For five decades, those words have heralded the arrival of the Hottest Band in the World. But in 1975, they were a prayer for survival. Now, 50 years after the album that saved their career and changed the music industry forever, KISS is celebrating with the definitive version of their masterpiece.
Released on November 21, 2025, the KISS Alive! 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition is not just a reissue; it is a massive historical document that transports you directly back to the sweat and electricity of the Dressed To Kill Tour. Whether you grab the 4CD + Blu-ray or the massive 8LP set, this is the tribute the KISS Army has been waiting for.
The Sound: Reinvigorated and Raw
The crown jewel of this set is, of course, the original double album. Legendary mastering engineer Bernie Grundman has gone back to the original 1975 stereo analog master tapes. The result? A sound that puts Paul, Gene, Peter, and Ace front and center like never before. For the first time, the original Alive! sequence is uninterrupted on a single CD, maintaining the flow of the show.
But the real treasure for audiophiles and purists is the unreleased material. The box set boasts 120 tracks, 88 of which are previously unreleased.
Producer Eddie Kramer returned to the board to mix two complete shows:
- RKO Orpheum Theatre in Davenport, Iowa (July 20, 1975)
- Wildwood Convention Hall in Wildwood, New Jersey (July 23, 1975)
Here is the kicker: Kramer mixed these from the original multi-tracks with no overdubs. Alive! has long been debated for its studio polish, but these bonus discs offer the band’s raw, unvarnished integrity in their prime. You also get rare rehearsal tracks and songs from a June 1975 show in Cleveland.
For those with a surround sound setup, the Blu-ray Audio disc features Alive! in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Surround, creating an immersive experience that puts you right in the center of Cobo Hall.
The “Kollectibles”: A Time Capsule of 1975
KISS has always understood that rock and roll is visual, and this box set delivers on the “toy” factor. The packaging is overflowing with memorabilia that replicates the experience of being a fan in the 70s.
Included in the box:
- A 100-page hardcover book with new liner notes by Ken Sharp and unseen photos.
- A reprint of the Alive! 1975 Press Kit.
- A replica Tour Program and Ticket Stubs.
- A T-shirt Iron-on (a classic 70s staple).
- Gotham Rock City News Vol. 4, featuring a track-by-track breakdown interview with Eddie Kramer.
For the Vinyl Collectors
If you are strictly a vinyl hunter, UMe is offering two stunning limited runs exclusive to the KISS Store:
- Deluxe Picture Disc: Limited to 1,000 units, featuring a foil paper gatefold.
- Premium Color Vinyl: Limited to 3,000 units, pressed on “Gold and White Cornetto with Black Splatter,” featuring first-ever gold foil jacket details.
Final Verdict
Before Alive!, live albums were considered “career killers.” KISS flipped the script, creating a format that paved the way for Frampton Comes Alive and The Song Remains The Same.
This 50th Anniversary Edition honors that legacy perfectly. By combining the polished magic of the original album with the grit of the raw soundboard mixes and a museum’s worth of physical extras, this is a mandatory purchase for fans. It is the ultimate testament to the four guys from New York who conquered the world.
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