Here's KISS with the Mansfield crowd at the packed Comcast Center last night!

Photo by Dean Snowden for KISSonline.

Here are some photos of the KISS Army out in full force at this weekend's Darien Center show!

Photos by Eric Martin for KISSonline.

Here's KISS with the New York KISS Army in Darien Lake last night!




_{Photo by Dean Snowden for KISSOnline}

New 'Monster' CD is lean and 'ferocious' rock, says singer Paul Stanley

By Alan Sculley, Special to The Morning Call

Kiss has never worried about being upstaged by an opening act.

"We've always believed in letting the best bands available go out there and do what they do because it only fires us up that much more," singer/guitarist Paul Stanley says in a phone interview. "Our track record is pretty stellar, whether it's, my gosh, Bob Seger, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, early [Motley] Crue, John Cougar Mellencamp, AC/DC. The list just goes on and on."

On one of this summer's biggest tours, Kiss will close out an evening that also includes a 90-minute set from co-headliner Motley Crue, a band whose shows are famous for visual spectacle and non-stop partying.

Stanley knows his band will deliver as well, if for no other reason than the enthusiasm he sees in the band 40 years into its career.

"Kiss today is Kiss as I've always wanted it — four guys who get along great, who play fiercely and are proud of who we are, proud of our fans and celebrate what we do from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed," Stanley says.

Here's the Toronto KISS Army celebrating KISS at last night's show at the Molson Amphitheater!!



_{Photos by Keith Leroux for KISSOnline.}

By Chris Alexander
Photo by Ash Newell

For almost four decades, the iconic circus collectively known as KISS has been thrilling the masses, with their trend-defining, still wildly absurd amalgam of muscular, no-nonsense rock music and dark fantasy theatrics. Now, after an up-and-down history that saw their legacy rise, fall and rise once more, KISS are not only deeply ingrained in the collective popculture fabric, but they are at the top of their creative game.

Their latest album -- the 20th studio album, in fact -- is called, appropriately, "Monster," and while not due in stores until mid-October, the band hit the road this summer, demolishing stages across the U.S. and Canada with fellow hard-rockers Motley Crue. "The Tour," as it's boldly calling itself, condenses both bands' performances into two 90-minute sets, but, as KISS co-founder and media gadfly Gene Simmons insists, KISS won't be skimping on any of their patented blood, bombs and pyro.

"KISS has a philosophy few other bands have," says Simmons, who is 62 and still swinging from wires and vomiting gore.

"And that's to give the fans bang for their bucks. Not just our show, but making sure anyone on the bill with us is worthy of being on hallowed ground, the Electric Church, the KISS stage. For us, the power and the bombast and, yes, the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint is what it's all about."

What KISS are also all about is the way the band has transcended the fate of many of their classic-rock ilk who are content to tour the hits and pander to the generation that first found them. Instead, a typical KISS audience contains a cross section of fans of every age, with KISS Army lifers sharing space with kids, their faces painted to honor their larger-than-life heroes.

"The KISS Army is a living, breathing thing," says Simmons, who has never been known for a lack of confidence.

On August 25th (Gene's birthday) me and my girlfriend of 14 years got married. Since I'm a big KISS fan, we put a KISS touch to the wedding, the invitation cards had the guy in the obvious KISS shirt and the wedding cake, well is KISS all the way.

I never thought I would get married, but it's feels great and it was a great day.

Louis Lapointe

LETTERS

Very few cabins & suites remain on the 2012 KISS Kruise! The second KISS Kruise is setting sail October 31 – November 4, 2012 from Miami, FL to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas onboard the Norwegian Pearl. No other Hallows’ Eve celebrations can compare!

Visit www.thekisskruise.com to book your cabin today! Don't miss your chance to rock at sea with KISS!

Here are a few photos of KISS rocking the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto last night!

Photos by Terry Wilson for KISSOnline

KISS' Gene Simmons opens his mouth (but keeps his tongue in)

By A.D. Amorosi / For The Inquirer

The first thing to do when speaking to Kiss' Gene Simmons is to get to the truth of the matter. After nearly 40 years of being in the dressy demonic ensemble, the bassist, entrepreneur, and reality television star wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Ask him what he thinks of partner Paul Stanley's 2009 statement to this writer that "democracy is overrated" in relation to the Starchild's production of that year's Sonic Boom, and Simmons chuckles. "Yes," he says. "Everybody can't have equal say. The good thing about Paul is that he was able to commit the time and the mental fatigue that it takes to stay in the studio for three months. I didn't have that. I'm way past that."

Finally!! "You Want It You Got It" "The Hottest Band in the World" "KISS"

KISS Collectors, Rock Fans get ready to rock again. Figures Toy Company is about to introduce KISS Series 2 action figures, reminiscent of the action figures first released in 1977-1978 by the Mego Toy Company. These figures will have rooted hair, cloth clothing, 16 points of articulation and are based on the very first KISS album from 1974 title “KISS”.

CFO Anthony Balasco states, "I never understood why 8 inch KISS action figures were not produced back in the 1970's when The Mego Toy Company had already released the 12 inch versions. Our second release will have the retro look from the 1970's but updated with more detailed costumes. Future releases will cover all time periods in KISS's 40 year musical career from 1972 to 2012". Look for a Demon “Hotter Than Hell” and Starchild with “Bandit Makeup” exclusives and limited edition releases. Collectors will be able to find KISS Series 2 at toy stores, comic shops, music stores and on-line retailers starting in Late October 2012.

Please visit www.figurestoycompany.com for more details.

READY FOR YOUR FIRST TASTE OF "MONSTER?"

30-second clips from all songs from KISS' upcoming album "MONSTER" are now available to sample at iTunes! You will need to log in to iTunes to listen to the clips.

Sample them now and pre-order "MONSTER" today!

Click here to pre-order KISS "MONSTER" now at iTunes.

Here's KISS in front of the sold-out Toronto crowd at Molson Amphitheater!

Photo by Dean Snowden for KISSonline.

John R. Kennedy, Global News

A Toronto area teen took home more than memories from Thursday’s KISS concert at the Molson Amphitheatre, Justin Benlolo also got a guitar signed by all four members of the iconic rock band.

“I’m never going to play it,” says Benlolo. “I’m going to put it in a glass case and let it sit in my room.”

Benlolo, a 15-year-old Vaughan high school student who performs as Tyler Rhodes, won the guitar thanks to his father Elliot’s successful $10,000 bid at a charity auction Wednesday night.

KISS donated the guitar to “Sylebration”, an event honouring the memory of Benlolo’s uncle Simon “Sy” Benlolo, who died of a complications due to pharmaceutical drugs while in Mexico last April. He was 40.

The event raised $54,000 for the Music Therapy Program at the Hospital for Sick Children.

“My uncle got me into KISS when I was seven or eight,” recalls Justin. “The first time I heard KISS, I was in his car and he put on the album Destroyer. When I heard the first song I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to do this.’ I asked my mom if I can play guitar and I started to sing.

“Ever since then I’ve been the biggest KISS fan ever.”

Photo Credit: Dean Snowden, KISS

Here's the Ohio KISS Army celebrating KISS at Wednesday night's show at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls!

Thanks to Eric R. Martin for taking these photos for KISSOnline!