Animalize (1984 studio album by Kiss)

Background

Recorded after the band erased their makeup era and in the wake of the previous album, Animalize finds Kiss engaging with contemporary hard rock and metal trends of the early 1980s. The album followed a string of releases through the 1970s and early 1980s that expanded the band's audience beyond their original stadium-rock image.

Music, personnel and style

Musically, Animalize blends hard rock riffs, melodic choruses and the production styles of its era. It features driving guitar work and the signature vocal approaches of the band's founding members. The record also introduced a revised touring and studio lineup that affected the band's live and recorded sound.

Release and reception

Upon release the album spawned at least one widely played single and received attention from radio and music video outlets. Contemporary reviews and later retrospectives discuss Animalize in the context of Kiss's 1980s evolution—neither a full return to their 1970s peak nor a radical departure, but a document of the band's efforts to remain current.

Tracks, singles and legacy

Several tracks from Animalize have appeared in the band's compilations and live sets over the years. The record is frequently cited by fans and writers as representative of Kiss's heavier, more radio-friendly mid-1980s phase and remains part of their recorded catalog when discussing the group's non-makeup era.

• Album overview and credits
• About the band
• Hard rock context
• Heavy metal influences
• Band discography
• Kiss official resources
• Release date details
• Further reading and reviews