KISS - UNMASKED - 12" LP Vinyl Album

"Unmasked" is the 1980 Studio Album released by the American Glam Metal band "KISS". This web-page has hi-res photos of the album covers, record label and a detailed description.

 

High Resolution Photo #1 KISS Unmasked

Album Description:

"Unmasked", the 1980 studio album by American glam metal band KISS, remains a significant milestone in the band's discography. Produced by Vini Poncia for Mad Vincent Productions, with assistance from Anne Streer, the album showcased KISS exploring new musical territories while maintaining their signature sound. With its captivating album cover illustration by Victor Stabin, Mark Samuels, and Jose Rivero, "Unmasked" is a must-have for any KISS fan and vinyl collector.

Recorded at the prestigious Record Plant in New York City, the album benefited from the expertise of sound engineer Gray Russell. Russell's contributions played a crucial role in capturing the band's energy and translating it onto the vinyl medium. To further enhance the album's sound quality, the mastering was performed at Sterling Sound in New York City by the renowned George Marino, who added his magic touch to make the songs shine.

While "Unmasked" saw the departure of original drummer Peter Criss, who only appeared in promotional material and did not contribute to the album's recordings, the remaining members of KISS stepped up to the challenge and delivered a memorable record. Paul Stanley showcased his skills on rhythm guitar and provided his unmistakable vocals that have become synonymous with KISS's anthemic sound. Gene Simmons, the band's iconic bassist, delivered his trademark growling vocals and thunderous bass lines that anchored the album. Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist, left his indelible mark on "Unmasked" with his distinctive guitar solos and added his voice to the mix.

With "Unmasked", KISS explored a more pop-oriented sound, embracing catchy melodies and incorporating elements of disco and new wave. The album featured hit singles like "Shandi" and "Talk to Me", which displayed the band's ability to create infectious hooks while staying true to their rock roots. Other notable tracks included "Is That You?" and "Naked City", which showcased the band's versatility and songwriting prowess.

Despite its initial success, "Unmasked" received mixed reviews from critics and faced backlash from some fans who felt that KISS had strayed too far from their hard rock roots. However, the album has stood the test of time, gaining recognition as an important chapter in KISS's evolution and an intriguing snapshot of the band's artistic exploration during the early 1980s.

Music Genre:

  American Hard Rock 
Album Production information: 

The album: "KISS - Unmasked" was produced by: Vini Poncia for Mad Vincent Productions. assisted by Anne Streer

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Gray Russell

This album was recorded at: Record Plant, New York City.

Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City by George Marino

George Marino: legendary mastering engineer behind iconic albums by Metallica, AC/DC, and more. Explore his life and groundbreaking career in music.

Album cover illustration: Victor Stabin with Mark Samuels and Jose Rivero

Record Label Information:

  Casablanca 6302 032

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

  1981 Made in West Germany
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: KISS - Unmasked
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Paul Stanley - rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Gene Simmons - bass guitar, vocals
  • Ace Frehley - lead guitar, vocals
  • Peter Criss - drums (credit only)
Complete Track-listing of the album "KISS - Unmasked"

The detailed tracklist of this record "KISS - Unmasked" is:

    Track-listing :
  1. "Is That You?" Gerard McMahon Paul Stanley 3:59
  2. "Shandi" Stanley, Vini Poncia Stanley 3.36
  3. "Talk to Me" Ace Frehley Frehley 4.00
  4. "Naked City" Gene Simmons, Poncia, Bob Kulick, Pepe Castro Simmons 3:49
  5. "What Makes the World Go 'Round" Stanley, Poncia Stanley 4:14
  6. "Tomorrow" Stanley, Poncia Stanley 3:18
  7. . "Two Sides of the Coin" Frehley Frehley 3:16
  8. "She's So European" Simmons, Poncia Simmons 3:30
  9. "Easy As It Seems" Stanley, Poncia Stanley 3:24
  10. "Torpedo Girl" Frehley, Poncia Frehley 3.31
  11. "You're All That I Want" Simmons, Poncia Simmons 3.04
High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover  "KISS - Unmasked"

High Resolution Photo #1 KISS Unmasked

High Resolution Photo #2 KISS Unmasked

High Resolution Photo #3 KISS Unmasked

Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

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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