Released September 22, 1998.
Bruce Fairbairn produced "Psycho Circus".
Peter Criss was not given the opportunity to play on the album. Instead producer
Bruce Fairbairn brought in Kevin Valentine to record on all the album tracks
but one.
Ace Frehley didn't play on all the songs either. Ace played on his own "Into
the Void" and was able to play guitar solos on a couple songs. Once again,
this was a decision by producer Bruce Fairbairn.
"Into the Void" is the only song that features all four original
Kiss members playing in the studio.
Paul Stanley played most of the rhythm guitar on "Psycho Circus".
Several songs were written and recorded for "Psycho Circus" that
didn't make the record. Several of these songs were later released as B-Sides.
Ace submitted several songs for the record but Bruce Fairbairn chose only
one, "Into the Void."
The original line-up recorded a new version of "Detroit Rock City"
in the studio for the "Detroit Rock City" movie. Unforunately this
version of the song was never released on CD, but was featured in the movie.
"Psycho Circus" didn't generate a Top 10 hit single, but the title
song did get a lot of airplay on rock radio. The title track went all the
way to number one of Billboard Mainstream ROck charts and got a Grammy nomination
for Best Rock Performance.
"Psycho Circus" sold Gold within five weeks of it's release.
Bob Ezrin was originally slated to produce "Psycho Circus" but couldn't
because of "time constraints".
Former Kiss axeman Bruce Kulick co-wrote "Dreamin" with Paul Stanley.
A special 2-CD version of "Psycho Circus" was released to promote
the tour.
According to Ace Frehley
"The plan was for all four of us to reunite in the studio for the first time since 'Dynasty' in 1979. I remember presenting three or four demos to the producer, Bruce Fairbairn, and the band. Before I sent them off, Jeanette warned me by saying, "Don't send them that many songs; they're gonna steal your ideas!" I just laughed it off...one of the songs I submitted was titled "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Rock 'n' Roll". Upon closer examination of the lyrics, I realized that some of them mirrored one of Paul's songs on 'Psycho Circus', "I Pledge Allegiance to the State of Rock 'n' Roll".
-No Regrets, Ace Frehley, p263
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