Top 10 King Diamond Songs

King Diamond Songs

Kim Bendix Petersen, known to the world as King Diamond, is a powerhouse in the heavy metal scene, famed for his remarkable vocal range and his theatrical stage presence, complete with signature face paint and a microphone stand adorned with bones. Born in Denmark on June 14, 1956, King Diamond was influenced early on by the theatricality of artists like Alice Cooper. He initially made waves in the ’70s with local bands, eventually becoming a pivotal figure in Mercyful Fate, a band known for its gothic black metal sound and occult-themed lyrics.

Mercyful Fate gained attention with their albums “Melissa” and “Don’t Break the Oath” in the early ’80s, but internal disagreements led to the band’s dissolution. Diamond then embarked on a solo career, maintaining his unique blend of theatrical rock and heavy metal. His solo work, particularly the concept album “Abigail,” is celebrated for its storytelling and intricate narratives.

Despite Mercyful Fate’s breakup, the band reunited in the ’90s, releasing several more albums while Diamond continued his solo projects. His influence is widespread, acknowledged by bands such as Metallica and Cradle of Filth. Diamond’s career has not been without its challenges, including health issues that led to heart surgery in 2010.

Throughout his career, King Diamond has been known for changing his makeup style, and his lyrics often explore themes of horror and the occult. His personal beliefs in Satanism, which he views more as a philosophy, have also influenced his music. Married to Hungarian singer Livia Zita, Diamond has continued to make music and perform, contributing to the heavy metal genre’s evolution while maintaining his iconic status.

# 10 – Eye of the Witch

Kicking off our King Diamond playlist is the electrifying track “Eye of the Witch.” This song is a treasure for horror aficionados, with its chilling lyrics that perfectly capture a dark and eerie atmosphere. Featured on King Diamond’s 1990 album, The Eye, the track stands out for its haunting keyboard riff, which eerily echoes the iconic theme from the horror movie Phantasm. The exceptional guitar work by Pete Blakk and Andy LaRocque adds a layer of depth and intensity to the song, making it an unforgettable piece in King Diamond’s repertoire.

# 9 – Never Ending Hill

As I am watching this video, I am wondering if the fence placed in front of the stage is to protect the band from the audience or perhaps the audience from the band. I will tell you one thing, if I was there I would be pretty happy to have that fence up. This dude scares me. But I love their music, and “Never Ending Hill” was one of their best. Listen to that guitar solo at the one minute and thirty mark.

# 8 – The Candle

“The Candle,” a track from King Diamond’s 1986 release Fatal Portrait, sets a compellingly dark tone for the album. The song begins with an evocative intro that perfectly encapsulates the sinister atmosphere inherent to this metal masterpiece. As the haunting depths of the introductory narration give way, listeners are immediately thrust into the realm of King Diamond’s extraordinary vocal range. The transition from the spoken word to his signature singing style serves as a powerful showcase of his dynamic vocal prowess.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical narrative of the Book of Jonah, the song’s themes and lyrics intertwine with the story’s motifs, adding layers of depth and intrigue. This blend of dark thematic elements with King Diamond’s unique musical and vocal style makes “The Candle” a standout track, not only on Fatal Portrait but also within the broader metal genre, continuing to enchant and engage audiences.

# 6 – Arrival

“Arrival,” a standout track from King Diamond’s album “Abigail,” showcases the remarkable energy and skill of King Diamond and his band. Despite the band members’ advancing age, their live performances brim with a vitality that commands attention. The song’s distinctive instrumentals set it apart as a gem for metal aficionados, blending technical prowess with a unique sonic landscape.

King Diamond’s signature falsetto, a defining element of the track, contrasts intriguingly with the band’s overall dark and ominous aesthetic. To the uninitiated, this juxtaposition might seem unsettling, but it’s precisely this blend of ethereal vocal delivery and thematic darkness that captivates fans and defines the band’s unique niche within the metal genre. “Arrival” not only highlights the band’s musical talents but also underscores their ability to engage and mesmerize listeners with their compelling storytelling and thematic depth.

# 6 – Halloween

The incredible song Halloween was released on the Fatal Portrait album. It stands as the band’s first album.  The album has achieved significant commercial success, particularly in North America, where it has surpassed 100,000 sales. Its title, Fatal Portrait, draws inspiration from Oscar Wilde’s literary masterpiece “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” where the painting is referred to as “the fatal portrait” on multiple occasions, mirroring themes of decay and the supernatural. The lineup on this album features King Diamond himself on vocals and guitars , Andy LaRocque and Michael Denner on guitars, Timi Hansen on bass, and Mikkey Dee handling the drums, setting the stage for the unique sound and legacy of King Diamond’s debut.

# 5 – The Puppet Master

We couldn’t leave this one off the list. “The Puppet Master,” is the title track from the eleventh studio release from King Diamond, which made its debut on October 21, 2003. This album stands out with a limited edition that features a DVD, wherein the band’s lead singer, King Diamond himself, narrates the album’s underlying story. Crafted as a concept album, it weaves an intricate narrative centered around a young couple’s eerie encounter at a puppet show in 18th-century Budapest. Their fateful night out spirals into a dark tale as they are transformed into undead puppets by the malevolent Puppet Master and his accomplice, his wife.

# 4 – Sleepless Nights

“Sleepless Nights,” a standout track from King Diamond’s 1989 album Conspiracy, remains an unforgettable ballad penned by guitarist Andy LaRocque. In an interview, LaRocque revealed that the song’s captivating guitar riff drew inspiration from Black Sabbath’s 1978 track “Air Dance.” The music video for “Sleepless Nights” gained significant attention when it was featured on MTV’s metal-focused show, Headbanger’s Ball, which played a key role in bolstering King Diamond’s reception among American audiences. This exposure contributed to the band’s growing popularity in the United States during that period.

# 3 – Give Me Your Soul

The track “Give Me Your Soul” from King Diamond’s twelfth studio album, Give Me Your Soul…Please, stands out for its memorable chorus and King Diamond’s dynamic vocal performance, adeptly conveying a spectrum of emotions integral to the song’s narrative. The contributions of Andy LaRocque and Mike Wead elevate this piece, making it one of the most poignant ballads in King Diamond’s repertoire. Released on June 26, 2007, Give Me Your Soul…Please delves into a concept inspired by the haunting painting “My Mother’s Eyes” and features cover art that includes a black cat modeled after King’s own pet, Magic. This album also marks the final appearance of bassist Hal Patino, who parted ways with the band in 2014.

# 2 – Welcome Home

“Welcome Home” stands as one of the most popular King Diamond songs ever released. The song was released on the Them album released on June 20, 1988, in Europe and on September 13, 1988, in the United States, marks the third studio album by the Danish heavy metal ensemble King Diamond. This album stands out as the inaugural project featuring guitarist Pete Blakk and bassist Hal Patino under the King Diamond banner. Renowned for its intricate narrative, Them serves as the first installment of a two-part conceptual saga revolving around the character King and his grandmother, who battles with mental illness. This eerie tale delves into King’s chilling journey into insanity, guided by his grandmother and the mysterious, unseen entities residing within the House of Amon, cryptically referred to as “Them.”

The creative force behind the album includes King Diamond himself, taking on multiple roles as the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and even handling the guitar for rehearsal versions, in addition to his duties in production and mixing. Andy LaRocque contributes his expertise on the guitar and acoustic guitar for the track “Them,” while also assisting in production. The lineup is rounded out by Pete Blakk on guitar, Hal Patino on bass, and Mikkey Dee, who not only provides the drum tracks but also contributes as an assistant producer. Roberto Falcao plays a pivotal role, enriching the album with his keyboard talents and overseeing the production, engineering, and mixing processes, cementing Them as a significant chapter in the King Diamond discography.

# 1 – Abigail

We close out our King Diamond songs by listing the artist’s most epic composition and recording. Abigail narrates the chilling story of Miriam Natias and Jonathan La’Fey, who move into a haunted mansion they inherited. Ignoring warnings from seven horsemen about a curse, they stay and encounter the ghost of Count de La’Fey, an ancestor. He reveals a mummified stillborn child, Abigail, in a casket, warning that Miriam is carrying Abigail’s spirit, set to be reborn.

The ghost recounts how he killed his unfaithful wife and their unborn child, Abigail, in 1777, choosing to preserve the child’s body for reasons unknown. Back in 1845, strange occurrences plague Jonathan and Miriam, confirming the ghost’s warning. Miriam quickly becomes pregnant, and as the child grows, the couple realizes the ghost’s prophecy is coming true.

Jonathan’s attempt to confront and end the cycle of rebirth ends in tragedy when the possessed Miriam pushes him down the stairs. Miriam dies giving birth to Abigail, leaving behind a haunting legacy. The seven horsemen find Abigail in a grotesque state and bury her with hopes of ending the curse, driving silver spikes through her body to prevent her return.

Photo: Llann Wé², CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 King Diamond Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021

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