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Although he has since transformed into a reality television personality, Gene Simmons still has time for KISS. The band that made the tongue-wagging bass player famous is gearing up for their next release, an album titled Monster slated for July 2012. A follow-up to 2009’s Sonic Boom, Monster is produced by frontman Paul Stanley and is considered, by the group, one of their best releases so far. Simmons said: “[It’s] either the best or one of the top three records we’ve ever done. It’s like ‘Revenge’ meets ‘Destroyer’ – just guitar and drums, nothing else. No keyboards, no little boys’ choir, no strings, no nothing. Band-written; literally we’d get in and strum guitars like the old days.”

Their 20ths studio album is more than a back-to-basics approach. Instead, it’s an effort created by the high KISS found during sessions for Sonic Boom. In discussing their quick follow-up to the 2009 album, Stanley said: “I wasn’t interested in making an album unless I was in charge and no one agreed to it half-heartedly. The band’s all there, all the time, and we cut the tracks all facing each other in the same room. Chemistry and camaraderie, that’s essential. That’s what made ‘Sonic Boom’ so great, and this album is thunderously better.”

What do you think Monster could sound like? If you’re a KISS fan, do you think it may become the best album in the band’s catalog?

Along with music, Monster is accompanied by an art book, one too big to be a coffee table accessory, according to Simmons. The book contains drawings, paintings, and photographs created by various artists inspired by KISS. To support the release, the band is co-headlining a summer tour with Motley Crue.