KISS – Killers 12" Vinyl LP Album

- West-German 1982 Release: The Hybrid Compilation That Rekindled the KISS Flame

Album Front Cover Photo of KISS – Killers West German 1982 LP. Visit: https://vinyl-records.nl/

"Killers" captures KISS in a moment of transformation — a compilation with four newly recorded studio anthems that reignited the band’s international career after the conceptual detour of *Music from “The Elder.”* Released exclusively outside the U.S. in 1982, this West-German pressing from Casablanca/Phonogram blends the band’s greatest hits with new tracks that hinted at the harder, heavier sound of their coming rebirth. From the glossy magenta sleeve designed by Howard Marks Advertising to Barry Levine’s striking band portrait photography, every detail of this LP radiates the theatrical power and resilience that define KISS.

Table of Contents

"Killers" Album Description:

KISS, the iconic American hard rock group, has left an indelible mark on the music industry with their electrifying performances and memorable anthems. Among their extensive discography, "Killers" stands out as a unique release. It was released exclusively outside the United States, with initial pressings, such as the West-German edition, serving as an early beacon before it became widely accessible as an import. This 12" LP vinyl album showcases the band's versatility and highlights their energetic sound.

"Killers" comprises a collection of twelve tracks, including four new compositions specifically recorded for this album: "I'm a Legend Tonight," "Down on Your Knees," "Nowhere to Run," and "Partners in Crime." These fresh songs were brought to life at the request of Phonogram Records, following the commercial disappointment of KISS's previous album, "Music from 'The Elder'." With the goal of reigniting their fan base and reclaiming their status as hard rock pioneers, KISS delivered a compilation that combined both new material and fan-favorite classics. Notably, lead guitarist Ace Frehley, while appearing on the cover (a photo from "The Elder" era), did not perform on these four new studio tracks; all new lead guitar was handled by session musician Bob Kulick.

The album opens with "I'm a Legend Tonight", a powerful track penned by Paul Stanley and Adam Mitchell. Stanley's distinctive vocals soar over the driving guitar riffs, setting the stage for an adrenaline-fueled listening experience. This high-energy momentum carries into "Down on Your Knees", a collaboration between Stanley, Mikel Japp, and Bryan Adams. The song's catchy hooks and infectious chorus leave a lasting impression.

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Cold Gin", a Gene Simmons-sung classic originally written by Ace Frehley. This song showcases the band's essential riff-rock structure. "Love Gun", penned and sung by Paul Stanley, continues the album's blistering pace, offering a classic KISS anthem filled with infectious melodies and explosive guitar solos.

The album also features a remixed version of the hit song "Shout It Out Loud". Originally from their "Destroyer" album, this reimagined rendition—a 7" single mix—captures the essence of KISS's live performances, with its raw energy and anthemic choruses. "Sure Know Something", another Stanley composition from *Dynasty*, follows suit with its melodic hooks and introspective lyrics.

Flipping to Side Two, listeners are greeted by the powerful and hard-hitting new track, "Nowhere to Run", a song that showcases Stanley's vocal prowess. "Partners in Crime", a final new composition between Stanley and Mitchell, delivers a dynamic and infectious sound, further adding to the album's diverse sonic landscape.

"Detroit Rock City", a shortened edit of the band's signature anthem that removes the opening sound effects, retains its powerful impact and remains an essential inclusion on "Killers". Its driving rhythm and unforgettable guitar riffs make it a perennial favorite among KISS fans. "God of Thunder", written by Paul Stanley but vocally helmed by Gene Simmons, captivates listeners with its dark and brooding atmosphere; this version also omits the original track’s spooky intro.

The album also includes an edited version of the disco-infused hit "I Was Made for Lovin' You". This song, written by Stanley, Vini Poncia, and Desmond Child, exhibits KISS's willingness to experiment with different styles and showcases their adaptability as musicians. Closing out the album is a live rendition of their iconic anthem, "Rock and Roll All Nite", a staple in their live performances (taken from *Alive!*) that encapsulates the essence of KISS's high-octane energy and unrelenting spirit.

Hard Rock Vinyl Records | Casablanca Label Catalog | 12-Inch Stereo LP Format | West German Pressings 1982

Music Genre:

Hard Rock

Label & Catalognr:

Casablanca – 6302 193 (with yellow background colour)

Media Format:

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

Year & Country:

1982 – Made in West Germany

Production & Recording Information:

Producers:

Produced by Michael James Jackson.
Jackson, a veteran rock producer, became known for revitalizing KISS’s sound in the early 1980s and later shaped the sonic punch of artists like Armored Saint and L.A. Guns.

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Dave Thoener – basic tracks engineering
Dave Wittman – additional recording and mixing
Mastered by Alan Zentz and Brian Gardner

Thoener was a seasoned New York engineer who worked with AC/DC and Aerosmith, while Wittman was known for his sharp, polished mixes on 1980s arena rock albums. Zentz and Gardner were key figures in Los Angeles mastering, ensuring the record’s balanced analog clarity.

Recording Location:

The Record Plant Studios – Los Angeles, California, USA

The Record Plant was one of the most famous recording hubs in the U.S., hosting legends from Fleetwood Mac to Aerosmith and shaping the golden age of rock production.

Album Cover Design & Artwork:

Cover Design by Howard Marks Advertising, Inc.
Production Coordinator: Stephanie Tudor

Howard Marks Advertising was instrumental in defining Casablanca Records’ bold visual identity throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, blending glam rock aesthetics with commercial punch.

Photography:

Cover Photography by Barry Levine

Barry Levine’s portraits captured KISS at their theatrical peak, helping cement the band’s mythic stage persona in rock imagery worldwide.

Mastering Studio:

Alan Zentz Mastering, Los Angeles

Alan Zentz Mastering was a top-tier L.A. facility whose engineers handled work for major acts like Journey, Queen, and The Eagles, ensuring a high-fidelity finish for vinyl releases.

Publisher / Manufacturer:

Herausgeber: Phonogram GmbH, Hamburg
© 1982 Phonogram Int.
Printed in West Germany

Phonogram GmbH was part of the global PolyGram network, responsible for distributing many of the era’s biggest rock releases across Europe with precision pressings and high-quality artwork.

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up (Part 1):
  • Paul Stanley – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
    Paul Stanley — born Stanley Bert Eisen — the Starchild: rhythm guitar, co-lead vocals and the voice of stadium singalongs. From pre-KISS days in Wicked Lester to solo detours with Paul Stanley’s Soul Station, he’s a collector’s favorite — satin scarves, cigarette-smoke clubs and records that still hum the chorus. Visit Paul Stanley on Wikipedia
  • Gene Simmons – bass guitar, lead vocals
    Gene Simmons — stage name of Chaim Weitz — prowled stages as KISS’s Demon: bass thunder, spittle, and grand guignol. Think lacquered leather, cigarette-smoke halls and ferocious crowd singalongs. He moonlighted as producer/session player, once credited as 'Reginald Von Helsing' on Wendy O. Williams sessions — a cheeky collector's footnote with a wink. And the records still smell of teen rebellion. Visit Gene Simmons on Wikipedia
    Beyond KISS, Simmons became a global icon for his stage persona “The Demon,” combining hard rock theatrics with business acumen that made KISS one of the world’s most merchandised bands.
  • Ace Frehley – lead guitar, backing vocals
    Ace Frehley (1951–2025) was the electrifying guitarist, singer, and songwriter who co-founded KISS in 1973, defining its space-age sound and image. After leaving in 1982, he led Frehley’s Comet through the late ’80s, later returning for KISS reunions and solo tours that spanned five decades of hard rock history. Read more on Ace .
  • Bob Kulick – lead guitar on all new (1982) songs
    A respected session guitarist, Bob Kulick worked behind the scenes on several KISS recordings and later collaborated with artists such as Meat Loaf, W.A.S.P., and Lou Reed.
Band Line-up (Part 2):
  • Eric Carr – drums
    Eric Carr joined KISS in 1980, revitalizing the band’s energy with his powerful drumming and “Fox” persona. He remained a fan favorite until his passing in 1991, remembered for his technical precision and humility.
  • Peter Criss – drums
    Peter Criss — Brooklyn-born Catman, thunder on the skins and the voice behind "Beth". Co-founder and KISS drummer in 1973–1980, returned for 1996–2001 and 2002–2004; earlier stints in Chelsea and later solo work. Satin, greasepaint and a drumbeat that still rattles collectors’ racks. A vinyl-scarred wink to collectors fans! Visit Peter Criss on Wikipedia
  • Anton Fig – drums on “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” and “Sure Know Something”
    Anton Fig — South African session drummer and tasteful stick wizard: thunder for Paul Shaffer’s house band (1986–2015), played on Ace Frehley’s 1978 solo LP, sat in on KISS’s Dynasty (1979) and Unmasked (1980) and was in Frehley’s Comet (1984–1987). Tight fills, studio cred and a drummer collectors nod at. Anton Fig — Wiki

Collector’s Note: Why Three Drummers?

The presence of three drummers on "KISS – Killers" tells the story of a band in transition. Peter Criss, the original Catman, was featured on earlier classics included in this compilation, even though he had already left the group. Studio ace Anton Fig stepped in to perform on late-’70s tracks such as “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” and “Sure Know Something,” adding precise session polish where needed. By 1981, Eric Carr—the newly crowned Fox—had officially joined KISS, recording the four fresh songs with thunderous energy and a heavier, metallic edge.

In short: Criss represented KISS’s glam beginnings, Fig kept the beat steady through the studio years, and Carr ushered in a harder, rejuvenated era of the band’s sound.
The detailed line-up of the Kiss band over the years is here

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. "I'm a Legend Tonight" – Paul Stanley, Adam Mitchell (3:59)
  2. "Down on Your Knees" – Paul Stanley, Mikel Japp, Bryan Adams (3:31)
  3. "Cold Gin" – Ace Frehley (4:20)
  4. "Love Gun" – Paul Stanley (3:17)
  5. "Shout It Out Loud" (7" mix) – Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Bob Ezrin (2:40)
  6. "Sure Know Something" – Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia (3:59)
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. "Nowhere to Run" – Paul Stanley (4:32)
  2. "Partners in Crime" – Paul Stanley, Adam Mitchell (3:45)
  3. "Detroit Rock City" (edit) – Paul Stanley, Bob Ezrin (3:53)
  4. "God of Thunder" – Paul Stanley (4:11)
  5. "I Was Made for Lovin’ You" (edit) – Paul Stanley, Vini Poncia, Desmond Child (4:18)
  6. "Rock and Roll All Nite" (live) – Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons (3:58)

Disclaimer: Track durations shown are approximate and may vary slightly between different country editions or reissues. Variations can result from alternate masterings, pressing plant differences, or regional production adjustments.

Additional Production Notes:

Basic tracks for “I’m a Legend Tonight”, “Down on Your Knees”, “Nowhere to Run”, and “Partners in Crime” were engineered by Dave Thoener. Additional recording and mixing by Dave Wittman. Mastering was completed at Alan Zentz Mastering in Los Angeles with Brian Gardner. Cover design by Howard Marks Advertising, Inc., photography by Barry Levine, and production coordination by Stephanie Tudor. Album released under Casablanca Records and distributed by Phonogram GmbH Hamburg.

High Quality Photos of Album Front Cover “KISS - Killers”
Front cover of the 1982 West German release of KISS – Killers, showing the band in full makeup — Gene Simmons, Eric Carr, Ace Frehley, and Paul Stanley — posed under vivid magenta and neon lighting. The iconic KISS logo appears in bold yellow with purple outline, while the word 'Killers' slashes diagonally across in metallic blue. The image captures the band’s theatrical presence and the high-gloss finish typical of Casablanca Records pressings.

This high-resolution photograph displays the front cover of the 1982 West German release of KISS – Killers. The image features all four members of KISS in their signature stage personas: Gene Simmons as The Demon, Eric Carr as The Fox, Ace Frehley as The Spaceman, and Paul Stanley as The Starchild. They sit shoulder to shoulder in a tight formation beneath brilliant magenta lighting that forms a triangular backdrop, split by a glowing yellow-orange light beam that cuts horizontally across the frame.

The band’s costumes glisten under studio illumination — Simmons’ armor-studded vest, Carr’s feline-inspired face paint, Frehley’s silver lightning-bolt motif, and Stanley’s glossy black attire accented with a lavender headband. Each figure embodies the band’s flamboyant duality: part science fiction spectacle, part rock ritual. The artwork conveys not only the group’s larger-than-life image but also the transitional period of KISS in the early 1980s, when the lineup shifted yet the theatrical spirit endured.

The album title typography anchors the upper edge: the classic KISS logo appears in solid yellow with purple borders, while the word Killers is sharply angled in icy blue script — dynamic, almost slashed into the magenta field. The entire composition radiates the glossy, high-contrast aesthetic of early 1980s Casablanca Records production, where neon color and metallic sheen mirrored both the band’s onstage excess and the evolving era of vinyl rock iconography.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of the 1982 West German release of KISS – Killers, displaying the track listing printed in metallic blue text over a vivid magenta triangle set against a deep brown background. The design features diagonal yellow lines symbolizing light beams and contains full production credits, including producer Michael James Jackson, cover design by Howard Marks Advertising, and photography by Barry Levine. The Casablanca and Phonogram logos are printed at the bottom, marked 'Printed in West Germany'.

This image shows the back cover of the 1982 West German pressing of KISS – Killers, where the geometric precision of the artwork mirrors the band’s theatrical discipline. The striking composition centers on a large magenta triangle that dominates the frame, bisecting a dark brown field crossed by two diagonal yellow lines resembling light beams — a visual continuation of the front cover’s neon aesthetic.

The track listing is printed in bold metallic blue typeface, standing out against the vivid pink background. Side I includes “I’m a Legend Tonight,” “Down on Your Knees,” and “Cold Gin,” while Side II features “Nowhere to Run,” “Partners in Crime,” and the live classic “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Beneath the song titles, the credit line reads: Produced by Michael James Jackson, followed by engineering and mastering acknowledgments for Dave Thoener, Dave Wittman, and Alan Zentz Mastering in Los Angeles.

The lower edge of the sleeve presents crisp white text credits for Howard Marks Advertising, Inc. (cover design), Stephanie Tudor (production coordination), and Barry Levine (photography). Logos for Casablanca Records and Phonogram GmbH appear beside the statement “Printed in West Germany.” The overall effect is one of early-1980s visual sophistication — minimalist yet vivid, marrying corporate precision with glam-rock excess in a way that only KISS could command.

Record Label Photo
Close up of Side One record’s label
Close-up of the Casablanca Records yellow label from the 1982 West German pressing of KISS – Killers. The label shows a desert city skyline with palm trees and camel caravans drawn in black silhouette, beneath the classic Casablanca logo. Printed in black ink on yellow background, it lists six tracks, production credits, and catalog number 6302 193, with GEMA rights society and LC 3272 code. The text 'Made in West Germany' appears below the left palm tree rim text.

This close-up image presents Side One of the 1982 West German pressing of KISS – Killers, released on Casablanca Records and Filmworks. The label is printed in deep black ink on a soft yellow matte background, visually dominated by Casablanca’s iconic “desert palace” logo at the top. This illustration depicts a stylized Middle Eastern skyline—complete with domes, arches, and palm trees—set against the horizon, with camel caravans crossing the sands in the foreground.

The artwork symbolizes Casablanca’s exotic brand identity, originally conceived in the 1970s to evoke cinematic adventure and glamorous escapism—fitting for the larger-than-life theatrics of KISS. It serves as both a logo and a visual signature of the label, instantly recognizable to collectors. Below the logo, the text block lists six songs: “I’m a Legend Tonight,” “Down on Your Knees,” “Cold Gin,” “Love Gun,” “Shout It Out Loud,” and “Sure Know Something,” all with writing and duration credits.

Around the outer rim, the German-language copyright text encircles the label, a hallmark of European pressings. The label also features the GEMA rights society mark, the LC 3272 label code, and the catalog number 6302 193. The statement “Made in West Germany” identifies its pressing origin, while the mastering and publishing credits cite © 1982 Phonogram International under the Casablanca Records imprint. The typography is clean, centered, and classically European—clear evidence of meticulous Phonogram quality control typical of early-1980s German vinyl production.

Casablanca Records, West Germany Label

This Casablanca yellow label variation was used between 1981 and 1984 for West German pressings distributed by Phonogram GmbH. It combines the label’s signature desert illustration with modernized typography optimized for clarity on matte paper stock.

Colours
Yellow background with black printed text and artwork.
Design & Layout
Center text block with logo at top; tracklist arranged in two columns; credits below.
Record company logo
Casablanca’s illustrated “desert palace” scene with domes, palm trees, and camels—an emblem of fantasy and exoticism.
Band/Performer logo
No KISS logo printed; artist name in standard uppercase serif type.
Unique features
Matte yellow tone, small GEMA and LC 3272 codes, precision German typography, and centered layout with rim text in German.
Side designation
Printed as “1” on upper right beside the stereo and 33⅓ RPM notation.
Rights society
GEMA
Catalogue number
6302 193 (AA 6302 193 1Y)
Rim text language
German
Track list layout
Single vertical list with numbered entries and songwriter initials in parentheses.
Rights info placement
Along outer edge and below catalog data.
Pressing info
“Made in West Germany” text under the left logo margin.
Background image
Desert palace and caravan illustration, printed in solid black silhouette.

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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