In an interview promoting Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, Gene Simmons said the band might be recording a follow-up to Sonic Boom in the future.^[2] On March 10, Simmons said in an radio interview for Heavy Metal Thunder that the band will enter the studio in three weeks and that they have around 20 to 25 songs ready to record.^[3] Eric Singer said during an Eric Singer Project soundcheck that the band will start recording the album on April 4th.^[4]
Paul Stanley has revealed that the album cover art will be stylistically similar to that of Destroyer, although painted by a different artist, and has since been changed to an actual photo of the band. According to an interview with lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, the band had the intention of creating an album with a slightly heavier sound than Sonic Boom, as well as recreating the vibe that existed on the band's earlier material.^[5] Similarly, Gene Simmons has likened the album to a combination of three of the band's previous albums, Destroyer, Revenge and the album's predecessor Sonic Boom.^[6]
Also, while doing interviews for his appearance in ABC's TV-show Castle, Simmons commented the sound of the album: "Meat and potatoes. You know it's going to be like Santa Claus. Up and down, everybody gets used to this and that, and things change, and fashion changes, but it's good to know that Santa comes, and he’s not going to change his outfit and you know what you’re going to get: gifts. Consistency of message."^[7]
The band also went to use old analog equipment instead of a more popular digital recording gear. Simmons said about it: "Technology is a seductive bitch, she will seduce you. You press this button, you don't have to do anything. But analog is the love of your life. You can push real hard and it always gives back. For the new album, the actual recording process was 24-track tape and an old Trident board. And as many tubes as possible. You need tubes, electricity and thick wood to make that thick sound."^[8]
In an interview with Elliot Segal on Elliot in the Morning, May 2, 2011, Simmons mentioned that the band had recorded around five songs and that the album sounds as a mix between Destroyer and Revenge.^[9] The album was originally supposed to contain 10 songs, but Simmons revealed before the American Music Awards of 2011 that Monster will contain 15 brand new songs, all studio written by the band. This has since been reduced to 13 songs. ^[10]
The band uploaded a video on January 3, 2012 on YouTube in which Stanley commented that the album is two to three days from finishing.^[11] The recording process of the album was completed on January 6, 2012. Stanley reported to Kissonline.com the following day, "Listening to the tracks back to back is like sensory overload. Everyone who has heard any of it is completely blown away. Powerful, heavy, melodic and epic. It makes us very proud. You all will be too."^[12]
On March 22, 2012, Stanley said in an interview with VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner, "Monster is really the culmination of everything this band has been in the past and where we're going. When we did Sonic Boom, it was a big task for us because we were saying, 'How do we define who we are today without losing who we've been?' So, that was a tall order for us, but once we got that under our belts, we wanted to go back in and Monster is far, far beyond anything we've done in terms of Sonic Boom and yet it's right up there with some of the best stuff we've done. It's KISS." ^[13]
The new single, "Hell or Hallelujah", was released on July 2, 2012 internationally and on July 3 in North America along with the Monster Book. On September 4, 2012, Gene Simmons and Doc McGhee said in an interview with Ray Waddell of Billboard magazine that the second single from Monster will be launched in a couple weeks. ^[14]
After several release delays, Monster will be released in North America on October 9th, 2012.
Initial reaction from the audience was positive. Former Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach revealed on his Twitter account the track "The Devil Is Me", saying "it kicks TOTAL ASS!!".^[16] Skid Row's lead guitarist Dave "The Snake" Sabo was also of positive opinion of the album, posting on Twitter "its [sic] very good!!".^[17] BackstageAxxess wrote: "This solid release by Kiss should delight the Kiss Army!" ^[18] Grande Rock stated: "Monster is not all that bad, and it is definitely a grower"

• Paul Stanley - rhythm guitar, vocals
• Gene Simmons - bass guitar, vocals
• Tommy Thayer - lead guitar, vocals
• Eric Singer - drums, vocals