King Diamond (band)
King Diamond is a Danish heavy metal band formed in 1985 by vocalist King Diamond, guitarists Andy LaRocque and Michael Denner, bassist Timi Hansen and drummer Mikkey Dee. King, Denner and Hansen had recently departed the group Mercyful Fate, and decided to form a new band under the King Diamond moniker, as it was already known from the initial Mercyful Fate era.[1][2] Since the band's inception, there have been over fifteen musicians in and out of King Diamond, with the only two mainstays being Diamond and LaRocque. Their current lineup consists of Diamond, LaRocque, guitarist Mike Wead, drummer Matt Thompson, and bassist Pontus Egberg.[3]
King Diamond
Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1985–1992
- 1994–present
King Diamond
Andy LaRocque
Mike Wead
Matt Thompson
Pontus Egberg
Hal Patino
Michael Denner
Timi Hansen
Mikkey Dee
Mike Moon
Pete Blakk
Snowy Shaw
Sharlee D'Angelo
Darrin Anthony
Herb Simonsen
Chris Estes
John Luke Hebert
Glen Drover
Paul David Harbour
King Diamond has released a total of twelve studio albums (most of them are concept albums), two live albums, two extended plays, five compilations and five singles. Their first album, Fatal Portrait, was released in 1986, followed a year later by the band's first concept album Abigail (1987). Three more albums – "Them" (1988), Conspiracy (1989) and The Eye (1990) – were released before the band was put on hiatus around 1992, when King Diamond (along with Denner and Hansen) reformed Mercyful Fate.[3][4] He reformed the King Diamond band in 1994, and would balance recording and touring with both Mercyful Fate and his eponymous band for nearly a decade, until the former went on hiatus again by the early 2000s. King Diamond's studio output has been minimal since 2007's Give Me Your Soul...Please, though the band has continued to perform live and has occasionally been teasing a new album.
History[edit]
Formation, Fatal Portrait and Abigail (1985–1987)[edit]
The band was formed in 1985 by vocalist King Diamond, guitarist Michael Denner, and bassist Timi Hansen.[1][2] The three had recently departed from the group Mercyful Fate, which fell apart due to musical differences between King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann.[1][2][4] According to Diamond, when he, Denner, and Hansen decided to form a new band, they chose the name "King Diamond" to "get better deals", and because the name was already known from Mercyful Fate.[1][2] To round-out the line-up of the King Diamond band, the group hired drummer Mikkey Dee and guitarist Andy LaRocque.[3]
In July 1985, the band began recording their debut album at Sound Track Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark.[5] On 25 December, they released their debut single "No Presents for Christmas".[6] Fatal Portrait, the band's first full-length studio album, was released on 14 March 1986, through Roadrunner Records.[5] Produced by Rune Höyer and vocalist King Diamond, the album charted at number 33 on the Swedish album chart,[7] and spawned the single "Halloween", which was released on 6 June 1986.[8]
In December 1986, King Diamond began recording their second studio album, once again at Sound Track Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark.[9] The band released the single "The Family Ghost" on 1 July 1987, for which they also shot their first music video.[10][11] About a month prior to the single, King Diamond released the album Abigail, their first concept album based on an original story by vocalist King Diamond.[9][12] The album went on to chart at number 39 in Sweden,[13] number 68 in the Netherlands,[13] and at number 123 on the Billboard 200.[14] Following Abigail's release, Denner left the band due to touring strains.[12] He was subsequently replaced by Mike Moon for the album's supporting tour, during which the band recorded the live album In Concert 1987: Abigail (however it was not released until 1991).[3][15]
"Them" and Conspiracy (1988–1989)[edit]
Following the completion of the Abigail tour, guitarist Mike Moon and bassist Timi Hansen were replaced by Pete Blakk and Hal Patino respectively.[3] On 20 June 1988, King Diamond released the third album "Them", which was recorded at M.M.C. Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark.[16] Another concept album, "Them" charted at number 38 on the Swedish album chart,[17] number 65 on the Dutch album chart,[17] and at number 89 on the Billboard 200,[18] making "Them" King Diamond's highest charting album in the U.S. to date. Another music video was also shot, this time for the single "Welcome Home".[19] On 1 November, the group released The Dark Sides EP, a collection of previously released material as well as one unreleased track.[20]
Following the completion of the supporting tour for "Them", Mikkey Dee left King Diamond.[3] However, he was rehired to play drums on the band's follow-up album, after which he was replaced by Snowy Shaw.[3] On 21 August 1989, King Diamond released the fourth album Conspiracy, which charted at number 41 on the Swedish album chart,[21] number 64 on the Dutch album chart,[21] and at number 111 on the Billboard 200.[22][23] A continuation of the storyline from "Them", Conspiracy was the first King Diamond album recorded in the United States being recorded at Rumbo Recording Studios in Canoga Park, California. A music video was also made for the track "Sleepless Nights".[24]
The Eye to House of God (1990–2000)[edit]
In June 1990, King Diamond began recording its fifth studio album The Eye at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was released on 30 October 1990.[25] The drums on the album were performed by drummer Snowy Shaw using drum pads.[26] It debuted at number 179 on the Billboard 200.[25][27] However, the band did not tour in support of the album due to the lack of label support. Following The Eye, Hal Patino and Pete Blakk were replaced by Sharlee D'Angelo and Mike Wead respectively.[3][28] However this here line-up ended-up not recording any material, as vocalist King Diamond reunited with Mercyful Fate in 1992 (King Diamond would balance recording and touring with both Mercyful Fate and his eponymous band throughout the 1990s).[3][4]
After recording and touring with Mercyful Fate, King Diamond reformed his eponymous band in 1994.[29] With the line-up of King Diamond, Andy La Rocque, as well as guitarist Herb Simonsen, bassist Chris Estes and drummer Darrin Anthony from the Texas band Mindstorm, the band spent September through October 1994, recording their next album.[3][29] Released on 6 June 1995, The Spider's Lullabye was the band's first album on Metal Blade Records, as well as their first studio release since Fatal Portrait to not be a concept album.[29] The album went on to peak at number 31 on the Finnish album charts.[30] In March 1996, King Diamond began recording their seventh studio album at the Dallas Sound Lab.[31] Released on 1 October 1996, The Graveyard saw King Diamond returning to writing concept albums.[31] The album also charted at number 23 in Finland.[32] After the album's release, drummer Darrin Anthony was forced to leave the band due to a car accident and was subsequently replaced by Chastain drummer John Luke Hebert.[3]
On 24 February 1998, King Diamond released the album Voodoo, which charted at number 27 on the Finnish album chart[33] and at number 55 on the Swedish album chart.[34] After the album's release, guitarist Herb Simonsen was replaced by Glen Drover.[3][35] When Mercyful Fate was put on hold in 1999, King Diamond began recording the album House of God at the Nomad Recording Studio in Carrollton, Texas, with their new bassist Paul David Harbour, who had replaced Chris Estes.[36] Released on 20 June 2000,[36] the album peaked at number 60 in Sweden.[37] After the album's release, guitarist Glen Drover, drummer John Luke Hebert and bassist Paul David Harbour were replaced by Mike Wead, Matt Thompson and Hal Patino respectively.[3]
Current members