Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Creatures Of The Night from 1982 is a seminal album in the KISS catalog. It crushed fans’ expectations with a huge, back-to-rock sound and has become a fan favorite and cult classic. On November 18th, 2022, UMe will release Creatures Of The Night 40 as a 5-CD + Blu-ray audio super deluxe edition, 3-LP deluxe, 2-CD deluxe, 1-LP half-speed master 180gm, 1-CD remaster, as well as a 5-CD super deluxe edition digital download + streaming and 2-CD digital download-only version plus a color vinyl exclusive. All configurations can be pre-ordered through the official KISS online store.
Having rechanneled their efforts into consciously making a return to the hard rock that they were known for, KISS — Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Eric Carr — unleashed Creatures Of The Night in October of 1982. In addition to a harder sound, the album is also noted for its heavier, darker mood. The single I Love It Loud has been performed on nearly every subsequent KISS tour, while War Machine, the ballad I Still Love You and the title song also featured heavily in their live sets for a number of years. Also of note is Killer, which featured the group’s first songwriting collaboration with their soon-to-be-guitarist Vinnie Vincent. Creatures Of The Night received accolades in magazines such as Kerrang! and Guitar Player — which both placed the album in their Top Five end-of-year chart for 1982 — and has attained gold album status (sales of 500,000+).
Even though original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley appeared on the Creatures Of The Night album cover, he did not play on the LP. The guitar tracks on the effort were laid down by several musicians, including Robben Ford, Steve Farris and Vincent, who later became Frehley’s replacement. Creatures Of The Night also saw KISS collaborating with outside songwriters, including the then-relatively unknown Bryan Adams.
During an interview on SiriusXM‘s Rocktails With Ahmet Zappa show earlier this year, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons stated, “The Creatures record was a transitioning record because Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were out of the band. You can’t do it all yourself, so we brought in different guitar players, different things, and we co-wrote.”
The Creatures Of The Night 40 super deluxe boasts 103 total tracks with 75 tracks being unreleased. Newly remastered on CD 1, the original album has never sounded better. CDs 2 and 3 feature 34 demos, rarities and outtakes, including previously unreleased gems such as Deadly Weapon (Penny Lane Demo), Not For The Innocent (Demo) and Betrayed (Outtake). CDs 4 and 5 highlight 26 incredible, soundboard live recordings from the Creatures’82/’83 tour and seven super-rare tour sound effects, all recorded and archived by the Creatures tour sound engineer Harry Witz. The Blu-ray Audio disc showcases a first-ever Atmos and 5.1 surround mix from the original album multi-tracks plus the high-resolution newly remastered 1982 stereo mix of the original album. Additionally, the super deluxe box features an extensive array of bonus kollectible KISS memorabilia and ephemera, including:
80-page Hardcover Book with Extensive Liner Notes by Ken Sharp and a treasure trove of unreleased photos and imagery
Creatures Of The Night 1982 Press Kit featuring:
- Creatures Band Press Bio Sheet
- Creatures Tour Band New Poster 11”x17”
- 2 Stage Drawings
- The Loudest Band In The World Poster 16”x24”
- Japanese Promo Poster 16”x22.5”
- Band Black & White Promo 8”x10”
- Gene, Paul, Eric & Vinnie Color Photos 8”x10”
- Creatures 40th T-shirt Iron-on Transfer Sheet
- “I Love It Loud” Bumper Sticker
- Australian Creatures Sticker
- Marcanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro 6/18/83 Replica Ticket
- Creatures Tour “Detroit” VIP Cloth Sticky Backstage Pass
- 4 Killers-era Trading Cards
- Creatures 1982 Replica Tour Program
- Gene, Paul, Eric & Vinnie – Chris Hoffman Illustrations 9”x12”
- Gotham Rock City News Volume 2 Newspaper – Track-By-Track Interviews with Gene, Paul, Eric, Vinnie, Michael James Jackson, Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance, Adam Mitchell and Mikel Japp
- 4 Glow-In-The-Dark Guitar Picks
- Iron-on Patch
- 4 Buttons
Disc One: Creatures Of The Night
Original Album Remastered
1. Creatures Of The Night
2. Saint And Sinner
3. Keep Me Comin’
4. Rock And Roll Hell
5. Danger
6. I Love It Loud
7. I Still Love You
8. Killer
9. War Machine
Disc Two: Demos, Rarities & Outtakes
1. I’m A Legend Tonight
2. Down On Your Knees
3. Nowhere To Run
4. Partners In Crime
5. Deadly Weapon (Penny Lane Demo)*
6. Feel Like Heaven (Penny Lane Demo)*
7. Nowhere To Run (Penny Lane Demo)*
8. Deadly Weapon (Original Demo)*
9. Feel Like Heaven (Original Demo)*
10. Nowhere To Run (Take 11 –Instrumental)*
11. Tell It To A Fool (Take 4 –Drums & Bass Instrumental)*
12. Chrome Goes Into Motion (Take 2 –Drums & Bass Instrumental)*
13. I’m A Legend Tonight (Mix 4 –Instrumental & Background Vocals)*
14. Don’t Leave Me Lonely (Take 8 –Drums & Guitar Instrumental)*
15. Something Seems To Happen At Night (Gene Simmons Demo)
16. It’s Gonna Be Alright (Gene Simmons Demo)
Disc Three: Demos, Rarities & Outtakes
1. Legends Never Die (Gene Simmons Demo)
2. It’s My Life (Gene Simmons Demo)
3. Not For The Innocent (Demo)*
4. I Still Love You (Take 1)*
5. I Still Love You (Take 2)*
6. Saint And Sinner (Take 1)*
7. Saint And Sinner (Take 2 –False Start)*
8. Saint And Sinner (Take 3)*
9. Betrayed (Outtake)*
10. Creatures Of The Night (Alternate Mix 19)*
11. Partners In Crime (Alternate Mix 16B)*
12. I Love It Loud (Alternate Mix 21)*
13. War Machine (Full-Length Version –Mix 11)*
14. Rock And Roll Hell (Take 2–9/10/1982)*
15. Rock And Roll Hell (Take 1 –Incomplete–9/15/1982)*
16. Rock And Roll Hell (Take 2–9/15/1982)*
17. I Love It Loud (Single Edit)
18. Creatures Of The Night (1985 Remix)
Disc Four: Creatures Tour Live ‘82/’83 –Part One
1. Creatures Of The Night (Rockford, Illinois–12/31/1982)*
2. Strutter (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
3. Calling Dr. Love (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
4. Firehouse (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
5. I Love It Loud (Rockford, Illinois–12/31/1982)*
6. Cold Gin (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
7. Keep Me Comin’ (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
8. War Machine (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
9. I Want You (Houston, Texas –3/10/1983)*
10. Rock And Roll Hell (Rockford, Illinois–12/31/1982)*
11. I Still Love You (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
12. Shout It Out Loud (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
13. Gene’s Bass Solo (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
14. God Of Thunder / Eric’s Drum Solo / God Of Thunder (Rockford, Illinois–12/31/1982)*
Disc Five: Creatures Tour Live ‘82/’83 –Part Two:
1. Paul’s Love Gun Rap (Rockford, Illinois–12/31/1982)*
2. Love Gun (Rockford, Illinois–12/31/1982)*
3. Paul’s Guitar Solo (Rockford, Illinois–12/31/1982)*
4. Black Diamond (Houston, Texas–3/10/1983)*
5. Detroit Rock City (Houston, Texas–3/10/1983)*
6. Rock And Roll All Nite (Houston, Texas–3/10/1983)*
Bonus Live Performances:
7. Rock And Roll Hell (Sioux City, Iowa–12/30/1982)*
8. I Want You (Rockford, Illinois –12/31/1982)*
9. King Of The Night Time World (Pine Bluff, Arkansas–2/11/1983)*
10. Cold Gin (Houston, Texas–3/10/1983)*
11. I Still Love You (Houston, Texas–3/10/1983)*
12. Strutter (Houston, Texas–3/10/1983)*
Bonus Creatures Tour Sound Effects:
13. Tank Start Of Show*
14. Turbine*
15. Firehouse Siren*
16. Drum and Ending Tank*
17. Bass Solo Wind and Gargoyles*
18. Bells*
19. Flames*
Blu-Ray Audio: Creatures Of The Night
*48kHz 24-bit Dolby Atmos / *48kHz 24-bit Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround / 96kHz 24-bit High-Resolution PCM Stereo
1. Creatures Of The Night
2. Saint And Sinner
3. Keep Me Comin’
4. Rock And Roll Hell
5. Danger
6. I Love It Loud
7. I Still Love You
8. Killer
9. War Machine
* Previously unreleased
3LP Deluxe Edition – Color Vinyl – ECOMM Exclusive
LP One:
Creatures Of The Night
Original Album Remastered:
Side One:
- Creatures Of The Night
- Saint And Sinner
- Keep Me Comin’
- Rock And Roll Hell
- Danger
Side Two:
- I Love It Loud
- I Still Love You
- Killer
- War Machine
LP Two:
Demos, Rarities & Outtakes
Side Three:
- Deadly Weapon (Original Demo)*
- Betrayed (Outtake)*
- I’m A Legend Tonight (Mix 4 – Instrumental & Background Vocals)*
- Nowhere To Run (Take 11 – Instrumental)*
Side Four:
- It’s My Life (Gene Simmons Demo)
- Not For The Innocent (Demo)*
- Rock And Roll Hell (Take 2 – 9/10/1982)*
- I Love It Loud (Alternate Mix 21)*
- Don’t Leave Me Lonely (Take 8 – Drums & Guitar Instrumental)*
LP Three:
Creatures Tour Live ‘82/’83
Side Five:
- Creatures Of The Night (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- I Love It Loud (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- Keep Me Comin’ (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- War Machine (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
Side Six:
- I Want You (Houston, Texas – 3/10/1983)*
- Rock And Roll Hell (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- I Still Love You (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
*Previously Unreleased
2CD Deluxe Edition
DIisc One:
Creatures Of The Night
Original Album Remastered
- Creatures Of The Night
- Saint And Sinner
- Keep Me Comin’
- Rock And Roll Hell
- Danger
- I Love It Loud
- I Still Love You
- Killer
- War Machine
Disc Two:
Demos, Rarities & Outtakes
- Deadly Weapon (Original Demo)*
- Betrayed (Outtake)*
- I’m A Legend Tonight (Mix 4 – Instrumental & Background Vocals)*
- Nowhere To Run (Take 11 – Instrumental)*
- It’s My Life (Gene Simmons Demo)
- Not For The Innocent (Demo)*
- Rock And Roll Hell (Take 2 – 9/10/1982)*
- I Love It Loud (Alternate Mix 21)*
- Don’t Leave Me Lonely (Take 8 – Drums & Guitar Instrumental)*
Creatures Tour Live ‘82/’83
- Creatures Of The Night (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- I Love It Loud (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- Keep Me Comin’ (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- War Machine (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- I Want You (Houston, Texas – 3/10/1983)*
- Rock And Roll Hell (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- I Still Love You (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
*Previously Unreleased
1CD Remaster:
Creatures Of The Night
Original Album Remastered
- Creatures Of The Night
- Saint And Sinner
- Keep Me Comin’
- Rock And Roll Hell
- Danger
- I Love It Loud
- I Still Love You
- Killer
- War Machine
1LP Half-Speed Vinyl – 180-Gram Black Vinyl
Side One:
- Creatures Of The Night
- Saint And Sinner
- Keep Me Comin’
- Rock And Roll Hell
- Danger
Side Two:
- I Love It Loud
- I Still Love You
- Killer
- War Machine
Super Deluxe Edition – Digital
Disc One:
Creatures Of The Night
Original Album Remastered + Atmos*
- Creatures Of The Night
- Saint And Sinner
- Keep Me Comin’
- Rock And Roll Hell
- Danger
- I Love It Loud
- I Still Love You
- Killer
- War Machine
Disc Two:
Demos, Rarities & Outtakes
- I’m A Legend Tonight
- Down On Your Knees
- Nowhere To Run
- Partners In Crime
- Deadly Weapon (Penny Lane Demo)*
- Feel Like Heaven (Penny Lane Demo)*
- Nowhere To Run (Penny Lane Demo)*
- Deadly Weapon (Original Demo)*
- Feel Like Heaven (Original Demo)*
- Nowhere To Run (Take 11 – Instrumental)*
- Tell It To A Fool (Take 4 – Drums & Bass Instrumental)*
- Chrome Goes Into Motion (Take 2 – Drums & Bass Instrumental)*
- I’m A Legend Tonight (Mix 4 – Instrumental & Background Vocals)*
- Don’t Leave Me Lonely (Take 8 – Drums & Guitar Instrumental)*
- Something Seems To Happen At Night (Gene Simmons Demo)
- It’s Gonna Be Alright (Gene Simmons Demo)
Disc Three:
Demos, Rarities & Outtakes
- Legends Never Die (Gene Simmons Demo)
- It’s My Life (Gene Simmons Demo)
- Not For The Innocent (Demo)*
- I Still Love You (Take 1)*
- I Still Love You (Take 2)*
- Saint And Sinner (Take 1)*
- Saint And Sinner (Take 2 – False Start)*
- Saint And Sinner (Take 3)*
- Betrayed (Outtake)*
- Creatures Of The Night (Alternate Mix 19)*
- Partners In Crime (Alternate Mix 16B)*
- I Love It Loud (Alternate Mix 21)*
- War Machine (Full-Length Version – Mix 11)*
- Rock And Roll Hell (Take 2 – 9/10/1982)*
- Rock And Roll Hell (Take 1 – Incomplete – 9/15/1982)*
- Rock And Roll Hell (Take 2 – 9/15/1982)*
- I Love It Loud (Single Edit)
- Creatures Of The Night (1985 Remix)
Disc Four:
CREATURES TOUR LIVE ‘82/’83 – PART ONE
- Creatures Of The Night (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- Strutter (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- Calling Dr. Love (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- Firehouse (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- I Love It Loud (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- Cold Gin (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- Keep Me Comin’ (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- War Machine (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- I Want You (Houston, Texas – 3/10/1983)*
- Rock And Roll Hell (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- I Still Love You (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- Shout It Out Loud (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- Gene’s Bass Solo (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- God Of Thunder / Eric’s Drum Solo / God Of Thunder (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
DISC FIVE:
Creatures Tour Live ‘82/’83 – Part Two
- Paul’s Love Gun Rap (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- Love Gun (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- Paul’s Guitar Solo (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- Black Diamond (Houston, Texas – 3/10/1983)*
- Detroit Rock City (Houston, Texas – 3/10/1983)*
- Rock And Roll All Nite (Houston, Texas – 3/10/1983)*
Bonus Live Performances
- Rock And Roll Hell (Sioux City, Iowa – 12/30/1982)*
- I Want You / Vinnie’s Guitar Solo (Rockford, Illinois)*
- King Of The Night Time World (Pine Bluff, Arkansas – 2/11/1983)*
- I Want You (Rockford, Illinois – 12/31/1982)*
- I Still Love You (Houston, Texas – 3/10/1983)*
- Strutter (Houston, Texas – 3/10/1983)*
Bonus Creatures Tour Sound Effects
- Tank Start Of Show*
- Turbine*
- Firehouse Siren*
- Drum and Ending Tank*
- Bass Solo Wind and Gargoyles*
- Bells*
- Flames*
* Previously unreleased
18 Responses
I found this out very recently , for all remastered remixed recordings to sound great , you need a very very good sound system to really hear what the engineers and band are trying to accomplish – with a basic system turn table receiver 2 speakers , unfortunately you won’t get intrument depth or the realism that the band is in the room with you …. I recently heard dark side of the moon remastered remixed on my buddy’s high end 40 k system , and was stunned at the depth of sound , the synths and keys literally danced around the room cymbals sounded like they were in the room – to me there is no point buying these recordings unless you can really hear them ~
Late happy birthday Dana. I can’t believe you never owned Destroyer.
Hi Yankee Rose,
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes, I truly appreciate it. 🙂
As for not owning Destroyer, I’m not really a KISS fan, so that might explain it. I only bought Creaturesfor I Love It Loud, and to my surprise, it turned out to be a pretty great album.
My friends and I had tickets for the COTN tour, with Motley Crue being the opening band. We were more interested in seeing Crue than KI$$. Sadly, the concert got canceled due to low ticket sales.
At this time in the KI$$ era, KI$$ sucked and it was not cool to be a KI$$ fan. Kinda sad, cuz I think COTN is a pretty good album.
I still have my copy of COTN, the version with the “glow I’m the dark” eyes of each official band member.
I wouldn’t say they sucked, they were definitely going through a major transition, trying to reinvent themselves again. “The Elder” was an experiment gone wrong, although there are a few good songs on that album, but don’t forget about the 4 great new songs on “Killers!” In my opinion it was those 4 songs that saved their asses and helped create COTN! I stuck with KI⚡⚡, I just had a feeling that even after “The Elder” they were going to be great again!
I remember that time exactly. When Van Halen 1 came out. Kiss was in the dust! I think about that time now and then I guess it was right after Dynasty which was a big album. The we got Unmasked. I wished I still had the originals 3 albums in mint condition would probably be worth a fortune now.
Doug R., you previously had mentioned to me about those four “Killers!” songs, and it was based on your recommendation that I bought that CD. Great recommendation! You also countered my “accusation” that “Dynasty” was a disco album. And you were right, again! Only a couple of the songs are disco influenced, with others being rockers.
Thanks, RH! Yea especially Ace’s 3 songs, in particular “Hard Times!” He was on fire! And definitely a song I can relate to, as I’m sure most people can.