Kiss: Our coffee table book is really a coffee table

EDITORS NOTE - HEAVY USE OF FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

Never ones to do things small, glam rockers Kiss unveil the latest addition to their empire - a giant photo book chronicling the band's life on tour over the past 40 years.

The book, appropriately entitled "Monster", weighs 40 pounds (18 kgs), stands at three feet tall, and costs more than 4000 (U.S.) dollars.

The group's two founding members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley talked about their big baby.

SOUNDBITE: Kiss Bass Guitarist and Singer Gene Simmons, saying (English):

"Let's put it bluntly. It's not a cheap book because it's handbound, hand put together. It's the Rolls Royce of books."

SOUNDBITE: Kiss Lead Singer and Rhythm Guitarist Paul Stanley, saying (English):

"Some people would say it's a coffee table book. But really it's a coffee table."

With the hefty price tag, only 1000 are being released initially, with special editions being printed for various countries.

One of the books will be auctioned for British charity Help for Heroes.

The band are also performing a special gig in London on the 4th of July, coincidentally America's Independence Day, with all proceeds going to the charity.

SOUNDBITE: Kiss Lead Singer and Rhythm Guitarist Paul Stanley, saying (English):

"What we take for granted is the fact we live in a free country. Over here in England, it's much the same. A free country's greatest national treasure are the people who keep it free."

Stanley has dual roles of rocker and producer for the band's 20th studio album, also called "Monster", set for release in October.

SOUNDBITE: Kiss Lead Singer and Rhythm Guitarist Paul Stanley, saying (English):

"Bands go into the studio and try to sound like they once did. We wanted to make the album that sounds like we never did. Something that's far beyond anything we've ever done. It's really good."

Kiss are set to kick off a U.S. tour with fellow rockers Motley Crue on July 20.

Cindy Martin, Reuters