Original Kiss drummer Peter Criss recently shared insights into his highly anticipated new solo rock album, set for release this fall. Speaking with The Rock Experience With Mike Brunn, Criss expressed enthusiasm for the project, which marks his first solo effort since 2007’s One For All.
The as-yet-untitled album was co-produced by Criss alongside Barry Pointer, whose credits include work with notable artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, John 5, Mötley Crüe, and Dolly Parton. The record boasts an impressive roster of guest musicians, a point Criss highlighted in the interview.
“Yeah, I’m excited,” Peter stated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I got great players on it. I got Billy Sheehan, Paul Shaffer, Johnny 5, Michael, my guitarist, [and] I got Piggy from Rob Zombie. So it’s like a dream team band.”
The lineup includes Billy Sheehan and Matthew Montgomery (also known as Piggy D. of Rob Zombie) on bass, John 5 and Mike McLaughlin on guitar, and Paul Shaffer on piano. Backing vocal duties were handled by Dennis Collins, Sharon Collins, and Cat Manning of the band CAT 5.
Criss emphasized the personal nature of the project, saying: “And it’s a real Peter Criss album. It’s an album I always wanted to do. And hopefully the fans will like it.”
He echoed his positive experience making the album in previous comments to Rolling Stone: “I had an absolute blast doing this album, and everyone was so much fun to work with — they were just amazing,” Criss told the publication, promising a more detailed interview closer to the fall release date.
The upcoming LP has been in the works for some time. Criss first mentioned progress on a new album back in 2014 during a fan Q&A session, indicating he was aiming for a different direction. “I’ve been sitting on a record … I’d done this thing, like, five years ago and I’m still messing with it. I’m not done, because I don’t wanna rush it,” he revealed at the time.
He also spoke then about his desire for a heavier sound compared to his past solo work, while acknowledging the difficulty of meeting fan expectations. “I wanna take my time with it,” he said in 2014. “I want it to be heavier than I’ve usually done my stuff… Because fans are never happy. You guys aren’t! No matter what we ever do, you’re like, ‘Oh, that s*cks. I want this.’ Or ‘He’s playing that ballad sh*t again.'”
The 79-year-old musician, known as “Catman” during his tenure with Kiss where he famously sang lead on hits like “Beth” and “Hard Luck Woman,” was recently honored. On Friday, April 25, 2025, Criss received the Legacy Award at a Raven Drum Foundation event in New York City recognizing his humanitarian work.
Ogorthul: Immersed in the bone-shattering world of death metal and beyond. I’m here to excavate the latest news, reviews, and interviews from the extreme metal scene for you.
