station switched to "today's hottest country"

Taft is getting me this for Christmas, I just know it!

This is coming out in Europe too, and I've added pre-order details to the first post. Don't yet know what format or region code the DVD will be in ...

Standard Edition (CD Only):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C18K2Q/?tag=imwan-20

Limited Edition (CD+DVD):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C18K2G/?tag=imwan-20

$42.98????????????????

What are they, high?

Guess the WAN won't be getting a kickback from my purchase of this anytime soon! Sorry, Miss Linda, if this had been a remotely reasonable price, I probably would have caved.