Paul Stanley believes people have 'got the wrong impression' of the KISS avatars
They shouldn't be quick to judge, he insists
Paul Stanley believes that people shouldn’t be quick to judge the KISS avatars as the digital incarnations of the band are still in their embryonic stages.
At the conclusion of KISS’ last ever show at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday 2nd December, the ABBA-style KISS avatars appeared on screen and proceeded to perform the band’s version of Argent’s ‘God Gave Rock and Roll to You.’
KISS later announced that the four “superhero” avatars - Demon, Starchild, Catman and Spaceman - won’t be making their debut at a concert until 2027.
Unsurprisingly, the KISS avatars have been met with mixed reception from fans and non-fans alike, however Paul Stanley reckons that people should wait until work on the avatars is complete before they cast an opinion.
"One thing that's interesting is people, I think, perhaps even understandably, got the wrong impression initially of the avatars," Stanley told Ultimate Classic Rock. "Because at the Garden shows, we wanted to give people a glimpse of some of the things, or one of the things, that's to come.
“But the avatars are really in their infancy. They're far from where they'll end up in terms of look and purpose. The purpose, ultimately, is not that we're being replaced by flying avatars. It's just another way of diversifying what KISS is."
Stanley insists that this isn’t the first time KISS have been judged harshly for exploring new realms, saying: "Quite honestly, many times in the last 50 years, people have scratched their heads about what our plans were and nine out of 10 times they've been successful, and other people have followed. So that's nothing really new.
He continued: "We're in a fortunate position and a unique position of being a band that can do things that other bands can't do.
"So to not explore and take advantage of many of them would be, I don't know, ridiculous, and also, really, at this point, mystifying. We've worked this hard to create four icons, and a band that's iconic in so many different ways, and to not diversify and maximize what we've created, we'd be crazy."
Gene Simmons recently announced his first post-KISS show with the Gene Simmons Band for next April at the Summer Breeze festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Rock stars unmasked:
Ghost’s Tobias Forge (aka Papa Emeritus) unmasked
Flanked by his band of Nameless Ghouls, Tobias Forge has adopted a number of papal guises over the years; from the various incarnations of Papa Emeritus through to Cardinal Copia and Papa Emeritus IV. On the right is Tobias Forge without his mask at the Grammy Awards in 2019.
Nameless Ghoul Aether unmasked
In May 2022, Yorkshire musician Chris Catalyst revealed he had been masquerading as the Nameless Ghoul Aetha on Ghost's tours. Following the final arena date of Ghost's European Imperatour at László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Hungary, Catalyst shared a group photo backstage and wrote: "Amaaaazing tour with our wonderful Ghost family. I suppose that's that particular cat out of the bag. So great to be doing this again. Playing this fantastic music with these brilliant people makes me run out of superlatives." In June 2023, Catalyst confirmed he's no longer a touring member of Ghost.
Nameless Ghoul Fire unmasked
Chris Catalyst's end of tour photo also confirmed that Ghost's Nameless Ghoul lead guitarist, Fire (formerly Alpha), is former Bloodbath guitarist Per Eriksson. Fans have also given the Swedish musician's character the nickname Sodo.
John 5 unmasked
When he's performing live with Rob Zombie, guitarist John 5 wears makeup and masks onstage, including this Aliens-esque guise at Download Festival in 2014. The 52-year-old musician has recently been recruited as a touring member of Mötley Crüe and he's performing sans makeup on stage.
Richie Sambora unmasked
In February 2023, former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was unveiled as Jacket Potato on ITV show The Masked Singer. Speaking about his involvement in the show, Richie Sambora said: "It took a little getting used to (singing in a potato), but once I put it on, that was it! It's a wild reality when you do this show, it's a gas. Everyone has treated me so good here. I've had a ball! It's been a lot of fun."
Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan unmasked
Slipknot percussionist #6 Shawn Crahan unveiled his new silver clown mask to the world when the Iowan masked metallers premiered fearsome single 'Unsainted' in May 2019. Outside of the day job banging things with Slipknot, the unmasked Shawn Crahan is an acclaimed film director and photographer.
Slipknot’s Mick Thomson unmasked
Slipknot guitarist #7 Mick Thomson's metallic hockey mask is so perfectly formidable it has remained relatively unchanged for years. On the right is an Mick Thomson without his mask traversing the streets of New York in 2019 ahead of Slipknot's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Buckethead unmasked
The highly enigmatic guitarist, who wears a KFC bucket on his head, revealed his real identity on self-released 2013 album 'Pike 13'. It poignantly depicts a younger Buckethead – real name Brian Carroll – without his mask on and hugging his late dad.
Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg unmasked
Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg and his proper horrorshow burlap mask. On the right is the devilishly handsome Jay Weinberg without his mask. Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2014 replacing the departing Joey Jordison, who sadly passed away in 2021.
Slipknot’s Sid Wilson unmasked
Slipknot turntablist #0 Sid Wilson's mask dramatically changed in 2019 from his more traditional skull and gas masks to an almost Palpatine -esque deformed human mask with black robes. On the right is Sid Wilson without his mask at the premiere of Slipknot: Day Of The Gusano in Beverly Hills.
Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland unmasked and without makeup
Chameleon-like Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland is constantly coming up with brilliant new looks for the band's live shows. Fusing a mask with crudely painted make-up, this brilliantly disturbing guise is like a cross between Salvador Dali, The Joker and a demented aristocrat. Here is Wes Borland without his mask and makeup at a photoshoot in 2017.
Slipknot’s Corey Taylor unmasked
Slipknot singer #8 Corey Taylor's guise evolved into a sinister translucent mask in 2019. As the frontman of Stone Sour - and arguably the most famous member of Slipknot to boot - unless you've been living under a rock for the past two decades, you'll be well aware of what Corey Taylor looks like without his mask.
GWAR’s Blothar unmasked
Following the untimely death of singer Oderus Urungus (aka Dave Brockie) in 2014, GWAR recruited Blothar - aka Michael Bishop – as their new frontman who comes complete with a pigface goblin guise. On the right is Blothar without his mask and outlandish costume speaking at a TED Talk in 2015.
Slipknot’s Alessandro Venturella unmasked
Slipknot bassist Alessandro "Alex" Venturella's mask changed from a hessian fabric mask into patterned copper mask in 2019. The genial-looking chap on the right is Alessandro Venturella without his mask.
KISS’s Paul Stanley unmasked and without makeup
Alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley has been a member of KISS since their inception in 1973 and his alter ego The Starchild has remained a constant all this time.
Slipknot’s Jim Root unmasked
Slipknot guitarist #4 Jim Root has worn a Jester mask for the entirety of his career with only minor changes in its design. Why change perfection?! Jim Root is immediately identifiable even without his mask thanks to his luscious, voluminous beard.
Behemoth’s Nergal unmasked and without makeup
One of the standout Main Stage acts at Download Festival 2019, Polish blackened death metallers Behemoth – led by the fearsome lead vocalist Nergal – have always adorned striking make-up on stage creating an enigmatic aura. On the right is Adam Nergal Darski without makeup at an album signing session.
Ex-Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn unmasked
Before he exited Slipknot in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in April 2019, #3 Chris Fehn wore a distinctive Liar Mask – aka the Pinocchio Mask. On the right is the Chris Fehn without his mask at the premiere of Shawn Clown Crahan's movie 'Officer Downe' in 2016.
KISS’s Gene Simmons unmasked and without makeup
On stage and wearing his trademark makeup, Gene Simmons adopts The Demon persona.
KISS’s Eric Singer unmasked and without makeup
Following the death of the late-great Eric Carr in 1991, new drummer Eric Singer didn't adopt his The Fox persona; instead he resurrected original drummer Peter Criss' The Catman guise.
KISS’s Tommy Thayer unmasked and without makeup
Joining KISS permanently in 2002, Tommy Thayer jumped straight into Ace Frehley's platform heels and took on his The Spaceman makeup design.
Ghost Nameless Ghoul unmasked
In March 2017, a Swedish musician called Martin Persner shared a video claiming he was formerly a Nameless Ghoul in Ghost called Omega. He left the band in July 2016 after a seven-year stint.
Slipknot’s Tortilla Man unmasked
When Tortilla Man replaced percussionist Chris Fehn in 2019, Slipknot kept his identity shrouded in mystery. It didn't take fans long, however, to suss out that Tortilla Man was Michael Pfaff, the keyboardist for M. Shawn 'Clown' Crahan's side project Dirty Little Rabbits.