By the time of the album's release, founding member Ace Frehley was effectively no longer part of the band, although he is featured on the album cover. Most of the lead guitar work on the album was performed by session musicians, including Vinnie Vincent, who would later officially join KISS. The official band lineup for "Creatures of the Night" included Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar, vocals), Gene Simmons (bass guitar, vocals), and Eric Carr (drums, backing vocals). This was the first album to prominently feature Carr's drumming style, which was heavier and more powerful than that of his predecessor, Peter Criss.