KING DIAMOND

The return of the King is prepared to reform the metal army, did he end up in the hospital?

One of metals most prolific icons, King Diamond, has returned to Vancouver. It was a pretty quick turnaround this time, only 5 years from that last visit.  I think previous to 2019, it was 20+ years, so to me it was a surprise tour announcement that was made back of July of this year.   However, that might of not been a long enough absence from Canada as about a week prior to this show, a couple of dates that being Edmonton and Saskatoon were cancelled due to “Unforeseen Circumstances”.   Also this show got moved from the elaborate Orpheum Theatre to the smaller Vogue Theatre.  There was a lot of moaning and groaning about that change too, as ticket pricing was far higher at the Orpheum, with no seat choices as ticket prices dropped.  Fans were dismayed that they paid serious money for those specific seats but the promotions team at MRG did the best they could with early entrance to those folks.   Too me, it sounded tickets were not moving as well as expected, but we were happy the King made it to Vancouver regardless of the circumstances.   The real question is, why didn’t these shows sellout?  I think the King is paying a price for not being to those cities in 20+ years (or at all) and fans have simply moved on.  Or could it be that King Diamond hasn’t released a new album in 18+ years?  Even Vancouver, the Vogue Theatre holds approximately 1300, and as I looked at the crowd, I estimated about 1000. King Diamond has solid support acts with him with Night Demon and one of the most well known bands in thrash metal – Overkill.

The one thing we all wondered was after all this, is this going to be a scaled down show? Well as the Overkill tapestry was taken down, the mansion like stage structure did fit snugly inside the Vogue Theatre, so we were all relieved to see this.   I have to say its one of the largest stage setups you will see on a metal tour these days, which in this economy, justifies him charging 99$ for the walkup tickets.

The band itself, has not changed since we last saw them in 2019 here in Vancouver.  Andy La Rocque (guitar), Mike Wead (guitar), Pontus Egberg (bass) and Matt Thompson (drums) are very formidable group of players.   The big difference we did see this show was the supporting cast.  On this tour with Danish goth/blackgaze singer Myrkur is doing the supporting vocals and keyboards and  Jodi Cachia is doing the dancing and acting parts.

The good news is that in tentatively 2025, for the first time like I mentioned previously, 18 years, King Diamond is set to release via Metal Blade The Institute.  This is supposedly a two LP horror concept story, with a 2^nd album to be released at a later date. Will we hear some this tonight?

King Diamond makes his entrance and above the coffin of Abigail pulls a dagger out and eviscerates a doll to commence the show.  Thereafter, going into and old favorite from the classic Abigail album with “The Arrival”.  That song is a litmus test to his falsetto voice, and I must say we were in for a great show tonight.  Another awesome song from 1987’s Abigail album with “A Mansion in the Darkness”, La Rocque La killed it on that solo, mind-blowing.  Thereafter a couple other staple we heard before with “Halloween” and “Voodoo”, seeing Diamond climb the stairs to the top of the 3 story stage structure and singing atop.

Ok, now the show gets really interesting with a song I have not heard before with “Spider Lilly”. This is one of the new ones that are coming out next year.  I like it too!  Doesn’t stray at all from anything he has done in the past vocally or musically.  “Sleepless Nights” up next and that doesn’t disappoint at all with La Rocque’s shredding and some deeper vocals with King near the end.

“GRANDMAAAAAAA” as a couple ladies screech behind me as they ‘try’ to sing along with “Welcome Home”.   Of course, granny is wheeled out with the King in a mask and long blond hair.  I think I preferred the granny back in 2019 actually, far scarier to look at.  To me, the theatrics from 2019 are better over this one, maybe the much larger Queen Elizabeth theatre made for that, but it was noticeable.

“Invisible Guests” (Them album) and from the Fatal Portrait album “The Candle” were songs 8 and 9.  In 2019, they had a new song called “Masquerade of Madness” and that was played at song 10, it actually has aged very well and still sounds great among all these classic songs.  BUT, thereafter, another treat from King Diamond, with “Electro Therapy” which is also another new one which fits right in with the Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920 theme.  Did I like this song? MMmmm, I think I will have to give it a couple re-listens to let it sink in.  He did sport a new look during a couple songs with his doctor persona.

“Eye of the Witch” (The Eye album) was the surprise for me tonight.  I thought this song came off really well live.  That was not played last tour in 2019.  “Burn” ended the main set.

Encore time, and we got one. “Abigail”, one of my personal favorite King Diamond songs that ended this show off strongly.  He didn’t play that one at all in Vancouver in 2019 either, thank god, umm I mean Satan, he did!

What did I think of this show?  Was it worth 100+ dollars?  If you are there to see King Diamond for the first time, definitely!  Hardcore fan? I would say you had to attend because there were new songs introduced.   Theatrics?  Much the same as last time, I would say the 2019 show was a little better there.  Like it or not, theatrics will always need to be part of these shows, just wouldn’t be the same without them.   What was a little more different was King was talking slightly more between songs, I recall one audience member screaming “Mercyful Fate!” and the King said “Well if you invite them, they may come”, I for one would love to see that tour in the Pacific Northwest sooner than later.  I say this because King Diamond at 68 is not getting any younger.  It baffles me how he does those falsetto screams at 68 but I think Mrykur on the backing vocals helps a little on the high end at points where his voice may fall off.  Other than that, he was pretty dead on with each of the 14 songs.   Being flanked with 2 stellar guitarists with Wead and La Rocque was also extraordinary, watching them effortlessly rip solos through the set.   I’ve said this before, you have to start attending these older bands.  I mean how much more longer will Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth of Overkill who is 65, and the older King Diamond going to be doing tour buses?  Get out there, go see this tour.  No regrets.