Out of all the early classic KISS albums, ‘Hotter Than Hell’ never sat well with me due to the muddy and poor production sound. Looking back over it now, one realizes just how great an album it is as it features some of KISS’ finest material.
The album was released in October of 1974 and featured a garish and colorful Japanese influenced cover art.
The photographer for that infamous photo-session was Norman Seef.
Photographer Norman Seeff designed KISS’ second album cover (Hotter Than Hell) with startling visuals to complement the bands’ powerful sound. Seeff, with art director John Van Hamersveld, took his cue from the band’s kabuki-style makeup and incorporated hints of Japanese culture into the cover. The result: a striking hybrid foursome that jumps off the printed surface and magnifies KISS’ unique look.
Now 30 years later, Norman Seeff is selling some absolutely mind-blowing photos from the Hotter Than Hell photo sessions. The vast majority of these photos have never been seen before. Visitors to Norman’s website can purchase a wide selection of photos from the many, many bands that Norman has shot throughout the years.
Ace Frehley with only half his face made up due to a car accident.
The Final Cover… KISS Hotter Than Hell
very nice,man!!
EXCELLENT PHOTOS ! Always loved that cover, and these rare photos are so fuckin cool man.Kiss was the coolest in the 70’s .Thanks so much.Hope there’s more coming.
KISS Rocks & Norman Rocks, rock on
KISS LIVES
This set could easily be named “KISS before Corruption”. Such an innocent time for 4 guys, best friends, just starting out, Not knowing that one day it would all just be a giant money making corporation. At least we have these old reminders of what KISS once was and still is in my heart. Not the bloated facade of a once great American rock band. When they stooped as low as to put Ace and Peter’s makeup on other people, I was DONE. (Actually the cracks formed before that but that’s another story)
excellent photos, thank you for sharing them
I for one, would buy an entire book of this stuff
Kiss is the coolest band in the world and this is one of theeir cooest tours they done.
Awesome photos from a real interestin photo session…Ace’s half make-up face photos are really good to see.
Hah, it’s said that Ace only had half make-up when the photoshoot for the Hotter than Hell cover took place, and that the rest of the make-up was airbrushed in. These photos proves that claim wrong!
The photos of Ace with only half make-up was taken before or after that, and you can see that the background is different in those shots.
Maybe Norman can clear this up, once and for all?
Who’s first changing the incorrect information on the Wikipedia page about Hotter than Hell?
Hey JR. – Thanks for posting the ‘When KISS was cool’ topic again. They were sooooo EPIC!! Looks like you added some of the thumbs I sent you too. Awesome!! Norman Seeff needs to put out a descent photo book from these sessions some day. Hopefully, you will continue to post more on this topic… Any more gems you have waiting for us?
The early Sparks from the Hottest band in the World !!
AWESOME!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing
i DIED.- THE ONLY THING i CAN SAY.- i DIED FOR PAUL.—————————————
the HTH photoshoot.. haha. it was pretty.. unique xD
Awesome as usual!!!!! You should definitely do a photo book!
For a few moments as I looked at the photos…felt like a kid again. Love the photos. More, more !!
No words can describe what KISS were in those days… These photos are a treasury to look at, over and over and over…