Vinnie Vincent, the former KISS guitarist, has doubled down on his controversial plan for releasing his long-awaited Guitarmaggedon album — and he’s made it clear: if fans don’t support him financially, the record may never see the light of day.
Vincent first announced his unique release strategy in December, revealing he would sell the album one song at a time on individually signed and numbered CDs, each priced at $200 plus shipping. Fans would only receive a track once 1,000 pre-sales were reached. With 18 songs listed — and promises of more — completing the full album would cost each fan at least $3,600.
“There’s no money releasing a record like this with bootlegging thieves at my door. Unless I get compensated for my work, the album stays unheard,” Vincent wrote. “It comes down to this; if the fan support is not there which it does not appear to be, this record will not be released.
“Am I fine with that? Absolutely. 100%,” he continued. “It will be the greatest album of all time, never to be heard, never to be released. If people want my music, and think they’re punishing me by not buying it because of the price, it matters not to me. They’re the ones who will lose out.”
“Guitarmaggedon is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. I lived thru Meet the Beatles, Led Zeppelin II, (Jimi) Hendrix Are You Experienced, Jeff Beck Truth, CREAM Wheels of Fire, PINK FLOYD etc… The only difference is these albums are generation tested and have the benefit of fermentation of time. But as for impact and perfection from the first song to last, Guitarmaggedon is a classic,” Vincent said, defending the album’s quality.
He previously emphasized that this plan is designed to prevent “premature pirating,” but admits the high price has drawn criticism. One fan commented on Facebook last month, expressing concern: “I fear though, that this price will deter people from truly enjoying your beautiful art in this horrendous economy, especially if it will be this way for each single. I was hoping your new music would be released as a whole, for a fair industry standard retail price of 18.99 (or so)… it’s a bit much for us devoted fans who are struggling to justify our electric bills and other utilities needed to feel ‘normal’ and still have a monetary amount of cash to barely save after we put gas in the car once the bills are paid.”
Vincent responded bluntly, framing his message both personally and generally: “First of all, consider the analogy to caviar or fine art. Not everyone can afford it. That simple. Second, I resent your ‘personal life’s needs … prices alleviate my burdens’ insult. Who the f**k are you to assume such a theory because you can’t afford or don’t want to pay or don’t agree with my price? … Oh but you expect a fair market price of 18.99.”
He went on to address the modern challenges facing independent artists: “Fair market price? Lol. That was yesteryear. Welcome to the new agenda. Artists can and will set their own standards and rules for the purchase price of their art, when they’ve had their fill of being ripped off … that’s (if) there are any or many artists of value left, aside from the standard list. If you don’t agree with the price, don’t buy it. It’s that easy.”
Vincent also called out entitled fans and highlighted the harsh reality for creators today: “Independent artists now have to navigate a ‘Mad Max wasteland of survival’ and are the directed victims of massive ripoffs, reduced to beg and pander for likes and subscribes from self-entitled brats who want their work for free or for next to nothing. Yet these are the same whiners who have no problem paying someone $500 for a brick from a house he demolished or $1,000 for a sweaty pair of used socks. But you b**ches cry and whine like f**king babies when VV sells something at a price you don’t like. Grow the f**k up! My price protects me from people like ‘you’ who will buy cheap from the theft of bootleggers.”
He even suggested critics stick with his older music: “Frankly, I have no interest in whether you buy my works at my price or not. In fact, I recommend that you stay with your KISS records. Because that’s where you belong. My music is not for you.”
Vincent also encouraged artists to reclaim power in the industry: “If artists had any f**king balls they would unite, form a coalition and shut down all free goods giveaway and stop the suck-up pandering to social media fans and bring it all back to where it began.”
Ultimately, Vincent underscored the value of his work: “My price is my compensation for my talent and the music that fans want and wait for. And lastly, it’s worth every f**king penny. It’s the best designer drug on the market — an endless high of pure fire running through your veins.”
