Former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent has sparked debate in the rock world with the release of his new single, “Ride the Serpent.” Rather than issuing the track through usual distribution channels, Vincent is selling a limited‑edition CD single exclusively from his own online store, priced at $225 for U.S. buyers and about $300 for international customers. The offering includes a personally signed disc in a simple envelope, and according to Vincent, the steep price reflects both the rarity of the release and his desire to protect his work from piracy.
Vincent argues that “Ride the Serpent” is a collector’s item from his upcoming Vinnie Vincent Invasion album Judgement Day Guitarmageddon, the band’s first new material in decades. He has defended the pricing on social media, asserting that the music’s value surpasses that of most full‑length albums and that charging a premium is necessary to safeguard the recordings.
The decision has not been without its critics. Some fans have expressed frustration online over the unusually high cost for a single track, prompting Vincent to push back sharply at detractors and encourage supporters to accept his business approach. Despite the divide, the release has drawn attention to how legacy artists navigate the evolving music marketplace.