KISS Records New Paul Stanley Song After 2023 Retirement

KISS, the iconic American hard‑rock band that wrapped up its touring career with a final Madison Square Garden show in December 2023, has confirmed that it has recorded a fresh track penned by frontman Paul Stanley.

In a September 7 interview with Guitar World, lead guitarist Tommy Thayer said, “We did record a great new song that Paul wrote. That’s probably about as much as I can tell you right now.” Thayer added that the band’s approach to new material remains event‑oriented, noting, “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.”

Gene Simmons offered a parallel glimpse in Pollstar earlier this week, confirming that the group had been working together in the studio and that new songs could surface in the band’s upcoming avatar‑based show slated for Las Vegas in 2028. Simmons told the magazine, “You’re gonna get all that stuff, and also new songs.” When pressed for clarification, he said, “Exactly what that means, written by us. We have songs done.”

Thayer explained the decision to retire from touring in a Sun newspaper column, stating, “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.” He added, “It’s a heightened kind of a performance thing, and physically it’s even way beyond what the normal groups are doing.”

The move to an avatar‑based format was announced in 2024, with Simmons describing it as the start of a “new era.” He claimed that the project would receive an investment of roughly $200 million to bring the virtual experience to the next level.

KISS’s discography has not included a full studio album of new material since Monster (2012). The confirmation that a new Paul Stanley composition has been recorded is therefore significant for fans and industry observers alike.

No release date, title, or musical direction for the track has been announced. Thayer’s comments suggest that the band will treat the song as a special event, consistent with its history of carefully curated releases.

The band’s retirement from touring does not preclude future studio work. Simmons’ statements indicate that the group will continue to create new music for its virtual shows, and the possibility of a 2028 Las Vegas launch suggests that the band is exploring alternative revenue streams beyond traditional touring.

Industry analysts note that KISS’s shift mirrors broader trends in the music business, where legacy acts are increasingly turning to digital and immersive experiences to maintain relevance and generate income. The $200 million investment in the avatar project is one of the largest announced for a virtual concert platform.

At present, the only confirmed fact is that a new Paul Stanley‑written song has been recorded. No further information about the track’s release, distribution, or inclusion on a future album has been provided.

KISS’s next public appearance will likely be tied to the 2028 Las Vegas avatar show, but the band’s management has not yet issued a schedule. Fans and industry stakeholders will need to wait for official announcements regarding the new song’s availability.

For now, the confirmation of new material marks a notable development in KISS’s post‑touring era, underscoring the band’s continued creative output and its willingness to explore innovative performance formats.