Kiss / Alive! Alternate Edition

A monumental, top-tier release of “official-grade” quality! This is “Another *ALIVE!*”—a meticulously reconstructed version of the classic *ALIVE!* album, created by a professional engineer using raw soundboard recordings arranged to match the official setlist. It is the definitive document capturing the full scope of the “Dressed to Kill” tour in 100% authentic stereo soundboard audio. The raw, pre-overdub performances offer a level of impact that is in a league of its own. Furthermore, it includes tracks that didn’t make the official *ALIVE!* cut—”Room Service,” “Strange Ways” (featuring Peter on vocals!), “Two Timer,” “Let Me Know,” and “Ladies In Waiting”—restored to their original positions in the set. It’s mind-blowing… an absolute must-listen! …This is incredible. Something truly extraordinary has happened. KISS’s greatest masterpiece, *ALIVE!*—that legendary live album has been reborn as a “100% raw version” completely free of overdubs. What’s more, the sound quality is on par with an official release. This is a massive, top-tier title—an urgent 2-CD release! As you know, the 1975 album *ALIVE!* is a shining monument in rock history that catapulted KISS to superstardom overnight. While its brilliant content spread the band’s appeal worldwide, it is also widely known that the official version was a “manufactured live album,” heavily treated with studio overdubs and re-recordings. So, what would the album have sounded like if it captured the raw, unadorned live performance before all that “makeup” was applied? This release turns that “fan’s dream” into reality. It is “Another *ALIVE!*” crafted by a renowned professional engineer. At its core, this release consists of unprocessed, unedited soundboard recordings gathered from the various shows taped for the original *ALIVE!* project. We have previously released titles such as *DEFINITIVE DETROIT 1975*, *CLEVELAND 1975 THE LOST KISS ALIVE!*, *THE COMPLETE DAVENPORT 1975*, and *DEFINITIVE WILDWOOD 1975*—each presenting the raw soundboard recordings that served as the foundation for the official *ALIVE!* album. These were raw performances, devoid of overdubs, yet they remained merely “source material” tied to specific individual shows. This new release represents the culmination of the series: a project that meticulously reassembles that material to match the setlist of the official *ALIVE!*, finally completing it as a cohesive “album.” You might imagine this simply involves rearranging disparate clips chronologically, but that is not the case. The work was handled by the same person behind *ROCK AND ROLL OVER REMIX* and *A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES Expanded ELDER Redux*—a genuine professional engineer with years of experience in musical theater. Anyone familiar with those two titles will immediately understand: the craftsmanship is exquisite, with perfect tone, balance, and timing. Despite being drawn from raw soundboard recordings—where the feel and nuances would naturally vary from show to show—the material has been transformed into a unified “album” that flows seamlessly, as if it were always meant to be that way. While adhering to the track order and structure that made the official *ALIVE!* a masterpiece, this release is constructed entirely from raw, un-overdubbed performances, yet it maintains a remarkable sense of cohesion. It features a mix completely distinct from the official release, yet it resonates undeniably as a “complete *ALIVE!*.” That is the true meaning behind the title *THE ALTERNATE ALIVE!*—a version of *ALIVE!* consisting of 100% authentic, raw performances from before the overdubs. The tracks on this album fall into two main categories. The first consists of the immortal classics also featured on the official *ALIVE!*; the entirety of “Disc 1” corresponds to the material found on Sides A and B of the original *ALIVE!* vinyl. The section corresponding to the analog version’s Sides C and D consists of tracks 5 through 11 on Disc 2. This segment mirrors the track order of the original *ALIVE!* album, featuring a succession of classic songs that are deeply etched in the listener’s memory. Naturally, these are authentic live performances—raw, unpolished, and occasionally imperfect—captured before any studio overdubs. Yet, it is precisely these qualities that make the sound so ferocious, thrilling, and viscerally real. They speak more eloquently than a thousand words about just how intense KISS was before the “magic” of the studio was applied. While many of you may have already experienced the source soundboard recordings through our shop’s acclaimed releases, hearing them within the context of the actual album flow offers a completely different level of impact. Next, we have the tracks that complete the intended setlist: tracks 1 through 4 and the final track (track 12) on Disc 2. As the tracklist below shows, these songs were part of the repertoire that didn’t make the cut for the official *ALIVE!* release; here, they are seamlessly integrated into their proper places within the setlist. Naturally, the best takes were carefully selected and expertly finished. Let’s look at each song individually: “Room Service” (Davenport)—an incredibly rare track performed only a few times during the tour; while it was an instrumental during soundchecks, here you can enjoy a unique version featuring vocals. “Strange Ways” (Davenport)—featuring Peter Criss’s original vocals, contrasting with the soundcheck version where Gene sang the lead. “Two Timer” (Detroit)—an ultra-rare track performed only at this Detroit show during the 1970s. “Let Me Know” (Detroit)—a song with a storied history; it was recorded at Cobo Hall as a candidate for *ALIVE!* but was dropped from the tracklist at the last minute. “Ladies In Waiting” (Detroit)—included as a bonus track at the end of Disc 2. It remains a mystery whether this track was performed during the “Dressed to Kill” tour or was exclusive to the “Alive!” tour. By seamlessly integrating these tracks among the standard setlist, this release transcends the concept of merely being “another *Alive!*”; it serves as a comprehensive sonic blueprint capturing the entire repertoire of the “Dressed to Kill” tour—the very tour that launched KISS to stardom—all in pristine soundboard quality. While the previously released soundboard albums for individual shows represent “raw, on-the-spot records,” this release is a polished, re-structured “work of art.” It is the “*Alive!*” as it was truly meant to be, assembled by a professional engineer with a track record of acclaimed releases. It is remarkable how such a distinct and moving experience can emerge from the same source material. This two-disc set crystallizes everything into a single live album: the raw, unadulterated KISS (free from studio overdubs), the elusive tracks left off the original album, and a complete overview of their breakthrough tour. A monumental release of official-grade quality! This is “another *Alive!*”—a masterpiece reconstructed by a professional engineer using raw soundboard recordings, meticulously arranged to match the official album’s setlist. The authenticity of these raw, pre-overdub performances offers a listening experience on a whole new level; furthermore, it includes tracks omitted from the official *Alive!*—”Room Service,” “Strange Ways” (featuring Peter on vocals!), “Two Timer,” “Let Me Know,” and “Ladies In Waiting”—restored to their original positions in the set. This is the definitive release, a 100% raw stereo soundboard recording that captures the full scope of the “Dressed to Kill” tour. Disc:1 (37:47) 1. Deuce (Wildwood) 2. Strutter (Wildwood) 3. Got To Choose (Wildwood) 4. Hotter Than Hell (Wildwood) 5. Firehouse (Wildwood) 6. Nothing To Lose (Cleveland) 7. C’mon & Love Me (Cleveland) 8. Parasite (Detroit) 9. She (Wildwood) Disc:2 (62:57) 1. Room Service (Davenport) 2. Strange Ways (Davenport) 3. Two Timer (Detroit) 4. Let Me Know (Detroit) 5. Watching You (Davenport) 6. 100,000 Years (Cleveland) 7. Black Diamond (Wildwood) 8. Rock Bottom (Davenport) 9. Cold Gin (Davenport) 10. Rock & Roll All Nite (Cleveland) 11. Let Me Go, Rock & Roll (Davenport) 12. Ladies In Waiting (Detroit) Cobo Hall, Detroit, MI, USA 16th May 1975 Music Hall, Cleveland, OH, USA 21st June 1975 R.K.O. Orpheum Theater, Davenport, IA, USA 20th July 1975 Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood, NJ, USA 23rd July 1975 Paul Stanley – Guitar, Vocals Gene Simmons – Bass, Vocals Ace Frehley – Guitar Peter Criss – Drums, Vocals STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING