The musical horror stories of King Diamond

[matt cardin]

I don't know if any TLOers are fans of King Diamond, whose signature brand of garish horror entertainment stands in significant contrast to the Ligottian cosmos and vibe. But he has been a musical companion of mine since adolescence, so in case anybody else here might find this diverting:

The Musical Horror Stories of King Diamond
Thoughts on an underappreciated master of horror storytelling

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What I want to focus on here is his skill as a storyteller, which I only recently started reflecting on, and which, as I have realized with some surprise, played a role in my own emotional formation as a horror writer, no less than the books and films that I more commonly tend to think of as my influences. Starting with Abigail and continuing with his subsequent albums — currently 11 and counting, with a new one due this year — King Diamond has told horror stories in the form of concept albums. This was something of a revolutionary idea in the beginning. Concept albums were of course not new, but to use one to tell a supernatural horror tale certainly was. And King did it brilliantly, both in terms of overall narrative skill and, in many cases, on the level of specific lyrics, both of which he wrote, and still writes, himself. . . . Them, as noted above, tells of young “King,” his mother, and his younger sister, Missy, welcoming Grandmother home from the asylum. As the story unfolds, the listener learns that Grandmother is in communion with demonic spirits, known only as “Them,” which can send humans into ecstasy by “singing” of a supernatural otherworld. In exchange, they demand a gift of human blood, which they consume. But even more: Part of the ritual involves their human partners consuming the blood, too, mixed into some tea. It was apparently this kind of thing that got Grandmother labeled insane and committed to the asylum. Once she returns home — to a house that is somehow central to all these demonic goings-on, and that she refers to mysteriously as “Amon” — she takes up residence in the attic and resumes her former practices. Moreover, she swiftly brings young King into her secret world, initiating him into her communion with Them. For the source of the necessary blood, she uses . . . his mother. The spirits physically drag King's and Missy's mother up to the attic in her sleep each night for a “tea party.” The following lyrics describe what happens next. On the following Friday as I turned out the light, Grandma came and knocked at my door. “Wake up, King! Wake up, my dear! I am going to show you about the house of Amon. . . . Even your mother is present. We made her sleep in my rocking chair.” At first I felt really scared, but there was no reason to, as I saw the knife sneaking out from grandmother’s dress. Then it cut a tiny wound in my mother’s little hand. Ooh, it is time for tea. “A bit of this in a cup of tea is what it takes to set them free. You will hear them telling stories from far beyond this earth.” What I saw and what I heard made me want to stay and learn. I really hope this dream will never end. It’s hard to describe the kind of feeling that went on in my mind. A paradise. Hearing their stories and feeling their warmth, we laughed with tears in our eyes. From the first cup of tea to the last drop of blood, nothing seemed to matter at all anymore. My mother — but she didn’t exist to me.

[Schopenhauer]

"Them" is a one of a kind album. Great stuff.

[xylokopos]

I have listened to King Diamond for over 30 years. Conspiracy was one of the first albums I ever purchased. I still sing At the Graves to myself on occasion, for some reason. Liked Them, loved Abigail - Mansion in Darkness is a heavy metal masterpiece by any standard and for any era. I haven't really followed up with much of his work after The Eye.

A brilliant artist, sui generis in the truest sense, and not seeing him live is one of my lasting regrets. I am glad he didn't chainsmoke himself to death in the end, though I don't think he has maintained that insane vocal range.

As Matt mentioned, he did not quite pioneer the heavy metal concept album, but he was the most adept practitioner from the mid-80s to the mid-90s at the very least.

My ears perk up whenever I hear someone call out "Missy" in films or in life...

[MadsPLP]

He has maintained that insane vocal range. Seen him live thrice with King Diamond and one with Mercyful Fate, and I think he sings excellently. He smoked 3-4 packages a day before his bypass operation, and quitting smoking has helped his voice immensely.

I prefer Mercyful Fate over King Diamond, but honestly, if the two first MF albums weren't the best Danish albums period, King's first four would hold that place (I can't decide between them).

Interesting point about the lyrics written as prose - I've never thought of that, but it's spot on.

Of later King Diamond, I'd recommend The Puppet Master as the best.

[matt cardin]

Cool to see other King connoisseurs among the TLO crowd. I've never seen him perform live -- in fact, I've hardly seen any bands perform live, with a couple of notable exceptions -- but I've watched some of the recorded shows and have been quite impressed at the musical quality. Many live recordings are a disappointment, but his are great. It's clear that the levels of vocal and musical skill are legitimately high.

Thank you for the Puppet Master recommendation, MadPLP. I've actually never listened to that one, but in recent months it has come to my attention that, as you mention, it's one of his best. I've listened to a couple of tracks, have read a plot synopsis and portions of the libretto/lyrics, and have been duly impressed.

Separately, if "Masquerade of Madness" is any indication of the overall quality of his forthcoming new double album The Institute, delayed these past few years, then it will really be something.

King Diamond - Masquerade of Madness (Official Audio) - YouTube

And btw, if you've never watched this 1987 interview with him on The Joe Franklin Show, when he was touring for Abigail, be aware that it's worth your seven minutes. He (King) comes off as impressively urbane.

King Diamond {interview joe franklin show 1987} - YouTube

	TLO THOMAS LIGOTTI ONLINE

[MadsPLP]

In Henrik Marstal's book about Mercyful Fate's Don't Break the Oath (published earlier this year in the 33 1/3 series), producer Henrik Lund is quoted saying this about King's vocal:

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King Diamond was singing along to every single recording of the band, and he was very focused each time. This might again have to do with the unorthodox musicianship of the band: Unlike most musicians I used to work with, they were reluctant to separate vocals and music, since they all needed each other to grasp the quite complex arrangements of the songs, including the breaks and tempo shifts. For the same reason, Diamond had been placed in a separate vocal area so we could capture his vocals without any sound bleed from the instruments. He could sing for hours without getting tired, and without slackening his intonation or timbre. We actually ended up using some of those recordings in the final mix, because his timing along with the band was excellent.

The book is recommendable, especially the first parts, although the author's focus on queer theory in the last two chapters is somewhat far-fetched.

[fogus]

I listened to King Diamond on and off throughout my life but you had better believe that I had his music on loop the day that I read Cardin's post.

[xylokopos]

Wouldn't it be phenomenal to one day be treated to a proper professional/studio animation of one of King's albums?

Maybe, a stop-motion animation treatment by the Brothers Quay?

We dream and hope and wait.

KING DIAMOND - ABIGAIL | Animated | 35th Anniversary | - YouTube

[matt cardin]

I agree. And funny that you would post that Abigail animation, as I only discovered it and watched it myself two weeks ago. Not bad, all things considered. But yes, a high-end animation of a King Diamond album would be something behold. In addition to the Brothers Quay, I can't help wondering what Bakshi could do with it.