CHAPTER 42 – The “DCC
Remasters” (1992/3)
“DCC
Remasters” Notes:
The DCC remasters were once
considered to be the first attempt by PolyGram to remaster
the KISS catalog and allegedly only circulated in-house at the record label.
What was actually intended from the work is not clear since the track selection
is rather disjointed and convoluted. The work has, however, made it into collector’s
circles – from whence they really originated. These so-called “remasters” were not commissioned by PolyGram, but are a fan
creation. Regardless, they are included here due to their notoriety. Only major
differences are noted.
42.01. Hard Times
42.02. Danger
The six second difference from the original version
of the song is a result of compression being removed.
42.03. 100,000 Years
42.04. Shout It Out Loud
42.05. Forever (Remix)
For the DCC remaster of the
track the song is stretched by 7 seconds removing compression from the original
version. The keyboards are very much more evident in this version which is
based on the 1989 “Forever” remix which had already improved the balance on the
production of the song. Refer to the “Hot In The Shade” section for details on
the original “Forever” remix.
42.06. Is That You?
Another of the odd tracks which turns up on the DCC
Remasters, especially since it was a cover song from what was essentially an
unsuccessful album in the United States. More so than the 1997 remaster the DCC version illustrates what could have been
for “Unmasked,” and while remastering cannot correct
the inherent problems of the sonic dilution of the original production, it does
alter the overall qualities of the recording. The removal of some of the
compression on the original version lengthens the song by 7 seconds to
42.07. God Of Thunder
42.08. She
42.09. Cold Gin
42.10. The Oath
Right from the start the DCC version of “The Oath”
seems to lack the compression of the original version. Immediately noticeable
is the difference in track length with the DCC version being some 8 seconds
longer than the original version. Compression of the original version easily
explains the difference in duration, though the bass, cymbals, and guitars are
more crisp than even on the 1997 remaster version.
42.11. Down On Your Knees
42.12. Let Me Go, Rock ‘N Roll
The DCC version is just three seconds longer than the
album version, though the remastering boosts the
guitars and drums, and general clarity, to a tremendous extent.
42.13. Rise To It
The DCC version of this song removes the 20 second
acoustic introduction from the song. Compression removal results in the song
being more than 10 seconds longer in duration than the original version. The
most noticeable difference on this song are the drums which nearly reach
“Creatures” levels in volume. The remaster
excellently demonstrates how beneficial a full remaster
of the “Hot In The Shade” album could have been in 1997.
42.14. Easy As It Seems
The remastering has a
similar result to that on most of the other tracks with the overall sound being
crisper. While this version of the song is more than 7 seconds longer than the
album version the removal of the compression gives the song something of a
harder edge. Some sources indicate that this track is different mix, though it
and the album version match exactly when the DCC version is recompressed.
42.15. War Machine
At some 8 seconds longer than the original
“Creatures” version of the song, the differences are mostly a matter of the
tempo of the song being slowed slightly.
42.16. Hooligan
Apart from being 7 seconds longer than the album
version, differences are negligible on this version except in terms of sonic
clarity.
42.17. A World Without Heroes
Compression again plays a part with the DCC version
being some 3 seconds longer than the original version. The most obvious
difference between the versions is a crisper sound on Eric’s snare drum and the
guitars, though Gene’s voice seems more prominent also. During Paul’s guitar
solo the mix between the orchestration, drums, and guitar gives prominence to
the guitar resulting in a better balance.
42.18. I Love It Loud
The removal of compression makes this “Remaster” 7 seconds longer than the original version.
42.19. Deuce
42.20. Shocker
It is interesting that “Shocker” would be remastered in-house by PolyGram on a KISS compilation since
the song was released on a soundtrack through SBK Records whose affiliations
were with Capitol-EMI. Written by Desmond Child, Jean Beauvoir,
and Guy Mann-Dude, the song would be performed by an all-star cast. Paul
Stanley and Desmond would share the lead vocals while other musicians on the
track included Vivian Campbell, Rudy Sarzo, Tommy
Lee, Kane Roberts, and Michael Anthony. Apart from being blatantly louder
(noticeably the drums and guitars), the DCC version is nearly 10 seconds longer
than the original album version. The major benefit of the remaster
is that the DCC version is far clearer than the original recording.
42.21. Hide Your Heart
The remastering boosts the
volumes on the drums tremendously on this track while it is nearly 10 seconds
longer in duration than the original version. Like the original version of
“Forever” the track is very heavy with Eric’s cymbals.
42.22. Unholy
Some notes indicate this version of the song to be a
“Q-Sound Mix.” Apart from clearer vocals the song has a general volume boost
akin to increasing the treble. The duration of the song is 8 seconds longer
than the original version.
42.23. Partners In Crime
At
42.24. Shock Me
At nearly 5 seconds longer than the original album
version of the song this remaster not only slows the
piece down somewhat (most noticeable by the end of the second verse and with
Ace’s vocals), but also improves the clarity of the drums and guitars.