Best Albums !: Kiss. Unmasked (1980)

Unmasked is an album by the American band Kiss released in 1980. It is the group's 14th album (not counting compilations). At the time it was the last studio album from the original lineup of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, although Criss actually had no involvement with the recording of the album. Anton Fig (uncredited) played all drums on the album. This album marked one departures for Kiss:This was the first album since "Love Gun" (not counting solos) to not feature all members on vocals.

Although the album reached #35 on the U.S. Billboard chart and was certified gold, it marked a major departure musically for the band. The album was the group's most pop-oriented to date, and Kiss fans have a love-hate relationship with Unmasked to this day. While some rate it as a misunderstood gem, others view it as another nail in the coffin of the classic Kiss sound.

The band filmed a promotional video for "Shandi," with Peter Criss. It was the last time Criss appeared with Kiss in any capacity until he performed with them at a Kiss Convention on June 17, 1995. In the band's authorized biography, Criss revealed that he was the last one left in the band's dressing room after filming, and broke down crying.

A lip-synched German television performance of "Talk to Me" and "She's So European" featured the debut of Eric Carr, who became the band's permanent drummer until his death in 1991. The band would play a concert at the now defunct Palladium Theatre in New York to officially introduce Carr as Criss' permanent replacement in the band.

It was certified Gold on July 30, 1980, when it sold 500,000 copies