Famous for his multi-octave range and for switching effortlessly back and forth between a demonic falsetto and a gravelly growl, Kim Bendix Petersen aka King Diamond is one of the most unique characters in heavy metal history. King Diamond’s debut ‘Fatal Portrait’ (1986) was indebted to the satanical approach of Mercyful Fate, who were among the leading lights of the first wave of black metal as well as a formative influence on Metallica, Slayer and others. Soon, though, King Diamond would carve out a niche all their own. The string of concept albums that followed galvanised millions of fans worldwide and inspired countless musicians and bands. From ‘Abigail’ (1987), ‘Them’ (1988) and ‘Conspiracy’ (1989) right down to the Grammy-nominated ‘Give Us Your Soul… Please’ (2007), King Diamond’s discography is haunted by some of metal’s most unsavoury characters. ‘Spider Lilly’, the leading single off the long-awaited new album, is the first part of the forthcoming Horror Trilogy, with the first instalment titled ‘Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920’. King Diamond shows are theatrical performances in every sense of the word: not only do they take their own set design on tour but the horror stories that unfold in the lyrics are acted out on stage. After a long and storied career, King Diamond and his coven once again return to the GMM stage. There’s time for a few new chapters yet… #GMM25
