"Monster" is the twentieth and final studio album by American rock band Kiss, released on October 9, 2012. Recorded at Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood and The Nook in Studio City, Los Angeles, it features the lineup of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer. Produced by Stanley and Greg Collins, the album aimed to create a heavier sound compared to their previous work, Sonic Boom.
The recording process began in 2011, with the band initially planning for ten songs, later expanding to thirteen. The first single, "Hell or Hallelujah," was released on July 2, 2012, and achieved moderate success on rock radio. The second single, "Long Way Down," followed in October but did not chart as highly.
Kiss opted for analog recording techniques to achieve a rich sound, with Simmons emphasizing the warmth of analog equipment over digital methods. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, making it the band's third consecutive album to reach the top three in the US, and achieved strong international sales, moving approximately 60,000 copies in its first week domestically and 120,000 copies internationally.
Overall, Monster represents Kiss's legacy, combining elements from their past while embracing a forward-looking approach to their music.
