King Diamond

King Diamond

King Diamond is a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1985 by vocalist King Diamond, guitarists Andy LaRocque and Michael Denner, bassist Timi Hansen and drummer Mikkey Dee. The group takes its name from King Diamond, which was already associated with the singer from his Mercyful Fate period. Diamond, Denner and Hansen had recently left Mercyful Fate before setting up the new band.

Recorded output

The band releases its debut album, Fatal Portrait, in 1986. Its second studio album, Abigail, follows in 1987 and is its first concept album. Across its career, King Diamond releases twelve studio albums, most of them concept albums, along with two live albums, two EPs, five compilations and five singles. Four studio albums arrive during the 1980s.

Line-up and activity

King Diamond remains active from 1985 to the present. Over time, more than fifteen musicians pass through the group, with King Diamond and Andy LaRocque the two constant members for much of its history. Other named members include Mike Moon, Hal Patino, Pete Blakk, Snowy Shaw, Sharlee D’Angelo, Mike Wead, Herb Simonsen, Chris Estes, Darrin Anthony, Glen Drover, Matt Thompson and Pontus Egberg.

The band pauses in the early 1990s when King Diamond reunites with Mercyful Fate. It reforms in 1994, after which Diamond divides his time between recording and touring with both groups. From 2014 onward, the line-up includes King Diamond, LaRocque, Mike Wead, Matt Thompson and Pontus Egberg. Andy LaRocque leaves the band in 2026.

Style

King Diamond is associated with heavy metal, progressive metal, black metal and metal, and is also tagged as horror metal.