Black Diamond (Kiss song)
| "Black Diamond" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Kiss from the album Kiss | |
| Released | February 18, 1974 |
| Recorded | November 1973 |
| Genre | Hard rock, heavy metal |
| Length | 5:12 |
| Label | Casablanca Records |
| Writer | Paul Stanley |
| Producer | Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise |
| Kiss track listing | |
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"Black Diamond" is a Kiss song written by the band's rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley.
The song appears as the closing track on the band's eponymous first album, Kiss, released in 1974. It begins with an acoustic opening sung by Stanley before entering in furious riff with Peter Criss in lead vocals and fading out with Ace Frehley's solo, in a sort of studio trick. The song is also characterized by its noticeable use of chorus, and its ending. The taped studio version was slowed down almost to a standstill. The live version is usually sped up in tempo, combined with stage pyrotechnics and a rising drum platform.
The band would often play "Black Diamond" to close their concerts. Even after Criss left the band the song was still performed in concerts, featuring his replacements Eric Carr and Eric Singer on lead vocals during their respective tenures with the band.
Appearances
"Black Diamond" has appeared on following Kiss albums:
- Kiss - studio version
- Alive! - live version
- The Originals - studio version
- Double Platinum - studio version
- The Box Set - studio version
- Kiss Symphony: Alive IV - live version
- Gold - studio version
- Kiss Alive! 1975–2000 - Alive! version
Cover versions
- The Replacements did a cover version of the song on their 1984 album Let It Be.
- Yoshiki Hayashi from the Japanese metal band X Japan created an arrangement of "Black Diamond" for a 72 piece orchestra on 1994's Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved tribute album.
- Black Diamond Brigade, a group formed by Norwegians from different profiled rock bands also featuring Billy Gould of Faith No More, did a cover version of the song in 2003. This song is much shorter than the live versions. The band was formed for this cover only.
- Pearl Jam did a cover version of the song during their fan club member only show at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on August 2, 2007. Drummer Matt Cameron provided lead vocals.[1] They also covered it on June 25, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY with Cameron and guitarist Mike McCready on vocals and a special appearance by Ace Frehley on guitar.
- Bathory did a cover version, released on the tribute album A Tribute to the Creatures of the Night and re-released on the compilation In Memory of Quorthon
- Taking Dawn did a cover of it for their debut album, Time to Burn.
- Smashing Pumpkins included a cover of the song in some of their 2012 live shows with drummer Mike Byrne taking on lead vocal duties.
Personnel
- Peter Criss - lead vocals/drums
- Ace Frehley - lead guitar
- Paul Stanley - rhythm guitar/backing vocals/lead vocals (intro)
- Gene Simmons - bass guitar/backing vocals
References
- ^ Pearl Jam, retrieved (Feb. 16, 2008). Pearl Jam Set List, 8-2-2007 "Pearljam.com".
