Music from "The Elder"
Updated: 12/10/2025, 4:59:13 PM Wikipedia source
Music from "The Elder" is the ninth studio album by American rock band Kiss, released on November 10, 1981 by Casablanca Records. The album marked a substantial departure from their previous output with the concept and orchestral elements. It was their first album with drummer Eric Carr, who adopted the persona of "The Fox", and the last with lead guitarist Ace Frehley until their 1996 reunion. Due to poor sales, Kiss did not embark on a supporting tour for the first time in its eight-year history, opting instead to make a handful of promotional appearances. Outside of lead single "A World Without Heroes", later performed on the band's 1995 MTV Unplugged appearance, Kiss has avoided live performances of songs from the album following initial promotional appearances in 1981. On January 15, 1982, they performed "A World Without Heroes", "The Oath" and "I" on the TV show Fridays. Critical reception was relatively kind on release, but the album proved to be a commercial failure and was, for a long time, unpopular with the involved parties, label, musicians and critics alike, even considering it to be one of the worst albums ever made. In recent years, the album has garnered some positive reappraisal, with some critics admitting the record has issues, but is still a concept album worthy of note.
Infobox
Released
November 10, 1981 (1981-11-10)
Recorded
March–September 1981
Studio
Ace in the Hole Studios, Wilton, CTA & R and Record Plant Studios, New York CitySound Interchange, Toronto, CanadaEzrin Farm, King City, Canada
Genre
Progressive rock hard rock
Length
42:46
Label
Casablanca
Producer
Bob Ezrin
Tables
Professional ratings · Critical reception
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Review scores
AllMusic
Review scores
Classic Rock
Classic Rock
Review scores
Classic Rock
Review scores
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Review scores
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
Review scores
5/10
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Review scores
Pitchfork
Pitchfork
Review scores
Pitchfork
Review scores
0.0/10
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Review scores
Rolling Stone
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
The Rolling Stone Album Guide
Review scores
Uncut
Uncut
Review scores
Uncut
Review scores
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Classic Rock | |
| Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 5/10 |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| Pitchfork | 0.0/10 |
| Rolling Stone | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Uncut | |
· Charts
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1981)
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
Peakposition
11
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (1981)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Peakposition
12
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (1981)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peakposition
39
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (1981)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
10
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Chart (1981)
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)
Peakposition
23
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Chart (1981)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Peakposition
21
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (1981)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peakposition
7
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (1981)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peakposition
19
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (1981)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
51
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (1981)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
75
| Chart (1981) | Peakposition |
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) | 11 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) | 12 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 39 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 10 |
| Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi) | 23 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 21 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) | 7 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 19 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 51 |
| US Billboard 200 | 75 |
· Charts
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2022)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
16
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2022)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
75
| Chart (2022) | Peakposition |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 16 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 75 |
· Certifications
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Region
Australia (ARIA)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
20,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)
Norway (IFPI Norway)
Region
Norway (IFPI Norway)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
50,000
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Region
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 20,000^ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway) | Gold | 50,000 |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
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- Uncut
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