While most 79-year-olds are settling into retirement, Peter Criss is assembling rock’s most impressive guest list for his Halloween album reveal. The original KISS drummer dropped a cryptic teaser video flashing October 31, 2025, alongside two label names—FlatIron and Silver Cat—marking his first new material announcement since 2007’s eclectic “One for All.” That 18-year gap feels intentional now, considering the firepower he’s assembled for this comeback.
All-Star Lineup Reads Like Rock’s Hall of Fame
The collaborator list reads like someone assembled rock’s most versatile session players for one definitive project. John 5 brings his metal mastery from Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, while bass legends Billy Sheehan and Matthew Montgomery (Piggy D.) anchor the rhythm section. Paul Shaffer’s piano work promises unexpected sophistication, backed by vocalists Dennis and Sharon Collins plus Cat Manning from CAT 5. Producer Barry Pointer, who’s shaped sounds for Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe, co-helms the project with Criss himself.
Strategic Return to Rock Roots
Criss describes this as a “real Peter Criss album” that leans decidedly heavier than his previous solo ventures. Remember “One for All”? That stylistic grab bag included jazz standards and Broadway covers—interesting but scattered. This time, the Catman’s focusing his energy on what made him legendary: thunderous rock drumming and authentic grit. “I got great players on it… It’s an album I always wanted to do. And hopefully the fans will like it,” Criss stated.
Perfect Timing for Rock Royalty Recognition
Halloween’s reveal strategically precedes Criss’s Kennedy Center Honor ceremony and follows his recent Raven Drum Foundation Legacy Award. These accolades remind everyone that beneath KISS’s theatrical makeup lived serious musicians who influenced generations. Late-2025’s release window maximizes this recognition momentum while giving the KISS Army—still one of rock’s most devoted fanbases—something substantial to celebrate beyond nostalgia tours and farewell announcements.
When someone who helped define arena rock’s sound promises to return to those roots at 79, authentic rock craftsmanship still matters in an era of manufactured viral moments. Your playlist might need room for some old-school thunder.
