KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer has confirmed that the band is recording new material, addressing long-standing rumors about activity behind the scenes since the group’s farewell.
Thayer revealed that KISS has already tracked a new song. He remained tight-lipped on further details, emphasizing that the band’s approach to new music is guided by its philosophy of only releasing material that feels meaningful.
“We did record a great new song that Paul wrote,” Thayer said. “That’s probably about as much as I can tell you right now.”
He went on to explain the band’s mindset behind creating new music, even after stepping away from touring.
“But KISS has always believed in making things an event,” Thayer continued. “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.”
Thayer also addressed the band’s activity since retiring from the road, making clear that KISS remains far from inactive.
“KISS may have stopped touring, but that doesn’t mean things have stopped happening,” he said. “There’s still a lot going on and a lot of new things developing.”
Thayer’s confirmation lines up with earlier comments from his bandmates, painting a fuller picture of what KISS has been up to since closing out its touring career.
Gene Simmons was the first to reveal that the band had returned to the studio. He disclosed that the same Paul Stanley-penned track Thayer referenced had already been recorded. Simmons indicated the song would surface publicly at some point, though he offered no timeline for its release.
The band’s studio return follows more than two years of speculation that began almost immediately after the final show of the End of the Road World Tour at Madison Square Garden in December 2023. Paul Stanley himself fueled those rumors months earlier. He told Chris Jericho during the KISS Kruise that the band was working on new music that could eventually see release.
Even before any studio confirmation, Thayer had hinted that the band wasn’t done creating. Late last year, he said there are many projects in development for KISS as the band moves forward, adding that while touring was off the table, there is still a lot taking place behind the scenes.
Taken together, the statements from Simmons, Stanley, and Thayer suggest KISS is treating its post-touring era as a new chapter rather than an ending. New music, fan events, and other ventures continue to develop even without live shows on the horizon.
“KISS is in the studio now. So, we just recorded a new song, as a matter of fact, that Paul wrote,” Simmons said. “I can’t tell you more about it. And that’ll be coming out at some point.”
