Two years after closing the curtain on their massive “End Of The Road” farewell tour, KISS have surprised fans by hinting that their creative spark is far from extinguished. The band reunited in Las Vegas this past weekend for the “KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas” event, held at Virgin Hotels, where they performed together and offered unexpected insight into new projects — including the possibility of brand-new KISS music.
Fans packed the venue on November 16 for an in-depth Q&A session featuring PAUL STANLEY, GENE SIMMONS, TOMMY THAYER, and ERIC SINGER. The panel was moderated by CHRIS JERICHO of FOZZY, who helped guide a lively conversation about the band’s future, their long-awaited avatar show, and the progress of their upcoming biopic. Yet the biggest surprise of the night came when Stanley addressed the lingering question on every fan’s mind: will KISS ever release new music again?
PAUL STANLEY Hints That New Music Is “Probable”
During the Q&A, a fan asked whether these upcoming projects might include fresh songs from the band. Although KISS had previously declared that touring was over, they never explicitly stated they were finished releasing music. Stanley’s response made the room erupt in excitement.
He explained:
“There may be some music in the works. We like to tell you what we’re doing, the things that are planned. The problem is that so much of what we may bring up never comes to fruition, [but] music, yeah, that looks pretty damn… more than possible. Probable. I’m not going to give you any hints, but I only write when there’s a project — and I’ve been writing.”
That final line — “I’ve been writing” — was enough to spark speculation that a new KISS release may be further along than fans realized.
Performing Without Makeup Proved the Band Still Has It
Before the Q&A, KISS performed two intimate sets: one acoustic and one electric. Both shows were done without makeup, costumes, smoke, pyrotechnics, or their trademark theatrics. For many fans, seeing the band stripped of their signature image underscored just how skilled they are as musicians.
Stanley reflected on the experience:
“It was special for us because we know — and there’s no false modesty — we’re really good as a band, and really solid. You can put smoke bombs on stage and you can put on makeup and boots and all that stuff, and at the end of the day, a crappy band is a crappy band. For us to get up and play just like this… it feels really good for us… We wanted to be as good as we are.”
His comments highlighted how confident the band feels musically — even without the large-scale production that helped define their identity.
Reunited After Two Years — But Still in Sync
Despite taking a break from performing together, the band quickly fell back into musical alignment. Stanley joked about how natural it felt to reunite:
“[It was] interesting for us after two years to get into a rehearsal room. It’s like riding a bike. We are who we are, and as soon as we plug in, that’s what we sound like.”
Fans at the event echoed that sentiment, noting that even without the theatrical elements, KISS sounded tight, confident, and energized.
Older Lyrics Spark Laughter — And Reflection
While revisiting their classic catalog, the band noticed how some of their lyrics from the 1970s land differently today. Stanley brought up “Take Me” from Rock And Roll Over, joking about how certain themes don’t quite fit modern sensibilities.
He said:
“It’s really funny because some of those songs are not really age-appropriate anymore. I couldn’t imagine writing a song today [saying], ‘Put your hand into my pocket / grab on to my rocket.’ A nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”
The comment earned laughs while also showing the band’s ability to look back at their legacy with humor and honesty.
ERIC SINGER Praises GENE SIMMONS’ Bass Playing
Another standout moment came when ERIC SINGER took a moment to spotlight GENE SIMMONS’ musicianship — a topic fans don’t always hear about amid Simmons’ larger-than-life persona.
Singer said:
“Gene is a great bass player. I’ve played with a lot of great musicians, and Gene is as solid as a rock. He doesn’t speed up; he doesn’t slow down… Gene’s very creative and melodic. Listen to ‘Goin’ Blind’ as a good example. Gene is so easy to play with, it’s, like, effortless.”
Stanley agreed wholeheartedly. He noted that Simmons’ personality often overshadows his skill:
“I have to say, I don’t think that Gene ever gets his due because Gene loves doing shtick. All that Gene does as far as his personality and the things he says, somehow gets in the way of certain people listening and going, ‘He’s a fantastic bass player.’”
This mutual respect reinforced how strong the band’s chemistry remains — onstage and off.
What This Reunion Really Means
While KISS ended their farewell tour, the idea of “everything being over” was never entirely accurate. The band made it clear that touring was behind them, not creativity itself. The Las Vegas reunion demonstrated:
- Their musicianship is still sharp
- Their chemistry is intact
- Their interest in new projects remains strong
- Their passion for fans is unwavering
And Stanley’s admission that he has been actively writing confirms what many fans hoped: the KISS story may not be finished.
Whether the new music arrives as a single, an EP, a soundtrack tie-in, or something else entirely, their renewed presence onstage and online suggests a new chapter could be closer than expected.
