The King Diamond Reviews

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King Diamond

Fatal Portrait

This is where is all began for King Diamond as a solo artist. After parting ways with Mercyful Fate in 1985, King struck out on his own that same year, taking Fate alumni Michael Denner (guitars) and Timi Hansen (bass) along for the ride and hooking up with the mighty Andy LaRocque on guitars and the one and only Mickkey Dee on drums.

Fatal Portrait maintains the flavour of Mercyful Fate, but it also takes a more streamlined approach, without sacrificing any of the heaviness found in Mercyful Fate’s music. The songs themselves cover a wide range of what we would come to expect from King Diamond – with the melodic speed metal riffing, only adding to their unique sound. Fatal Portrait was also King’s first step into the world of concept albums with tracks one to four focussing on the story of “Fatal Portrait.”

Fatal Portrait has for some unknown reason been neglected over the years and not given it’s due – it’s successor Abigail receiving and deservedly so, the bulk of the headlines. Despite this, Fatal Portrait is a powerful debut. King sings like the archangel and the band matches him note for note.

Back in 1986, no one sounded like King Diamond and Fatal Portrait is a stunning display of what was on the horizon.

King Diamond

Abigail

Abigail is arguably King Diamond’s most well known and finest hour.

This is where artistic vision, story telling and performance come together seamlessly to create an unique musical experience that has yet to be topped.

There are certainly many concept albums in existence, but none tell the tale of a demonic spirit impregnating it’s unsuspecting victim and simultaneously reeking havoc on the unfortunate couple. Throw in the Black Horsemen – who swoop in to save the day and I don’t think it can get anymore more metal!

Story aside, Abigail is a stunning display of talent with the band exploring every musical twist and turn imaginable to create a soundtrack that not only complements the lyrics, but elevates each composition beyond just a song. No second is wasted, no riff out of place, leaving me to believe that that the band knew they were creating history here. 
 
Abigail is a classic in the world of heavy metal. The fact that King Diamond continually perform the album in its entirety is proof of it’s impact and continued influence.   

King Diamond

Them

King Diamond’s third studio album is a ground breaking achievement. The story – based on a blood thirsty group of spirits called “Them” who haunt King’s fictitious abode “Amon”, is one of King’s best. 
 
Them finds the King Diamond band at the peak of their prowess. This is the sound of a band firing on all cylinders, with intricate riffs, shredding solos and energetic drumming lifting the songs to greater heights. The sheer attitude on display is jaw dropping, giving each song an intensity that no band at the time could replicate. Even the reverb drenched production adds to the atmosphere and overall feel.
 
There is no doubt that Abigail deserves all the praise it gets, but I believe that Them is equal to it’s predecessor and when the moon is full, surpasses it.

King Diamond

Conspiracy

After making a major impact with Them in 1988, King Diamond wrote a sequel.
It not only took the story a step further into the murky darkness, but injected copious amounts of melody, making Conspiracy the catchiest of all King Diamond albums up to that point. 
 
Despite the commercial sound – keyboards are pushed to the fore and production is crystal clear, the heaviness of the band remains intact. Conspiracy contains some of KD’s best material as well, with “Sleepless Nights”, “A Visit Form The Dead” and the near nine minute rollercoaster ride that is ‘At The Graves” leading the way.
 
Conspiracy is a bona fide classic and the dark horse in the King Diamond back catologue. Get it.

King Diamond

Songs For The Dead Live

Celebrate the classic that is Abigail live in the comfort of your own home.

Whether it’s the LP or the 2DVD and CD edition, the power and majesty of the music comes to life as King Diamond and band power through this masterpiece in its entirety.  

Featuring two different live performances (one from Graspop and the other from The Fillmore), the experience is in a word, electric.

Throw in a number of KD’s finest cuts to round out each set and you’ve got the perfect live representation of King Diamond in it’s present format.

A must have for all King Diamond aficionados.

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