Dynasty (Kiss Album) - Album Information

Album Information

The album and the following tour, were billed as the "Return of Kiss". Kiss had not released a studio album since 1977's Love Gun. Instead, the band released their second live album and each member had recorded eponymous solo albums, which were simultaneously released on September 18, 1978.

After pre-production and rehearsals were completed, Vini Poncia (who had produced Peter Criss), decided that Criss' drumming was substandard, an opinion shared by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Criss by this time hindered by injuries suffered to his hands in a 1978 car accident. Kiss hired South African-born studio drummer Anton Fig, who played on Ace Frehley, to play on the Dynasty sessions. With the exception of his song, "Dirty Livin'", Criss does not appear on the album, and he would not perform on another Kiss album until 1998's Psycho Circus. Fig was again hired to replace Criss during recording sessions for the following album Unmasked. Eric Carr was hired as Criss' replacement before the tour for the album began.

Frehley, who himself would depart the band about eighteen months later, sings three songs on Dynasty: "Hard Times", "Save Your Love" and a cover of the Rolling Stones song "2000 Man". Although he had frequently sung backing vocals and had written the Kiss classics "Cold Gin" and "Parasite", Frehley had only debuted as a lead singer on his song "Shock Me" on Love Gun because he lacked confidence in his ability as a lead singer.

Stanley's "I Was Made for Lovin' You" was a concerted effort to write a hit song in the vein of disco music, which was popular at the time. It was one of their biggest singles ever, peaking at #11 on the American singles chart. He also sang on "Sure Know Something" and "Magic Touch". In contrast, Simmons sings lead vocals on only two songs: "Charisma" and "X-Ray Eyes". The album cover is actually a collage of photos taken from the photo session, and not a group shot as it appears. Giorgio Moroder was originally scheduled to produce Dynasty.. Escape from Hell was the subtitle of Dynasty's Japanese release.

The album, includes a colorful jacket cover. The label shows, a portriat of all four members instead of the usual Casablanca label. Inserts: merchandise order form and a full color poster.