New KISS Album Coming

Gene Simmons is one demon we can't seem to exorcise.

We were this close to declaring an ignore-him-for-the-foreseeable-future Simmons fatwah after the whole piss-on-him thing, but then the face-painted frontman and feeble TV father announced on Saturday on the KISS website that the band's newest album is "just a few steps from being completely done."

That's right. There's some actual musical KISS news to talk about.

The hell-raising hard rockers took a slightly different approach to recording this as-yet-untitled album — instead of collectively producing the record as they have with past releases, guitarist Paul Stanley was made sole producer.

"It all started with a point of view Paul had," the Simmons Records founder wrote. "The view had to do with ignoring the times, ignoring the critics, not over thinking [sic] who and what we are... and that we had nothing to prove to anyone... nothing. We have been releasing albums and touring for 35 years and why wouldn't we want to do an 'honest' record. Just do it!!! And, he wanted to produce the album himself!!!

"He was serious. And, I saw it was real," continued Simmons. "I saw the commitment he was going to make to the album and the band... and I agreed. We all trusted each other and saw the same vision of the band... and perhaps democracy is overrated... and sooner or later, someone had to decide."

The band have returned to their roots for this record.

"The entire writing and recording process of the album harkened back to an earlier, more innocent time," wrote Simmons. "A time that produced albums such as ROCK AND ROLL OVER and LOVE GUN. And, the new songs have that feeling, I have to say."

According to the self-assured bassist, the album is "Maybe the best record we've done in 30 years."

KISS released their platinum (double-platinum in Canada) album Dynasty 30 years ago.

You can see KISS (and maybe hear some new tunes) here:

July 10 Sarnia, ON @ Centennial Park (Sarnia Rogers Bayfest)
July 11 Windsor, ON @ Caesars Windsor
July 13 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
July 15 Ottawa, ON @ LeBreton Flats (Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest)
July 16 Quebec City, QC @ Festival D'Ete
July 18 Halifax, NS @ Halifax Commons Park
July 20-21 Orillia, ON @ Casino Rama
July 28 Paso Robles, CA @ California Mid-State Fair