Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions

The album was recorded between late 1995 and early 1996, but Kiss cancelled its release after committing to a reunion tour with the band's original lineup. Bootleg copies were circulated by fans, prompting the band to officially release the material in 1997 under the title Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions. According to guitarist Bruce Kulick, the bootleg versions in distribution lacked songs that are part of the official release. There was no accompanying tour to support the album, and none of the songs on Carnival of Souls have ever been performed live by Kiss.

Two former members of the band Black 'N Blue co-wrote songs on Carnival of Souls; vocalist Jaime St. James co-wrote "In My Head", and guitarist Tommy Thayer collaborated on "Childhood's End". Thayer would join Kiss as the band's permanent lead guitarist in 2002. The album's closing track, "I Walk Alone", features lead vocals from the band's then-lead guitarist Bruce Kulick, his only lead vocal performance with the band. Carnival of Souls is the band's longest album, clocking in at 60 minutes and 11 seconds.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Rock Hard	8/10[3]
Visions	2/12[4]

Guitarist Bruce Kulick wrote at his official website that Carnival of Souls had "people equally vocal about it being their favorite Kiss CD or thinking it's the worst Kiss album ever".[5] The album reached #27 on Billboard charts and the only single released from the album, "Jungle", made #8 on the US Mainstream Rock (chart). No music video was made to promote the single, which later won a 1997 Metal Edge Readers' Choice Award for Song of the Year.[6]

• Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
• Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
• Bruce Kulick – vocals, lead guitar, bass on "Rain", "I Will Be There", "Jungle", "It Never Goes Away", "In the Mirror" and "I Walk Alone"
• Eric Singer – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Singles – Billboard (North America)