Say what you want about Kiss, but there's a reason they've become one of the most influential and best-selling rock groups in music history. Through their unforgettable onstage set designs and special effects, iconic musical personas, and countless hits, Kiss holds a legacy as one of the best rock bands of all time -- and rightfully so.
Emerging from the New York City rock scene in the early 1970s, Kiss stood out from the rest with their larger-than-life live shows, even when they were only performing in small clubs. But the magnitude of their artistry didn't stop at their looks alone -- through early hits like "Strutter" and "Rock and Roll All Nite," it was clear right from the start that Kiss were destined for greatness.
Through the '70s, Kiss became synonymous with spitting blood, smoking guitars, and upbeat rock 'n' roll bangers, and their fame continued into the following decade when they removed their signature black and white makeup and segued into the glam metal era of the 1980s. In the 1990s and beyond, Kiss remained on top, largely due to their devoted fanbase.
Kiss albums you need in your record collection
Through these years, the band has hit album after hit album, and now stands today with 14 platinum-certified albums by the RIAA. They also have 30 gold-certified albums -- the most of any American rock group.
With so many remarkable albums, it's without a doubt that Kiss has several records that may be considered essential for any seasoned vinyl collector. Whether you're a diehard member of the Kiss Army or you just really love "Detroit Rock City," here are the essential Kiss albums to have in your record collection.
Kiss (1974)
One of the best debut rock albums, Kiss established their optimistic songwriting and fiery riffs right from the start. Interweaving heavy glam rock influences into their hard rock artistry, Kiss is one of the band's best albums and an essential collector's item.
Kiss is a certified no-skip album, and includes some of the band's most well-loved songs like "Strutter," "Cold Gin," and the powerful ballad "Black Diamond." From their very first full-length release, Kiss had truly made their mark.
Hotter Than Hell (1974)
Some rock bands put out such an amazing debut album, only to have the fire dwindle on following releases. However, for Kiss, this was far from the case. The band only got heavier and louder with their sophomore album Hotter Than Hell, with songs like "Parasite," "Hotter Than Hell," and "Let Me Go, Rock 'n' Roll" featuring some of the group's hardest-hitting compositions.
Compared to their debut LP, Hotter Than Hell was grittier both sonically and lyrically. The album's musical heaviness is largely due to the contributions of the late great Ace Frehley, whose work on "Parasite" and "Strange Ways" strengthened the album's fiery atmosphere.
Dressed To Kill (1975)
Dressed To Kill rounds out Kiss' holy trinity of their first three albums. While "Rock and Roll All Nite," arguably the band's most famous song, is what gets you to buy the album, fan-favorites like "Rock Bottom," "C'mon and Love Me," and "She" are what ultimately keep you around.
Also featuring one of Kiss' most iconic album covers, Dressed To Kill is an essential even for the more casual Kiss fan. It's also one of the more common albums to be found in record stores, making it an easier addition for your vinyl collection.
Alive! (1975)
Before releasing their debut live album Alive! in 1975, Kiss had already changed the game when it came to live shows and musical prowess. However, with Alive!, Kiss then brought innovation when it came to the live album movement.
Following the release of their first three albums, Kiss were facing issues with their then-record label, Casablanca. While these albums were widely successful, even devoted fans preferred the live sound of the band -- something that was quite difficult to capture in a recording studio.
To alleviate the tensions with both their fanbase and the label, Kiss released Alive!, a live album recorded over numerous shows from their Dressed To Kill Tour. Not only did Alive! save Kiss and Casablanca, but it is now considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time. In later years, Kiss released subsequent albums Alive II (1977) and Alive III (1993).
Numerous rock legends, like Kim Thayil and Charlie Benante, have admitted that Alive! is what introduced them to rock and metal, and the album itself is still praised to this day for its explosive sonic magnitude. One truly has to hear it to believe it.
Destroyer (1976)
One doesn't have to have an encyclopedic knowledge of Kiss to recognize the comic book-inspired cover of Destroyer. Following Alive!, Destroyer proved to be Kiss' musical breakthrough and is the album that definitively launched them into mainstream rock stardom. With a heightened production compared to that of their previous releases, Destroyer conveyed a newfound musical maturity.
Unrelenting hits like "Detroit Rock City," "God Of Thunder," and "Shout It Out Loud" are what make the album so legendary, but it's the heartfelt ballad "Beth" -- sung by drummer Peter Criss -- that rounds out the record. Destroyer marked a slight shift in sound for the band, but no doubt it cemented their journey on the road to greatness.
Love Gun (1977)
By the time they released Love Gun, their sixth studio album, Kiss were the hottest band in the world (much to the dismay of Lester Bangs, probably). Not only does it include some of their best songs (think "I Stole Your Love" or "Shock Me"), but the anthemic title track alone is enough to certify the album as one of Kiss's best.
Not only is the album the first to feature all four members singing lead vocals, but it was also the band's first top 5 record on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Animalize (1984)
When Kiss entered the '80s, there was much to be said when they made the bold move to remove their makeup. For the first time in their careers, the members of Kiss were to be seen without their face paint, and the true identities of Kiss became known.
Along with this shift in look came a shift in sound, as Kiss moved from hard rock to the glam metal tone that took over the decade. After a few bumpy albums spanning from the late '70s to the early '80s, Kiss finally began to pick up speed again with their 1983 album Lick It Up -- their first release sans makeup. However, it wasn't until Animalize that Kiss were at full speed once more.
With Animalize, Kiss delivered defining hits like "Thrills In The Night" and "Heaven's On Fire," all while leaning further into heavy metal influences than they ever had previously. Living up to the album's title, the tracks found on the record were primal, ferocious, and wild. Animalize gave great success to Kiss, along with the help of a little something called MTV.
Essentially, Animalize is one of Kiss' most solid '80s albums, and -- surprisingly -- when you go to your local record store to score some Kiss vinyl, Animalize is almost always the first one you'll find.
Asylum (1985)
Alongside Animalize, Kiss's following album, Asylum, is one of their best bodies of work to come from the no-makeup era. Similar to their previous record, Asylum continued to lean heavily into glam metal and contains many of the band's best songs to come from the '80s.
Whether it's the upbeat tracks like "Uh! All Night" and "Love's A Deadly Weapon," or the anthemic ballads like "Tears Are Falling" and "Who Wants To Be Lonely," Asylum is packed with punchy ragers. Many of the songs' music videos made the rounds on MTV, proving that Kiss knew just how to maintain their success in the years following the '70s.