KISS have recorded a “special” new song written by frontman Paul Stanley.
The veteran rockers retired from the stage after a final concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2023, but guitarist Tommy Thayer has now revealed fans can expect new music from the band even though they will no longer be performing live.
He told Guitar World magazine: “We did record a great new song that Paul wrote. hat’s probably about as much as I can tell you right now.”
Tommy added: “KISS has always believed in making things an event. So whatever new music comes, it has to feel special and have a reason for existing.
“You don’t make another KISS record just because you’re supposed to make another KISS record.”
It comes just months after Gene Simmons suggested new music might be coming after he revealed the band had been recording in the studio together.
However, the bassist/vocalist has previously suggested any new songs they create may feature in their avatar-based KISS show, which is slated to launch in Las Vegas in 2028.
Gene told Pollstar magazine fans can expect new music at the shows, saying: “You’re gonna get all that stuff, and also new songs”.
When asked clarify his comments about the new music, Gene added: “Exactly what that means, written by us. We have songs done.”
Tommy previously explained the band decided to quit touring because they wanted to bow out while they were still able to deliver their physically-demanding show.
Tommy was quoted by The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column as saying: “We’ve just basically ended the touring. Gene, Paul Stanley, myself and Eric Singer have decided that because of the physicality of what KISS does, it’s a little bit different.
“It’s a heightened kind of a performance thing, and physically it’s even way beyond what the normal groups are doing.
“That’s why we’ve decided to kind of bow out when things are still really strong with the band and the band is still really hot.
“I applaud all the groups that are out there doing what they’re doing at an advanced age.”
KISS previously declared the avatars signal the start of a “new era” and Gene claimed millions of dollars are being pumped into the project. Speaking during a Q+A at the Electric Lady Studios in New York, he told one fan: “There’s so much being planned, even beyond my comprehension. But they’re spending, oh, about 200 million [dollars] to take it to the next level.”
He said of ABBA’s first-of-its-kind show: “You can’t tell if they’re there, right there, like that.”
In a video posted online after their final concert, Gene explained: “We can be forever young and forever iconic by taking us to places we’ve never dreamt of before.
“The technology is going to make [rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist] Paul [Stanley] jump higher than he’s ever done before … If you think you are going to get rid of us then that’s not going to happen.”