"The Fame Monster" is a reissue of American singer Lady Gaga's debut studio album, The Fame (2008), and was released on November 17, 2009, through Interscope Records. Initially conceived as a deluxe edition of The Fame, the release was later split into two parts, with the eight new songs being released as a standalone EP in some territories. This decision came about because Gaga felt the re-release was too expensive and that the albums were conceptually distinct, describing them as "yin and yang." The deluxe edition is a double album, with the first disc featuring the new songs and the second disc containing The Fame. A super deluxe edition, released on December 15, 2009, included additional merchandise, such as a lock of Gaga's wig.
Musically, The Fame Monster is an electropop album that draws influence from disco, glam rock, and synth-pop music of the 1970s and 1980s, along with elements of industrial and gothic styles. Gaga explained that the album explores the darker side of fame, using the metaphor of a monster to express this theme. The album’s two covers, shot by Hedi Slimane, reflect this theme, with one cover having a Gothic aesthetic that was initially rejected by her record company, but Gaga persuaded them to use it.
The album received generally positive reviews from critics. It charted in the same way as The Fame in many countries, topping the charts in Australia, Belgium, Finland, New Zealand, and Poland. In the United States, the EP peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and topped the Dance/Electronic Albums chart. It has since been certified five times Platinum by the RIAA. The Fame Monster earned multiple accolades, including six Grammy Award nominations at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. Gaga won three awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album, and received her second consecutive Album of the Year nomination.
The album's lead single, "Bad Romance," was a major commercial success, topping the charts in more than twenty countries and reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The following singles, "Telephone" and "Alejandro," also found success, reaching the top ten in numerous countries worldwide. "Dance in the Dark" was released as a single in select territories, achieving moderate chart success. To promote The Fame Monster, Gaga embarked on The Monster Ball Tour (2009–2011), which became the highest-grossing tour by a debut headlining artist.
