Gene Simmons has confirmed that KISS is actively working on new music, revealing that the legendary rock act has already recorded a brand-new song penned by fellow co-founder Paul Stanley.
Speaking in an interview with KISS superfan Sienna Hernandez for KISSbySienna, Simmons offered an update on the band’s current activity in the studio, confirming that fresh material is officially on the way. He revealed (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “KISS is in the studio now. So we just recorded a new song, as a matter of fact, that Paul [Stanley, KISS guitarist/vocalist] wrote. I can’t tell you more about it. And that’ll be coming out at some point.”
The news comes as KISS continues developing its ambitious avatar-based live production, which is currently targeting a tentative Las Vegas launch in 2028.
In a recent interview published in the May 2026 issue of Pollstar magazine, Simmons and Stanley opened up about the long-awaited project, which will mark the first major U.S. venture for Pophouse Entertainment, the Sweden-based entertainment company co-founded by Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA fame. Pophouse is best known for its immersive ABBA Voyage production and its growing presence in music catalog acquisitions and entertainment experiences.
In March 2025, Pophouse reportedly closed its debut investment fund at more than $1.3 billion, with the company continuing to expand its portfolio of artist rights, intellectual property, and music assets. Its widely reported deal with KISS — said to be worth more than $300 million — included the band’s catalog, master recordings, publishing rights, name, image, likeness, and even the group’s iconic face-paint designs.
When asked by Pollstar writer Katherine Turman which version of KISS will be represented in the avatar show — the current lineup or the original band — Gene Simmons made it clear the experience will center on the group’s most recognizable personas.
Simmons said: “It’s going to be the iconic face personas, The Demon, the Starchild, and so on. Who you want to place into that lineup is up to you.”
Stanley added that fans can expect a mix of material spanning the band’s entire career, along with additional surprises: “We will have all the classics through the years and some surprises.”
Simmons further teased that the setlist will not be limited to legacy material, confirming that new music is also part of the plan.
Simmons added: “You’re gonna get all that stuff, and also new songs.”
Pressed for clarification on what “new” meant in this context, Simmons was direct about the band’s creative output. He said: “Exactly what that means, written by us. We have songs done.”
The avatar project is expected to be a significant evolution from the early concept footage shown at KISS’s final concert at Madison Square Garden on December 2, 2023. While those early visuals portrayed stylized, superhero-like versions of the band — reportedly eight feet tall, capable of breathing fire and shooting electricity — the final production is being developed with expanded technology and a more immersive design approach.
According to BBC News reporting on the preview, the avatars were not intended as realistic recreations but rather fantasy interpretations of the band’s stage personas.
Pophouse CEO Jessica Koravos told Pollstar that the concept has evolved significantly since then.
She said: “What the crowd got to see at MSG was an early prototype of the KISS avatar concept. A lot has evolved since then — both in terms of creative concept for the show and avatar technology. We are now deep in development with a top-flight creative team headed by Thierry Coup — the team was on set last week testing out pyro effects against a new generation of LED screens to make sure we max out the KISS signature flame throwing. The show concept is a crazy 4D roller coaster ride through the hits, the comic book worlds and personas of KISS.”
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