Stream “Beth (Acoustic Mix),” from KISS’ Upcoming ‘Destroyer’ 45th Anniversary Edition Out 11/19 (Pre-Order)

On Nov. 19, KISS will revisit its classic 1976 album Destroyer for a deluxe 45th anniversary edition. One of the most immediate and esteemed albums from the larger-than-life rockers, Destroyer boasted several classic KISS tunes, including “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud” and “Beth,” which has gone on to become the band’s most successful commercial hit in the United States.

As a preview of the Destroyer reissue, KISS debuted a new acoustic mix of “Beth.” Per a news release, the original recorded acoustic guitar track was taken from the analog multi-tracks and has now been fully restored and mixed with the original piano, vocal and synthesizer tracks, adding a fresh yet familiar feel to this iconic recording.

#KISSArmy favorite, "Beth" debuts today in a brand-new acoustic version. Listen now and pre-order the album, out Nov. 19! https://t.co/S53diCYMYH pic.twitter.com/INqaPIDUK9

— KISS (@kiss) October 1, 2021

Listen:

Click here to pre-order Destroyer: 45th Anniversary Edition on 2-CD from our Rock Cellar Store
Click here to pre-order Destroyer: 45th Anniversary Edition on 4-CD/Blu-ray from our Rock Cellar Store
Click here to pre-order Destroyer: 45th Anniversary Edition on 2-LP from our Rock Cellar Store

Here’s an unboxing video of the reissue:

And a bunch of details regarding the album’s history and the various editions of the Destroyer reissue:

For the recording of Destroyer, Bob Ezrin was brought in as KISS’s new producer, helping the band reach new levels, both sonically and creatively. The album also showed the band’s growth as musicians and songwriters, experimenting with new sounds which came in the form of the softer side of songs like “Do You Love Me?,” and songs heavy with orchestral arrangements including “Great Expectations” and their Billboard No. 7 hit single “Beth.” Following the breakthrough success of 1975’s No. 9 Billboard charting Alive!, Destroyer was the KISS album that brought them to the forefront of the mainstream and transformed them into global rock icons. For its anniversary, UMe celebrates this seminal album’s legacy with a staggering amount of bonus material. 

CD 1 includes the original album newly remastered at Abbey Road Mastering, while CD 2 features 15 demos from Paul Stanley’s and Gene Simmons’s personal archives – 9 of which are unreleased. CD 3 is packed with studio outtakes, alternate versions / mixes and single edits – most notably a brand-new stripped-down mix for “Beth (Acoustic Mix),” and CD 4 contains an electrifying performance from the band’s visit to Paris France at the L’Olympia on May 22, 1976. For the Blu-ray Audio disc, Steven Wilson was brought in to create a first-ever Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround mix of the original studio album plus 2 bonus tracks “Beth (Acoustic Mix)” and “Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo)” the latter featuring Ace Frehley’s original recorded guitar solo that was not released on the studio album (this track is available on the 2012 Destroyer: Resurrected project.) 

Additionally, the Super Deluxe box features an extravagant array of collectable KISS memorabilia and ephemera, including a complete recreation of the original KISS Army Kit with the original folder and following items: 

• KISS Army newsletter Volume 1 – No 2 announcing Destroyer 
• 2x 8”x10” Destroyer Press Photos
• Discography Sheet 
• Gene, Paul, Ace & Peter Bio Sheet
• KISS Army Member Certificate 
• KISS Army Membership Card 

Also included in the Super Deluxe set: 

• KISS logo Iron-on
• KISS Army Sticker
• “Detroit Rock City” Bumper Sticker
• Destroyer Cover Sticker
• 11”x17” KISS on Westminster Bridge UK Poster
• 4 brand new 8”x10” Band Member Photos
• 8”x12” Destroyer Foil Flyer 

• 8”x12” Destroyer Canadian Flyer (super rare)
• 4x Band Member Trading Cards (newly created for this boxset) 
• 16”x24” KISS Over New York Skyline Poster
• 16”x24” KISS Halloween 1976 Concert Poster
• 2x 9”x12” Destroyer Tour Stage Blueprints on Transparent Vellum (never been seen before) 
• 16-page Destroyer 1976 Tour Program 
• Gotham Rock City News Volume 1 Newspaper that is a track-by-track interview with all 4 band members, Bob Ezrin and crew 
• 68-page hardcover book with extensive liner notes by Paul Elliott & Ken Sharp featuring interviews from Gene, Paul, Ace, Peter, then-manager Bill Aucoin, album producer Bob Ezrin, and many more about the album’s writing and production process, U.S. and European tours, photo shoots, promotional stories, band member memories from their TV appearance on The Paul Lynde Halloween Special, and an intoxicating amount of unreleased photos and imagery