Animalize

At the time of the record's release, Gene Simmons was pursuing a career in acting. Paul Stanley was thus primarily in charge of the album's production and direction.[7]

New guitarist Mark St. John stated that when recording the record, he had utilized his Rockman gear, and that heavy equalization was used to take the "Boston" sound out of the recording.

St. John was forced to leave Kiss during the subsequent tour after being diagnosed with reactive arthritis. By November 1984, he was out of the band, the third lead guitarist to exit the group in two years. When asked what 'Animalize' meant, Stanley said that people were starting to become more like computers and that "making music by pressing buttons" was no fun.

The Animalize World Tour was divided into two halves: the European leg and the U.S. leg, with two very different shows and stage sets. The European staging was essentially the Unmasked Tour stage, decorated to resemble the Animalize album cover (amps painted with leopard spots and tiger stripes). One short-lived prop saw two growling panthers covering Eric Carr's bass drums.

When Animalize became a surprise hit in America, a much larger stage set was designed for the American leg of the tour by Tait Towers.

The shows would start much in the same manner as the Dynasty show, with the band being lifted onto the stage by a lift behind the drum riser. Sound effects of a large airplane landing would be played over the speakers while the band was coming up, and after the famous "You Wanted The Best" intro the band would launch into "Detroit Rock City". This was the first tour with Bruce Kulick on lead guitar, replacing Mark St. John who couldn't play due to his arthritic condition. Originally Kulick was a temporary replacement, but St. John's condition did not improve, and Kulick was named an official member on December 8, 1984. Bon Jovi was the opening act on the European leg, with Queensrÿche, W.A.S.P., Krokus and Dokken opening shows in North America.[8]

The Animalize period was the band's most successful of the decade with the crossover success of "Heaven's on Fire" onto CHR/Top 40 radio, a very well-attended concert trek, and with Animalize selling nearly 2 million copies by the end of the tour.

In the tour program for the band's final tour, Simmons reflected on the tour:

You can't help but have a good time at one of our shows when everybody is going nuts onstage. That kind of good time is infectious. You can't fake it. You can't fool the audience. The people will see right through you if you put on a fake smile or you're not putting out your best. The band are alive and well and playing better than we ever have.[9]

In a continuation of Kiss' commercial resurgence which had begun with Lick It Up, Animalize was certified platinum by the RIAA. It was the biggest-selling Kiss album since 1979's Dynasty.

Critics and longtime fans, however, criticized the band's continued move towards a glam metal style on Animalize. Simmons fell into increasing conflict with his bandmates during this period for a variety of reasons, most of which revolved around his perceived lack of commitment to the band and preoccupation with numerous outside projects, including producing and managing other rock groups such as Black 'n Blue (whom Tommy Thayer was a member of at the time), bit parts in films like Trick or Treat (as a radio DJ), a co-starring role in Runaway, and an assortment of business ventures.

"Heaven's on Fire" became the biggest hit from the album (as well as one of the only songs to survive on the band's live setlist after the '80s), and its music video received heavy MTV rotation. It is also the only music video appearance of Mark St. John.

Guitar World magazine placed the album on their list of "New Sensations: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1984".[10]

Kiss

• Paul Stanley – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass guitar on "I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)"
• Gene Simmons – lead vocals, bass guitar
• Eric Carr – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Mark St. John – lead guitar

Additional musicians

• Bruce Kulick – lead guitar on "Lonely Is the Hunter" and "Murder in High-Heels"
• Jean Beauvoir – bass guitar on "Get All You Can Take", "Under the Gun" and "Thrills in the Night"
• Desmond Child − backing vocals
• Allan Schwartzberg – drum overdubs
• Mitch Weissman − guitar overdubs

• Animalize Live Uncensored

• No Life 'til Metal – Animalize