Kiss / Love Gun Complete Sessions

Another earth-shattering demo album has arrived from KISS’s exclusive source network! This time, the focus is on the 1977 masterpiece *Love Gun*. It is the definitive collection, comprehensively covering 20 studio takes using new masters of the highest quality ever heard. The “Complete Sessions” series has previously brought to light the hidden behind-the-scenes details of classic albums like *Dressed to Kill*, *Destroyer*, and *Rock and Roll Over*. This latest installment targets the production sessions for *Love Gun*. While the official deluxe edition included a few *Love Gun* demos, this release dwarfs that collection with a massive 20 takes. Moreover, every track comes from a new, top-quality master obtained through exclusive insider channels—these are not copies of previously released material. It is a truly “complete” edition, packed with unreleased songs and alternate takes that were left untouched by the official deluxe edition. Although the tracks are sequenced chronologically here, let us introduce them based on how they were ultimately utilized—such as demos for album tracks or unreleased songs. Demos for album tracks (7 songs, 8 takes): “Love Gun” (2 takes). The album’s title track opens the set. Paul wrote this demo in April 1977 aboard the “Clipper Kiss Special” while returning from the Japan tour; it is a version that differs significantly from the finished product. Additionally, the final track (Track 20) ​​features a “Love Gun (Rehearsal Take).” It captures a stripped-down performance with Paul singing and playing guitar in a very raw style, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of the moment this classic song was born. “Christine Sixteen”: An early demo by Gene. It is a raw version where differences from the finished track are evident throughout. Since the official deluxe edition did not include this demo as a standalone track, it is a rare gem unique to this release. “Got Love For Sale”: The original version from the time when the working title was “Have Love Will Travel”; the title alone gives it the feel of a completely different song. “Tomorrow And Tonight”: An instrumental demo featuring a guitar solo by Ace Frehley that differs from the finished version. “Hooligan”: An early demo by Peter Criss, possessing a slightly harder edge than the final release. “Almost Human”: An early demo showcasing an arrangement distinctly different from the finished version. “Plaster Caster”: An alternate version featuring vocals and a guitar solo that differ from the final release. “Obnoxious”: The earliest original version of the song that would later become “Reputation”—a demo recorded while it still bore a different title. “Reputation (Take 1)” and “Reputation (Take 2)” represent the evolved form of “Obnoxious” under its new title. “Take 1” includes a piano part that would eventually be repurposed for “Christine Sixteen.” “Take 2,” on the other hand, is a version without piano, written with the intention of having rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis participate. Unfortunately, Jerry missed his flight and never made it to the studio to record the piano, though Gene’s lyrics still contain references hinting at his intended involvement. Fans can only dream of what a collaboration between these two true rock legends might have sounded like. While only one take appeared on the official deluxe edition, this release allows you to trace the evolutionary process from “Obnoxious” to the two takes of “Reputation.” “I Know Who You Are” (including “Take 2”) and “Reputation” were also recorded during the same sessions. These are early versions of “Living in Sin,” a song that appeared on Gene Simmons’ 1978 solo album. “Take 2,” in particular, features the piano part that was later repurposed for “Christine Sixteen.” It is a rare gem that reveals the extensive trial and error that went into crafting such a classic song. Songs repurposed for other works (5 tracks): “Much Too Soon” – A song created during the *Love Gun* sessions but ultimately left unused; however, some of its phrases evolved into “X-Ray Eyes,” which appeared on *Dynasty*. “Larger Than Life” – Although this song eventually ended up on Side 4 of *Alive II*, it originated during the *Love Gun* sessions. At that stage, however, it bore little resemblance to either the finished version or the *Alive II* demo, offering a chance to enjoy an original version that stands as a distinct song. “Tunnel Of Love” – Recorded during the same sessions as “Christine Sixteen” but scrapped at the last minute; while it was included on Gene Simmons’ 1978 solo album, the original demo presents a slightly different version. “Mongoloid Man” – Originally recorded as an instrumental titled “Daily Planet” during the *Rock and Roll Over* sessions. A final version with lyrics was produced during the *Love Gun* sessions but was not included on the album; it finally saw the light of day on *The Vault*. “Eat Your Heart Out” – This is the most shocking track of the lot. Although it appeared on the 2012 album *Monster*, it was actually created back during the *Love Gun* sessions. While the existence of “Mongoloid Man” was known through Gene’s interviews, this track was a surprising new discovery unknown even to researchers. Here, one can hear the original version, which features different lyrics from the *Monster* release. Unreleased songs that were scrapped entirely (2 tracks): “Love Bite” – A song Peter Criss submitted for *Love Gun*. It was one of two songs he offered (the other being “Hooligan”), but this one was rejected. “I’ve Just Begun To Fight” – A song Gene recorded prior to the *Love Gun* sessions that was rejected. It was re-recorded in 1985 by the Bruce Kulick/Eric Carr lineup but was not included on *Asylum* either. This collection features a gem of a song that was unlucky enough to miss the cut for the album on two separate occasions. In total, this treasure trove comprises 20 takes. From the various original versions that evolved into tracks like “Christine Sixteen” and an “alternate *Love Gun*” (constructed from demos), to songs repurposed for other projects and unreleased tracks that didn’t make the final cut—this is the definitive release that comprehensively covers the *Love Gun* studio sessions with the highest audio quality ever achieved. It is a “hidden masterpiece” worthy of sitting right alongside the original *Love Gun* on your shelf. This is the ultimate, comprehensive collection of demos and outtakes from the legendary *Love Gun* album. All 20 takes are sourced from exclusive insider channels and presented in the highest quality available. Offering far more content than the official deluxe edition, this essential release serves as an “alternate *Love Gun*,” covering everything from the evolution of “Christine Sixteen” to discarded, unreleased tracks. A complete collection featuring new masters of the highest quality! 01 Love Gun 02 Christine Sixteen 03 Got Love For Sale 04 Tomorrow And Tonight 05 Hooligan 06 Almost Human 07 Plaster Caster 08 I Know Who You Are 09 I Know Who You Are (Take 2) 10 Much Too Soon 11 Obnoxious 12 Reputation (Take 1) 13 Reputation (Take 2) 14 Larger Than Life 15 Love Bite 16 Eat Your Heart Out 17 I’ve Just Begun To Fight 18 Mongoloid Man 19 Tunnel Of Love 20 Love Gun (Rehearsal Take)