King Diamond, the man, made his start as the notorious frontman for one of metal's most beloved cult bands, Mercyful Fate. The band released a couple of classic albums in the eighties before separating due to musical differences. At that point, King launched his solo career in 1985 with 'Fate guitarist Michael Denner and Bassist Timi Hansen along with new recruits Andy LaRocque(guitars) and Mikkey Dee(drums). By releasing the single "No Presents For Christmas" that holiday season, this new band, aptly named King Diamond, built an incredible buzz for their first full-length, Fatal Portrait, which was released that Spring. It was instantly a hit among the legions of Fate fanatics who realized that the legacy spawned by Mercyful Fate lived on within the grooves of King's new endeavor.
The following year, the band released Abigail, which played further upon the horror themes and concepts that King hinted at on the debut. The album became quite a success, expanding King's following well beyond what Mercyful Fate had achieved sales wise, as well as in the amount of exposure and touring the band accomplished. Unfortunately, friend and guitarist Michael Denner had to leave the band prior to any touring commitments and was replaced temporarily by ex-Madison guitar shredder Michael Moon.
With the acclaim for their lyrical imagination growing, Them was released, followed by one of the most enthralling and involved tours in musical history that incorporated a full stage set and various actors to play the roles depicted on the album. This period of time also saw the addition of new members Pete Blakk(guitars) and Hal Patino(bass). Them was a conceptual masterpiece that many felt could have been translated into a novel or film. (King still considers this a possibility) This was also the first King Diamond album to enter the Billboard Top 100.
Conspiracy was promptly recorded in 1989, marking the end of drummer Mikkey Dee's performance in the band and the beginning of Snowy Shaw's involvement. Another successful tour was done before King Diamond began working on their next (and then last) opus, The Eye. The Eye was another conceptual work revolving around the controversial theme of persecution at the hands of the Christians over the centuries. It made an explosive debut and was greeted with adamant opinion, both pro and con, regarding the topic. At this time the band started having difficulties with their record label, as well as the current line-up seeing King Diamond, the band, dissolve with only King and Andy remaining to demo material for a new label.
In the meantime, King started working again with Mercyful Fate on a new album. Mercyful Fate's In The Shadows was released after both 'Fate and King Diamond were snatched up by Metal Blade Records. A few years and two Mercyful Fate releases later, King Diamond was reformed with original guitarist Andy LaRocque, Herb Simonsen(guitar), Chris Estes(bass) and Darrin Anthony(drums). King revisited the familiar Dallas Sound Lab Studios with this revamped line-up and recorded the comeback King Diamond album, The Spider's Lullabye.
The newest, and we dare say the most brilliant, King Diamond offering, The Graveyard, is a chilling story of incest, child molestation and the brutal ensuing trial of the purveyor of these evil deeds that is judged by a man who has been driven insane. The musicianship is absolutely astounding and it is plain to see that the musicians have all grown since the last album and really cut loose on The Graveyard. The character depiction is so convincing that you find yourself feeling that perhaps it is you who is going insane. King Diamond's ability to weave a tale of the macabre has never been demonstrated better than on The Graveyard, a recording that will shock, horrify and enthrall all who dare to enter.
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