Gene Simmons Zipper (tpb) (2013)

Most Kiss fans associate Gene Simmons with the band's hardest-rocking compositions; after all, he's responsible for such heavies as "Watchin' You," "Calling Dr. Love," "Larger Than Life," and "Goin' Blind." So many Kiss fans must have been surprised when they heard Gene's diverse 1978 solo album, with songs that contained choirs and string arrangements, plus elements of Beatles pop, '70s funk/disco, and feel-good rock & roll…

The man, the myth, the legend. Gene Simmons. He’s done, seen and said it all in his career, and we can’t get enough of him and KISS. Today, Gene Simmons has announced The Vault Experience! A limited box set which covers 150 songs spanning his career across 10CDs, feat. Guests Bob Dylan, Eddie & Alex Van Halen, Joe Perry of Aerosmith & Kiss members, AND Gene will personally hand deliver The Vaults to punters who purchase, hence “The Experience”.

As Kiss approach 40 years of ridiculously dumb rock & roll fun, it makes sense that their 20th studio album, Monster, is more self-referential than anything. Following 2009's Sonic Boom, the album marks the second set of tunes by a revamped "original" Kiss lineup, with Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons joined by new guitarist Tommy Thayer and re-emerging drummer Eric Singer donning the makeup and personas originated by Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, respectively. Dressing up these semi-random players in the classic comic book costumes is just step one in re-creating the feel of Kiss' 1970s over the top heyday.