After "Love Gun", KISS embarked on their biggest tour with the biggest stage show up to that point. Recorded once again on multiple dates, "ALIVE II" featured exclusively songs from their last three albums as to not repeat tracks. To fill up a full four sides, however, the band hastily recorded a few new songs as well.
"ALIVE II" captures the classic lineup at their absolute peak in the live setting. From this bombastic version of "Detroit Rock City" to the more raw iterations of "Christine Sixteen" and "I Want You". The version of "God Of Thunder" here is the centerpiece of the album. It sounds so evil and the small drum interlude in the middle adds to it as well. The only real complaint I have is that a few of my favorite tracks off "Rock and Roll Over" are not on here and this album is clearly overdubbed again. However, the bigger sound here is warranted as KISS were playing to huge crowds at the time.
The biggest treat are the studio tracks especially ones like the heavy as hell "All American Man" which is one of the tracks that features the legendary Bob Kulick on lead guitar. He also plays solos on "Rockin in the USA" and "Larger Than Life" as well which both are great heavy rockers. Up next is "Rocket ride" which had to have clearly influenced early Pantera albums like "Metal Magic". The song is pure Ace and a real highlight. Finally we have a cover of "Anyway You Want It" ands its not bad. Its got great energy and follows the original quite faithfully.
Overall, this album gets a solid 9 out of 10. The band is at the height of their golden era and really captures some of their best songs here. The studio tracks are also a welcome addition as they really dont feel half baked. This would be as high as the band got as they began to splinter and by the end of their next album cycle they would be down a member.
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