"Animalize" is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band Kiss, released on September 17, 1984, by Mercury Records. This album features the only appearance of lead guitarist Mark St. John, who joined the band in April 1984, replacing Vinnie Vincent.
At this point in Kiss's career, the band had experienced significant turmoil. They had lost two of the original members and faced two unsuccessful albums that alienated their fanbase—Unmasked (1980) and Music from "The Elder" (1981). Their attempt at a comeback with Creatures of the Night (1982) had not managed to capture the public's attention, despite its return to a harder rock sound.
The sessions for Animalize marked a turning point as the band began to regain momentum. Following the success of Lick It Up (1983), which achieved Platinum status and included a successful tour, Kiss was at a crossroads. The departure of lead guitarist Vinnie Vincent and the hiring of Mark St. John, an unknown guitarist, brought new dynamics to the band.
During the recording of Animalize, Gene Simmons was focused on his acting career and was largely absent from the band. This led to tension within Kiss, with Paul Stanley taking on the primary responsibilities for songwriting, production, and the overall direction of the album. Stanley later remarked on feeling abandoned by Simmons, who had not fully committed to the album and instead quickly recorded some demos before leaving to work on other projects. Simmons' preoccupation with outside ventures, including producing and managing other rock bands and co-starring in the 1984 film Runaway, contributed to the strained relationships within the band.
