KISS - ASYLUM 12" Vinyl LP Album
- The sound evolution with rare photos, full track listing, and production secrets behind this hard rock classic

Asylum is the 13th studio album by the American rock band Kiss. It features the debut of lead guitarist Bruce Kulick, who played with the band on their Animalize tour and officially replaced Mark St. John in September 1984. He was the band's third lead guitarist since the departure of Ace Frehley in late 1982.

Album Description
Production & Recording Information
Band Members / Musicians
Complete Track-listing
Album Photo Gallery

"Asylum" Album Description:

For KISS fans and vinyl enthusiasts alike, the Dutch press of the band's 1985 studio album, "Asylum," holds a special charm. Released in the Netherlands by Phonogram Records, this 12" LP offers a unique twist on a hard rock classic.

A New Era for KISS

"Asylum" marked a turning point for KISS. Following the departure of original guitarist Ace Frehley, Bruce Kulick stepped in, making his debut studio appearance. This Dutch pressing features the talents of this new lineup, with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons joined by Kulick and drummer Eric Carr.

Track Listing and Legacy The Dutch "Asylum" retains the original ten-track listing, including hits like "King of the Mountain" and "Tears Are Falling." This era of KISS embraced a more polished, commercially accessible sound, a shift that garnered both praise and criticism from fans. Regardless, "Asylum" remains a solid entry in the KISS discography.

Listen to King Of the Mountain by KISS:

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

American Hard Rock

Label & Catalognr:

Mercury 826 099

Album Packaging

This album "KISS - Asylum" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and photos of the KISS band members.

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1985 – Netherlands

Producers:

Paul Stanley – Producer
Gene Simmons – Producer

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Dave Wittman – Engineer
Ed Garcia – Engineer
Ken Steiger – Engineer (also worked on Kingdom Come's self-titled debut album)

Recording Location:

Electric Lady Studio – New York City

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Howard Marks Advertising – Design

Photography:

Bernard Vidal – Cover Photography

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:

Paul Stanley – Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar on "Tears Are Falling", Lead Vocals
Gene Simmons – Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals
Gene Simmons is the pseudonym used by Chaim Weitz while playing bass in the Kiss band. He used the alias "Reginal Von Helsing" , when playing bass and producer for "Wendy O. Williams".
Bruce Kulick – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eric Carr – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:

King of the Mountain
Any Way You Like It
Who Wants to be Lonely
Trial by Fire
I'm Alive

Tracklisting Side Two:

Love's a Deadly Weapon
Tears are Falling
Secretly Cruel
Radar For Love
Uh! All Night

KISS - Asylum Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo

The front cover of "Asylum" bursts with a pop art aesthetic, presenting the four band members' faces in stark, high-contrast black outlines against a pale pink background.

Each member’s lips are highlighted in different neon shades — red, purple, blue, and green — giving the design a flamboyant and theatrical touch. The eyes stare directly outward, intense and unblinking, amplifying the confrontational feel.

Cutting across the faces are dynamic, diagonal streaks in red, yellow, and blue, resembling abstract brushstrokes that suggest motion and chaos. These stripes create a layered, almost turbulent energy across the static portraits.

In the top left corner, the KISS logo gleams in its iconic block lettering with bold blue and yellow coloring, while the word "ASYLUM" is placed in fluorescent green in the top right, jagged and sharp.

The cover combines intensity, color, and 1980s style bravado, making it both eye-catching and instantly recognizable as a product of its era.

Album Back Cover Photo

Back cover of KISS's 1985 album Asylum, Netherlands 12-inch LP vinyl release. The design shows all four band members standing in a row against a pale background, stylized with bold outlines and bright color accents. Each member wears 1980s rock attire: long coats, patterned shirts, open jackets, and flashy pants. Over their bodies and the cream-colored backdrop slash vivid diagonal streaks of red, yellow, and blue. At the top left, the handwritten track list for both sides of the album appears in black ink. In the lower right corner, production credits name Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. A barcode and catalog details are printed in the upper right, while marketing information is printed at the bottom edge. The cover combines stark band imagery with striking color graphics. — The back cover of *"Asylum"* features the four members of KISS posed in a stylized, graphic art rendering against a cream-colored backdrop. Their outfits mix long coats, patterned shirts, tight trousers, and flamboyant accessories, capturing the bold fashion of mid-1980s rock.

Across the scene, diagonal slashes in *red, yellow, and blue* streak from edge to edge, adding movement and an energetic, chaotic flair to the otherwise static lineup. Each figure is outlined in stark contrast, emphasizing their dramatic poses and hairstyles.

At the top left, the handwritten tracklist lists both Side One and Side Two in black script, giving the design a raw and personal touch. The production credits, handwritten at the bottom, attribute the album to Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons.

A barcode and catalog number appear in the top right corner, while at the lower edge, the sleeve notes acknowledge marketing by Phonogram. Together, the design blends stark band imagery with playful, disruptive color accents.

First Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve

Custom inner sleeve of KISS's 1985 album Asylum, Netherlands 12-inch LP release. The design features black-and-white photo strips of individual band members posing dramatically in various outfits, placed vertically on both sides of the sleeve. The left strip shows multiple shots of one member wearing a long robe-like outfit, striking theatrical poses. The right strip shows another member in a jacket, hands in pockets, with casual stances. Between the photo strips, the lyrics to several songs including King of the Mountain, Any Way You Slice It, Who Wants to Be Lonely, Trial by Fire, and I'm Alive are printed in black text on a white background. The overall effect is minimal but bold, mixing raw photo contact-sheet style with the full printed lyrics. — The custom inner sleeve of *"Asylum"* presents a clean black-and-white aesthetic, featuring vertical strips of band member portraits reminiscent of photographic contact sheets.

On the left side, one member is captured in multiple frames wearing a long, robe-like outfit, posing dramatically with hands on hips and expressive gestures. On the right side, another member is shown in casual stances, dressed in a jacket and trousers, projecting a more relaxed presence.

Between the photo strips, the printed lyrics to key songs including *"King of the Mountain," "Any Way You Slice It," "Who Wants to Be Lonely," "Trial by Fire,"* and *"I'm Alive"* fill the central white space, presented in neat, black serif text.

The design balances stark photography with lyrical content, giving fans both a visual and textual connection to the music while reinforcing the band’s theatrical identity.

Second Photo of Custom Inner Sleeve

Second side of the custom inner sleeve from KISS's 1985 album Asylum, Netherlands 12-inch LP release. The design features black-and-white vertical photo strips of band members on both sides, styled like contact sheets. On the left, one member appears in repeated full-body shots, standing with hands raised or posed, dressed in a vest and trousers. On the right, another member is shown in multiple frames, wearing a white long coat with black trim, striking bold rock stances. Between these strips, the printed lyrics to Side Two songs including Love's a Deadly Weapon, Tears Are Falling, Secretly Cruel, Radar for Love, and Uh! All Night are laid out in black text on a white background. Production credits and recording details appear at the bottom right. — This second view of the *"Asylum"* custom inner sleeve highlights additional black-and-white portrait strips of individual band members. The left column shows one member in repeated full-body poses, raising a hand or standing firmly in stage-ready stances, dressed in a dark vest and trousers.

On the right column, another band member appears in striking shots wearing a long white coat with dark vertical trim, projecting an assertive rock presence. Each image mimics the look of film negatives, adding to the raw and edgy effect.

Between the photo strips, the lyrics for *"Love's a Deadly Weapon," "Tears Are Falling," "Secretly Cruel," "Radar for Love,"* and *"Uh! All Night"* are neatly arranged in black text across the white background, ensuring readability.

At the lower right, detailed production credits and recording information are included, naming producers Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, recording at Electric Lady Studios, and mastering at Sterling Sound in New York.

Close up of Side One record’s label

This close-up of the Side One record label from "Asylum" shows the classic Mercury branding in bold red and yellow across the top, contrasted against a black background.

Around the outer rim, white text details copyright and reproduction restrictions, while the catalog number 826 099-1 appears clearly on the right. The left side features the BIEM and STEMRA rights society logos, along with the 33⅓ Stereo format indication.

Beneath the centered album title Asylum, the full tracklist for Side One is printed, including: "King of the Mountain," "Any Way You Slice It," "Who Wants to Be Lonely," "Trial by Fire," and "I'm Alive." Each song is followed by its respective songwriting credits.

At the bottom of the label, production credits name Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, reinforcing their dual role as both performers and producers of the album.

Index of KISS Vinyl Discography and Album Cover Gallery

KISS is one of the most iconic bands in the history of rock music. Their high-energy performances, theatrical costumes, and makeup have helped define the glam rock era of the 1970s and influenced generations of musicians. KISS's music, image, and merchandise have made them one of the most recognizable and successful bands of all time. The band's legacy continues to impact the music industry and popular culture today, making KISS a true American rock and roll icon.

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KISS - ASYLUM 12" Vinyl LP Album - The sound evolution with rare photos, full track listing, and production secrets behind this hard rock classic

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