12 Hits from Hell

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The Misfits chronology
12 Hits From Hell

Studio album by The Misfits
Released	NA
Recorded	August, 1980
Genre	Punk
Length	25:02
Label	Caroline Records
Producer(s)	Tom Bejgrowicz
Static Age (1997)	12 Hits From Hell (2001)	American Psycho (1997)

12 Hits From Hell is the "missing" Misfits album.

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).

Because of all these conflicting opinions and allegations, it is doubtful 12 Hits From Hell will ever see the light of day. However, thanks to filesharing programs such as Kazaa and LimeWire, promotional copies of the album have been leaked all over the Internet.