"Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions", often referred to simply as Carnival of Souls, is the seventeenth studio album by American rock band Kiss, released in 1997. This album marks the final contribution of lead guitarist Bruce Kulick and the last collaboration with drummer Eric Singer until 2009's Sonic Boom. It represents a significant departure from the band's classic hard rock style, leaning instead toward a dark, grunge-oriented sound. Additionally, it is the last album from Kiss's unmasked era.
Recorded between late 1995 and early 1996, the album's release was initially canceled when Kiss decided to embark on a reunion tour with their original lineup. As bootleg copies circulated among fans, the band ultimately chose to officially release the material in 1997 under the title Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions. According to Kulick, the bootlegs lacked several songs that were included in the official release. Notably, there was no accompanying tour for the album, and none of the tracks have been performed live by Kiss, although the closing track "I Walk Alone" has occasionally been played live by Eric Singer and Kulick in the Eric Singer Project. "Jungle" and "I Walk Alone" were also performed by Kulick's former band, Union.
The album features contributions from two former members of Black 'N Blue, with vocalist Jaime St. James co-writing "In My Head" and guitarist Tommy Thayer collaborating on "Childhood's End." Thayer would later become Kiss's permanent lead guitarist in 2002. Notably, Bruce Kulick provides his first and only lead vocal for the band on "I Walk Alone." Carnival of Souls stands as the band's longest album, clocking in at 60 minutes and 11 seconds.
