Name: KISS - CHRONICLES OF THE ELDER (3 CD)
SKU: K39990
Availability: InStock

Description

The definitive collection of unreleased studio material from the recording sessions for Music from The Elder Recorded at: Penny Lane Studios, Ace in The Hole Studio & Ezrin Farm Studios & Sounds Interchange January-July 1981

Invitation and start the recording of what will eventually turn into the legendary Music From The Elder.

On this three disc set all the circulating, unreleased sessions that chronicle the creation of Music From The Elder are compiled.

　KISS’s most controversial concept album, “MUSIC FROM “THE ELDER,” is now available as a 3-CD permanent preservation press, revealing the ultimate behind-the-scenes demo album!

　This album features studio recordings made during the production of “The Elder.” This three-disc set brings together most of the tracks currently in circulation in the highest quality. While the previous album, “Complete “The Elder” Sessions (Shades 1702),” with a similar concept, has become a staple in our store, new discoveries have been made since its release. It can no longer be called “Complete.” This album has been reconstructed to include all of these new tracks. It has been reborn as a definitive three-disc set, over an hour longer than the previous album, “Shades 1702.”

[A change of direction that dramatically changed the band’s fate]
　This album is recorded in rough chronological order of the sessions. In fact, this is surprisingly important. “THE ELDER” did not start out as a concept album. At the start of the sessions, the band aimed to return to a classic hard rock style (to dispel distrust of “UNMASKED”), and Rob Freeman, not Bob Ezrin, was planned to be the producer.

　However, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and manager Bill Aucoin felt that this wasn’t enough and decided on a bolder change of direction. This was the concept album “MUSIC FROM “THE ELDER”.” They hired Bob Ezrin, an old friend who had also had great success with PINK FLOYD’s “THE WALL,” as producer. They moved to Ezrin’s farm studio in Toronto and began work on the story album. However, Ace Frehley was opposed to this change. He was the only one who did not accompany them to Toronto, and most of the guitar solos that had already been recorded were discarded. This change of direction also led to a definitive rift within the band.

　This album records those studio sessions in chronological order. In other words, it is not just a collection of the original material for THE ELDER, but also a history album that traces the biggest turning points in KISS history through studio music. Now, let’s take a look at each disc.
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[DISC 1: Heavy-Duty Sessions with Unreleased Songs] DISC 1,
the earliest “Penny Lane Studios” sessions
　, covers sessions from the “Hard Rock Project” period before the band changed direction. Many of the songs were scrapped after the band’s change of direction, and the majority of the songs are unreleased on albums.

　First, the production of “THE ELDER” began with the “Penny Lane Studios” sessions in January 1981. At this point, no producer had been decided, and three songs were produced: “Deadly Weapon (2 takes),” “Feel Like Heaven (2 takes),” and “Nowhere To Run (2 takes).” None of these songs made it onto “THE ELDER,” but they weren’t completely discarded either. “Deadly Weapon” was reused for “Love’s A Deadly Weapon” on “ASYLUM,” “Feel Like Heaven” was included on Peter Criss’s “LET ME ROCK YOU,” and “Nowhere To Run” was included on “KILLERS.”

Ace’s “Ace in the Hole Studio” session

　The band then hired producer Rob Freeman and continued working at Ace in the Hole Studio, which left five tracks: “Kix R 4 Kids (2 takes),” “Only You,” “Untitled Instrumental,” “Heaven (2 takes),” and “Don’t Run (2 takes).”

　The songs included on “THE ELDER” are “Only You” and “Don’t Run,” the latter being the original version of “Dark Light,” a song co-written by Ace, Gene, Anton Fig, and Lou Reed, and the only song sung by Ace.

　”Kix R 4 Kids” is an unreleased song that has yet to be completed, but “Heaven” was recreated by Ace as “Breakout” on “FREHLEY’S COMET,” and KISS also completed it as “Carr Jam 1981” on “REVENGE.”
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Discs 2-3: Toronto Sessions After the Change in Direction: Discs 2-3, replacing
the Ezrin Farm Studios/Sounds Interchange sessions
　, contain demos recorded in Toronto after the band’s change in direction. In addition to five previously unreleased instrumentals, the album also includes four tracks: “A World Without Heroes (2 takes),” “Just A Boy (11 takes),” “Escape From The Island (6 takes),” and “The Council Of The Elder.”

　The album was often completed in Toronto, allowing viewers to enjoy the production process of the official songs featured on the album. “Just A Boy” in particular features 11 takes, with various versions permanently preserved, ranging from raw, practice-style takes to highly polished alternate arrangements. While this number is actually fewer than the 23 takes on the previous album, “Shades 1702,” this is due to careful selection and organization by researchers. The previous album also contained many fragmented takes, with minor reworkings divided into separate tracks. This release omits takes that are difficult to distinguish from others, and includes only the truly distinct and complete takes.

　One track that stands out in particular is “The Council Of The Elder,” an instrumental that has long been considered the source material for the final version of “Under The Rose.” While the intro is similar, the five-and-a-half-minute track develops into an aggressive section that is different from the album. This is the first time it has been released on CD.

The final soundboard on this album is a
　treasured soundboard, released on CD for the first time. It is the TV show “FRIDAYS” recorded at ABC Studios on January 15, 1982. There was no world tour accompanying “THE ELDER,” and this TV appearance was their only live performance. The three songs performed were “The Oath,” “A World Without Heroes,” and “I” from “THE ELDER.” All are extremely rare, with “The Oath” in particular being an extremely rare song that would remain sealed for 30 years.

　This TV appearance was also their final live performance before Ace left the band. Subsequent media appearances were as a trio without Ace, or lip-syncing. By the time they returned to the stage again (at a show in Bismarck on December 29, 1982), Vinnie Vincent had taken over as their second guitarist.

　This is a treasure trove of 42 takes spanning 2 hours, 49 minutes, and 57 seconds. It’s over an hour longer than the once-definitive “Complete “The Elder” Sessions,” and it’s a truly exceptional three-disc set, bringing the quality to new heights. Beyond being merely a collection of alternate versions of “Music from “The Elder,” this is also a historical masterpiece that musically documents the history of Ace Frehley’s life up until his departure. Please enjoy this 3-CD press anytime, anywhere, without ever losing its luster.

This is the ultimate demo album, revealing the behind-the-scenes production of the mysterious concept album “MUSIC FROM “THE ELDER”. It’s an ultimate three-disc set, over an hour longer than the previous album with a similar concept, “Shades 1702”. It includes unreleased tracks from the band’s attempt at a standard hard rock album, demos of official album tracks, and even the only live performance from the “THE ELDER” era, the TV show “Fridays”, all permanently preserved on a top-notch, updated soundboard.

Disc:1 (70:25)
01. Deadly Weapon [Original Demo]
02. Deadly Weapons (Penny Lane Studio Demo – January 1981)
03. Feel Like Heaven [Original Demo]
04. Feel Like Heaven (Penny Lane Studio Demo – January 1981)
05. Nowhere To Run (Take 1 – Instrumental)
06. Nowhere To Run (Penny Lane Studio Demo – January 1981)
07. Kix R 4 Kids 1
08. Kix R 4 Kids 2
09. Only You (Demo)
10. Untitled Instrumental
11. Heaven 1 (Original Of Breakout – Carr Jam 1981)
12. Heaven 2 (Original Of Breakout – Carr Jam 1981)
13. Don’t Run (Original Of Dark Light – Alternate Endings)
14. Don’t Run (Original Of Dark Light – Fade Out)

Disc:2 (52:34)
1. Untitled Instrumental 1
2. Untitled Instrumental 2
3. Untitled Instrumental 3
4. A World Without Heroes Take 1
5. A World Without Heroes Take 2
6. Just A Boy (Take 1 – Strings With Click Track)
7. Just A Boy (Take 2 – Bass With Click Track)
8. Just A Boy (Take 3 – Vocals)
9. Just A Boy (Take 4 – Keyboard)
10. Just A Boy (Take 5 – Strings)
11. Just A Boy (Take 6 – Strings And Play)
12. Just A Boy (Take 7 – Strings And Play)
13. Just A Boy (Take 8 – Bass)
14. Just A Boy – Nowhere To Run
15. Just A Boy (Full Demo – No Reverb)
16. Just A Boy (Full Demo – Reverb)

Disc:3 (46:58)
1. Instrumental 1
2. Instrumental 2
3. Escape From The Island Take 1
4. Escape From The Island Take 2
5. Escape From The Island Take 3
6. Escape From The Island Take 4
7. Escape From The Island Take 5
8. Escape From The Island Take 6
9. The Council Of The Elder

Live Recordings from Fridays, ABC Studios, Los Angeles 15th January 1982
10. The Oath
11. A World Without heroes
12. I

After their triumphant European and Australian tour in the Fall of 1980 KISS returns to New York for the holidays and start rehearsals for their upcoming album at SIR in January.

With producer Rob Freeman to helm the recording process the band soon moves to Ace Frehley’s new built “Ace In The Hole” studio in Wilton, Connecticut.

These sessions later move to Manhattan’s Penny Lane Studios and result in some back to basics meat and potatoes KISS songs. Paul and Gene aren’t happy with the final result though. They want to broaden their musical horizon instead of embracing their heavy rock fans again that made them the megasucces they turned into in the 70’s.

Instead they unveil a plan to alienate themselves even further from their core fanbase.

That plan is: Music From The Elder, a concept album with a mythical story that would show the world they are true musicians and not just a fad that would fade into oblivion.

Freeman is fired and Gene and Paul hire Bob Ezrin of Destroyer fame to huge dismay of Ace Frehley!

Ezrin had just finished the highly succesfull Pink Floyd’s The Wall, and invites the band over to Toronto and all, except Ace (who continued working in the Ace In The Hole studios) accept the invitation and start the recording of what will eventually turn into the legendary Music From The Elder.

On this three disc set all the circulating, unreleased sessions that chronicle the creation of (Music From) The Elder are compiled.

This makes Chronicles of The Elder the complete musical journey of this landmark album in Kisstory.

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BONUS 2 CD-R IF YOU ORDER TODAY!

The ultimate demo version of “Elder: Demon World Showdown” has finally arrived: “CHRONICLES OF THE ELDER.” To celebrate its release, the first week of release will include a special expanded album, “A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES EXPANDED ELDER REDUX,” which delves deeper into the concept world.

★This title is a special bonus available for one week only. It will not be included from the following week, so if you are interested, please order as soon as possible.

KISS – A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES Expanded ELDER Redux(Ltd Bonus 2CDR)
Music from The Elder: Expanded Version

[An expanded version of the official album produced by a professional researcher and enthusiast]
　The main 3CD press is the ultimate demo album that details the behind-the-scenes story of KISS’s most controversial work, “Elder: The Great Demonic Battle.” As a bonus, a core enthusiast has prepared a concept masterpiece that super-expands the epic story world.

　This work is essentially a studio release that could be described as an expanded and complete version of “Elder.” It’s a two-disc concept album that clocks in at a whopping 110 minutes (more than 2.5 times longer than the original, which was about 43 minutes long!). It was produced by an overseas researcher and enthusiast who is a huge fan of “Elder.” It features remixes and rearrangements of related demos, solo albums by the band members, unreleased recordings, and cover versions.

[Making full use of the seeds of Elder that have spread throughout the scene]
　Of course, the main focus is the original “Elder” and the KISS members, but that’s not all. “Take Me Away (Together As One),” taken from Paul Stanley’s solo album, also features performances by Carmine Appice and Bob Kulick, and Doro Pesch’s singing can be heard on “Legends Never Die” and “Only You (Part 2)” (these two songs were covered by Doro on his solo album, and it seems that those takes were used). While the details are unclear, it seems that YouTubers who weren’t even born during the “Elder” era are also participating.

[A new Elder exudes deep musical appeal] On
　its own, this might seem like a rubbish album, but when you actually listen to it, you’ll be blown away by its incredible level of perfection. The producer is a musical enthusiast with many years of experience, and the storytelling world he creates is incredibly dramatic. He has a firm grasp of Bob Ezrin’s methods, having created concept albums with Alice Cooper and Lou Reed, making this a dramatic album that makes you think, “This is how they really wanted to make it.” It’s a dramatic two-disc story album that could only have been created by a musical professional.

　”Elder: Demon World Showdown” is a representative example of a unique and controversial work. The main press 3CD is the ultimate compilation that compiles existing demo material at the highest quality, making it the “origin of Elder.” In contrast, this work is an expanded version that takes the official “Elder” as its starting point and pursues its possibilities to the fullest. This is a special project that allows you to collect the “origin” and “future” of this historic masterpiece all at once. Please take this opportunity to experience it to the fullest.

Disc:1 (53:25)
ACT ONE
1. Prologue
2. Council of the Elder
3. A World Without Heroes (Part 1)
4. Just a Boy
5. Mr. Blackwell
6. Only You (Part 1)
7. Dark Light
8. Nowhere To Run
9. A World Without Heroes (Part 2)
10. Only You (Part 2)
11. Under the Rose
12. Odyssey
13. Legends Never Die
14. Journey of 1,000 Years

Disc:2 (56:38)
ACT TWO
1. fanfare
2. The Oath
3. Meeting At The Well
4. Take Me Away (Together As One)
5. Under the Rose (reprise)
6. A Malevolant Order (Don’t Run)
7. Odyssey (reprise)
8. The Light In His Eyes
9. A World Without Heroes (Part 3)
10. I’m A Legend Tonight
11. I (Believe In Me)
12. Closing Medley
13. The Oath (w/Ace Solos)

Special Bonus 2CDR for “CHRONICLES OF THE ELDER”(ZODIAC 825) This Weekend Only