12 Hits from Hell

Infobox Album |
Name = 12 Hits From Hell
Type = Album
Artist = The Misfits


Released = 2001
Recorded = August 1980
Genre = Horror punk
Hardcore punk
Deathrock
Length = 25:02
Label = Caroline/Virgin/EMI Records
Producer = Tom Bejgrowicz
Reviews = *Allmusic rating|3|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3cfpxqy0ldde link]
Last album = "Cuts from the Crypt"
(1999)
This album = "12 Hits from Hell"
(2001)
Next album = "Project 1950"
(2003)

"12 Hits From Hell" is the "missing" Misfits album. [ [http://www.angelfire.com/darkside/misfits12hits/ AngelFire] ]

On August 7, 1980, the Misfits recorded 12 songs at Master Sound Productions studios with the intention of releasing a full-length album, as lead singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig's handwritten notes show. These recordings were later dubbed "The MSP Sessions".

The Misfits signed a record deal with Ruby Records after the recording, and used the 1980 sessions as a demo for their release "Walk Among Us". The full-length album expected from these sessions was never released.

Although the Misfits never recorded as a five piece band, the purpose of this new release is to showcase both Bobby Steele's and Doyle's contributions equally. Bobby Steele, The Misfits' guitarist since 1978, recorded both rhythm and lead tracks for most of the songs, but was kicked out of the band mid-way through production. His parts were subsequently de-emphasized in the mix (although he is credited on "3 Hits From Hell" as extra guitarist). Bassist Jerry Only's younger brother Doyle was inducted into the band and finished the recording session by adding and/or overdubbing guitar tracks. The songs only ended up in the hands of the general public through a 7" vinyl ("3 Hits from Hell") and bootlegs. The tracks also appeared on the Misfits' "Box Set".

In 2001, Caroline Records announced it would be releasing the lost 1980 sessions on Halloween under the name "12 Hits From Hell." There would also be an alternate take of "London Dungeon" included.

Danzig and Only abruptly called off production: Danzig, because there were errors to be corrected in the liner notes; Only, because the mixing and remastering was substandard. Danzig also claims he was displeased with the album's layout and packaging, and was angered for not having received any word of this project until Caroline Records had mailed him a promotional CD.

Bobby Steele, who was kicked out of the band during recording, feels Jerry Only has a hidden agenda behind wanting to remix it: the Misfits always told the public Steele was kicked out because he was a shoddy guitarist, while Steele has always felt he was forced out of the band because Only wanted his brother, Doyle, to be guitarist. Steele thinks the CD should be released as-is, so it will be proven once and for all that he is not a bad guitarist. Steele is convinced that, if Only has his way and the album is remixed, he will remove all of Steele's guitar tracks from the final product to prevent being exposed as a liar.

Caroline Records' official explanation is that the mastering is inferior, and that the Misfits feel they should not be portrayed as a five-piece band (which is odd, considering bands routinely double- and triple-track their guitars, and the liner notes make it quite clear that Doyle and Bobby were not in the band at the same time. Besides, no one has a problem with Robbie Alter's contributions to two songs, and he wasn't even a member).

Although the album has been leaked and is readily available on file-sharing programs through the internet, promotional copies of the album regularly command high prices at auction.

Bobby Steele and The Undead released their own recording of the entire album on Hallowe'en 2007 on their official website.

Track listing

#"Halloween"
#*original version released on "Halloween", "Legacy of Brutality", and "Collection II" and "Box Set"
#"Vampira"
#*originally released on "Walk Among Us"
#"I Turned into a Martian"
#*released on "Walk Among Us" and "Box Set"
#"Skulls"
#*released on "Walk Among Us"
#"London Dungeon"
#*released on "3 Hits from Hell", "Collection" and "Box Set"
#"Night of the Living Dead"
#*originally released on "Night of the Living Dead"
#"Horror Hotel"
#*originally released on "3 Hits from Hell", later released on "Box Set"
#"Ghouls Night Out"
#*originally released on "3 Hits from Hell", later released on "Collection I"
#"Astro Zombies"
#*released on "Walk Among Us"
#"Where Eagles Dare"
#*originally released on "Night of the Living Dead"
#"Violent World"
#*released on "Walk Among Us"
#"Halloween II"
#*original version released on "Halloween", "Legacy of Brutality", and "Collection II" and "Box Set"
#"London Dungeon (Alternate Take)"
#*Alternate take released on "3 Hits from Hell", "Collection" and "Box Set"

Credits

*Glenn Danzig - Vocals, guitar on "Halloween II"
*Jerry Only - Bass
*Bobby Steele - Guitar (original tracks)
*Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein - Guitar (overdubs and additional tracks)
*Robbie Alter - Guitar on "London Dungeon" and "Violent World"
*Arthur Googy - drums

References