King Diamond Prepares to Unleash a Trilogy of Terror: New Album Details Emerge
Get ready, metalheads! The legendary King Diamond is gearing up to unleash a new album, and it's shaping up to be an epic undertaking. After a significant wait, details are emerging about the long-anticipated release, titled 'St. Lucifer's Hospital 1920,' which is planned as the first part of a terrifying trilogy. Let's delve into what we know so far.
In a recent interview featured in Fistful Of Metal magazine, King Diamond himself provided juicy updates, confirming song titles like "Lobotomy", "The Institute", "The Nun", "Faceless", and "Spider Lilly." He emphasized his commitment to ensuring this is his best work yet. "I just want to make sure that it's the best material I've ever released," he stated. The recording lineup remains consistent, featuring longtime collaborators Andy La Rocque and Mike Wead on guitars.
Andy La Rocque, in a separate interview with Guitar World, elaborated on the sonic direction of the new material. He revealed a conscious effort to recapture the "organic sound" of early King Diamond albums like 'Fatal Portrait' and 'Abigail'. La Rocque explained, "It's mainly to get that organic sound back, where everything doesn’t have to be… placed perfectly in time, or even in pitch. There's got to be some rock 'n' roll to it... We wanted to make an album where it’s a little bit more alive, like it was in the Eighties."
The band offered a taste of the new album during their 2024 North American tour, debuting "Spider Lilly" and "Electro Therapy". "Spider Lilly" even received a chilling music video, directed by My Good Eye Visuals, filmed in part at the haunted Pennhurst Asylum.
Adding another layer of excitement, La Rocque mentioned the possibility of a track with a "monster chorus" featuring a choir, indicating a grandiose scope for the album. He also addressed his guitar playing style, noting a shift away from pure speed towards a more melodic and structured approach. "Back then you thought you had to compete with all the other guys... Over the years, though, you start to feel more relaxed and confident with everything. It doesn’t have to be 120mph," he said.
King Diamond's journey hasn't been without its challenges. The singer reflected on his health complications in 2010, including a triple bypass surgery, acknowledging he "nearly died three times." This experience undoubtedly shaped his perspective and perhaps fueled his creative fire for this upcoming trilogy.
With recording underway and a European festival tour planned, 'St. Lucifer's Hospital 1920' is steadily moving closer to release. Are you excited for the horrors that King Diamond has in store? What are your expectations for this new chapter in the band's history?
Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!