5 Killer Riffs - King Diamond

[@GeneWillowMusic]

1:57 Halloween 3:15 Abigail 5:20 The Family Ghost 6:44 Welcome Home 7:52 At the Graves

[@Dan27105]

Halloween written by Michael Denner :)

[@tommilindfors]

Andy LaRocque is probably the most underrated metal guitarist ever! Andy's solos are so recognisable and they are pure excellence!

[@samunden]

Agree. Very melodic and thought out plus his use of the whammy bar is unparalleled. Love those flutters he tosses in occasionally!

[@greekfreak1980]

Andy LaRocque,Criss Oliva,Wolf Hoffmann,Nuno Bettencourt and Richie Kotzen belong in the "Underrated Monster-Players" Club.

[@paulimdone7381]

Andy has been my hero since I first heard the album Abigail in 88

[@petercarlson811]

Not to mention Mike Weed

[@jonhmonroney12]

No hes not from where Im sitting hes not underrated by me. Justin Beiber and katy Perry fanboys yes but not in the metal community. The saying underrated really needs to cease. Its sounds like driveling rhetoric by those who say it in a feeble attempt to contribute to a thread with a lack of any descriptors beyond the word underrated. It actually shines a huge on you and says hey im super douchenozzle trying to sound like an intellectual expert on music older than yourself probably. Makes me wanna hurl to hear such wankisms

[@tylerstewart7709]

Michael Denner is also crazy underrated. He & Hank Shermann are one of the best duos out there. Him and Larocque crafted a masterpiece in Abigail

[@LeonTodd]

Just a reminder everyone, I'm just here to share my love for what I consider great music. I'm not claiming to be an expert in the minutiae of a band's history or how parts are played 100% correctly. If you'd like to weigh in on the conversation, please do so respectfully. Don't be a dick.

[@musicfeedsthesoultg5318]

Leon Todd well put sir! You know all the KZbin know-it-alls out there can get a little nasty with the criticism

[@headkickko609]

Leon do you need a troll gun. I still have my good, old Troll-annihilator S50 laying around somewhere 🔫 😂

[@boblathim7424]

Hey Leon I noticed You are quite fond of the Boss GX-100 but....will it Andy Larocque?!

[@joecjoe3783]

The solos on "Them" are insane.

[@acdcking1234]

sprdthrdr1 Joe that is his best album

[@peppermintcatsass3141]

...did you catch the them tour? Memory I will relive till death!

[@kcjacobs8399]

Those riffs are literally otherworldly.

[@embracerodusk2537]

Agreed. Them & Rust In Peace from Megadeth I've always felt were the pinnacle of that dual guitar attack style. Insane solos left & right.

[@davidaraujo927]

Yeah, man! It was like they were trying to outdo each other! I'm sure it was all in my head but I could sense a bit of 'competition' at those sessions... Too bad there's no 'making of' of the Them album

[@EarthisnotforSale]

Andy's work with Death is incredible, my fav is his solo on Trapped in a Corner

[@nunomoure197]

And the solo on Cold, in the seminal At the Gates album, slaughter of the soul

[@davidaraujo927]

The partnership between Andy and Pete on the 'them' album is magic! Probably my favourite dual guitar metal album!

[@InternalTranquillity]

My sentiments exactly 🙂

[@mindcrime11]

In the early eighties Andy was working in a guitar store in Gothenburg Sweden. I was alone with him and he brought me in to the listening room and plugged in to an amp and started shredding. After 5-10 minutes people started gathering. He handed the guitar to me and said "Now it's your turn!" Everyone looked at me. "-Maybe another time...hrrm"

[@blazeandcyrus]

Andy LaRocque is one of my favorite and yet so underrated. His sound was so distinct and clear, a guitar master. Thanks for the cool video, now I'm off the binge on some King Diamond.

[@Torgo1969]

Are you going to see him on this tour?

[@blazeandcyrus]

@@Torgo1969 .no they aren't coming near me

[@Torgo1969]

@@blazeandcyrus My condolences. But I predict there will be at least another leg of the tour in support of the as-yet-unreleased album, so you'll see them then! I saw KD 2 days ago in Detroit, and in any case I have a hard time keeping the Songs For The Dead concert CD out of my car's player!

[@Dan27105]

Halloween written by Michael Denner :)

[@KillChain996]

Such underrated musicians. Great songs... Omens, Arrival, Sleepless Nights, 7th day of july 1777, Invisible guests...

[@jessejensen9041]

"Magic" from The Puppet Master album... My favorite riff!!

[@fistoftulkas7335]

The playing on The Eye is awesome, The Trial alone has a mixture of riffs and solos that's perfect.

[@LeonTodd]

The Eye came so close to making it on this list!

[@Torgo1969]

I discovered The Eye a few weeks ago and it's been living in my car's CD player ever since! Very emotionally moving songs once you understand the lyrics and the characters. And as far as The Trial goes, my cat Eddie

[@thetakenking7061]

Andy has been my favorite metal guitarist since I first heard him 30 years ago. Finally got a chance to see King Diamond this weekend. It was incredible.

[@LeonTodd]

I'd love to see them one day, so glad to hear it was a great show

[@csrboltfan2643]

Criss Oliva was a KILLER guitar player, and very underrated. RIP Criss. We STILL miss you.

[@irmasil3]

Andy is great, BUT I can't get "Is that you Melissa?" out of my head for the last 35 years or so....Shermann kills that one!!

[@subhuman7780]

The song "Is that you Melissa?" was released just 26 years ago. Probably you mean "Melissa"

[@irmasil3]

@@subhuman7780 lol..typo! Its was supposed to be 25 years ago. I had the "cassette" tape around a year after release, as it usually required around a year to get it to the market in my homeland... "Oh, Melissaaaaa....you're in my dreams...." :)

[@jasonstewart2590]

Pete Blakk was a great guitarist for King Diamond too! Great riffs btw 🤘

[@hvitekristesdod]

The bridge in Sleepless Nights gets me every time...

[@scottdunn2178]

Next to Randy Rhoads, Andy has always been my favorite guitarist. I love his tone, and vibrato. My 3 favorite Andy solos; *Sleepless Nights *July 7, 1777 *Victimized

[@kyleisreal_tv]

I remember my first King Diamond album was The Eye. I swear I jammed that half a year and had no idea Them or Abigail even existed tell like a year later when I was in a record store messing around. Turns out I walked out with 2 more King Diamond albums and jesus if I remember right I took the Album them to my drum teacher and asked him to Teach me Welcome Home on drums and he laughed in my face. And said you are not ready for this lmao. Spent like 1 year on that song and every time I hear that guitar riff hit I air drum laughs

[@KISSFAN1970]

Fatal Portrait and Abigail are both masterpieces.

[@TheTillhammer]

I live in the same town as Andy. Fantastic guitar player, producer and really nice guy. Abigail is such a haunting riff

[@jonhmonroney12]

Underrated only because bubble gum band lovers arent listening to.MF or.KD Abigail is.one of the best albums.ever

[@Torgo1969]

Abigail was what got me into KD, but I have discovered just how good The Eye is lately!

[@nicolasreny221]

Bubble gum band?

[@greysantacruzsanchez7766]

Mr. Andy LaRocque is so underrated guitarrist. He is a master. The brain of King Diamond music. From the Conspiracy album, "Sleepless Nights", my favorite riff of the band. Thanks for your videos Leon.

[@pdooley730]

Love to hear props for Cris Oliva and Andy laroque you are right 2 of the most under rated guitar players of all time!

[@roberthagmaier9603]

Family Ghost is one of my favorite King Diamond songs.

[@Torgo1969]

Yes. A crap video but a great song.

[@roberthagmaier9603]

@@Torgo1969 Yea the video is pretty cheesey LOL.

[@Torgo1969]

@@roberthagmaier9603 And that's an understatement, IMHO. I saw King again in Detroit a few days ago. Hope you can see him this time around.

[@chriswalden798]

Thanks for sharing Leon. Those are some pretty classic riffs and brings back some memories. Andy's rather melodic and flamboyant, killer lead playing however always stood out to me the most. I remember hearing his crazy whammy trills for the first time and his placement of those to further embellish his technical yet melodic shreds was just eargasmic. His style is quite distinguishable to me.

[@NolanVoid]

Just saw King Diamond a couple nights ago and the entire band put on a KILLER show, also had the chance to meet them and ALL the guys are TOTALLY down to earth.

[@ligamentpull1]

Andy Laroque is by far one of the most underrated players to come out of the 80's Era. His Riffs, Solo's, and harmonies are briliant.

[@franrukavina6034]

This could easily be just 5 riffs from arrival and a mansion in darkness which is my fav record introduction ever

[@diemturner5755]

Right on bruv, throwing KD some love gets my sub :-) Andy LaRoque is a criminally underrated guitarrist. For my money "Them" and "Conspiracy" are their best work in all respects; storyline, guitar riffage/solos, I just never grow tired of them. Cheers for the content Leon!

[@omarhagag8252]

Thanks for reminding me of such a great band! They're often forgotten for some reason.

[@wayney.387]

I love King diamond grew up listening to them and yes the tone is great, I'm ordering mine either tomorrow or next weekend. Thanks again Leon

[@rztricky]

My man! Can’t wait to dig into this tnt. Looking forward to your Metaltronix patch!

[@stefanvanbiljon4354]

Wonderful videos Leon! Keep them coming man!

[@caljerm]

SO many killer KD riffs, picking just 5 is pretty much impossible - maybe 50 😁

[@scottdahlberg4890]

Thank you for doing this, King's band is so underrated it is not even funny. Andy and Pete are Gods.

[@larsbonnet17]

Listen, man. They’re not underrated at all. People who listen to King Diamond do know who the guys are and I find it difficult to believe they would say the players are nothing but really good or excellent. Not well known to masses is a much better expression than underrated.

[@2550marshall]

Oh yeah! King Diamond! Tightest band ever and absolutely, Andy La Roque is underrated. Steven King should have had King Diamond do every score for all his movies.

[@charlesolinger6250]

Kinda funny to think Steven King and King Diamond both released book and music cd called The Institute

[@derekjaeger5592]

Great upload Leon! Solid background and good play.

[@chadhenry5128]

Them blew my mind back in the day! I still love playing those songs.

[@LETITBURN999]

Your best episode ever Andy is for real, undisputibly the best ever creative talent ever!! SAVATAGE CRIMINALY UNDERATED!!

[@Fr33dom35]

Damn dude, you got some PhD on Savatage and King Diamod,huh? Respect.

[@vlcervo7371]

If you want some killer riffs from Andy La Rocque, try Mother's Getting Weaker, from "Them".

[@richardeade3766]

Friggin awesome, I've been waiting for someone to do this. Thanks

[@marc1976100]

Great work as a great remember too of both Andy Laroque and Criss Oliva(RIP), two of my favorites of all time. The riff of Mother's Getting Weaker, from "Them" album, its another exemple of that genious mind.

[@Jonathan_Brose]

King Diamond (band) provides an avalanche of badass riffs. Greetings from Brazil!

[@poulwinther]

Had no idea you were into the King! Just awesome, so much killer stuff. Respect man!

[@stephaneaudet]

Yes Leon , i love King Diamond all time.

[@Lizard-of-Oz]

I had a friend in LA back in 1988. He had, and I am sure still has a good cassette collection of King Diamond. I was more into Maiden so I didn’t pay too much attention to other bands that they were new to me. Listening to these riffs here by you, and now knowing, not deep, but some Merciful Faith and King Diamond, I missed greatness!!! So complex but well done guitar riffs by many bands from back in the day. Andy LaRoque it’s very underrated, the amazing thing is that he was self thought in guitar mentioned at this interview with A&P-REACTS. Thank for this demonstration, it’s really enjoyable!

[@Savatanica]

Nice vid again.I appriciate your efforts about underrated musicians.You are obviously talented and have a good taste of music.

[@Yupppi]

Abigail sounds like an alternative version of early Testament, very cool! LaRocque also had pretty killer leads. Like on the more recent album The Puppet Master there was Magic, which has just jaw dropping solos. Also learned only last week that LaRocque used/uses Lee Jackson GP-1000. The same preamp the recently passed Laiho from Bodom made stupidly expensive (in the early 2000's you could get one for like $150, now people are asking +600). Very unique sounding amp, many title it as an awful piece of garbage, but in the right setting it has this beautiful sweet lead tone that you just can't stop playing. Every note is very powerful if you want it to sing and pierce through with a ton of power, screaming for mercy. You're probably aware of that 80's preamp as well, being a Zakk and 80's fan after all and knowing Michael Nielsen. A weird one with two big different versions, and the whole lifetime seemed to have the small changes to component values with only a late version seemingly being what metal guys wanted. But seriously fun one. Probably a lot of guys also hated it because they played it at home, noodling without any backing, because it certainly doesn't pack a big punch in the bass (and a lot of people liking V30 over say T-75). Many used something like SD-1 or Jackson active guitar electronics to boost it and I think Lee Jackson himself recommended something like enhancer/expander whatever unit in conjuction with it.

[@rickfeith6372]

We were talking about how crminally underrated Andy is a couple months ago. I mentioned I had The Eye on permanent play in my car for a whole summer delivering pizza. Just chocked full of killer dark riffs, lots of whole half diminished flavor and stacked minor 3rd evilness to make for a good Halloween jam. Great tone too.

[@poulx]

King Diamond wrote Abigail and most of the songs on the record .Check out the credit's list. Later on Andy contributed a whole unforgettable lot more. Love that band. Love your videos - passion, dude!

[@josephfranks1685]

Dude!! You just made me even much more of a fan of u for this video \m/ Going to see The King in Atlanta Monday for my second time, Andy will always be my favorite guitarist, been a fan of King and Mercyful fate since I first heard the Graveyard in the 90s, keep it up man and thank u, pumped for show!!

[@barry3045]

Great video Leon . You're a true metalhead \m/

[@krushgroovin7513]

“Let me help you, out of the chair Wicked Grandma!” This is the 2nd time I wrote this comment, so if you see two & they’re both slightly different I apologize!! EDIT: Sorry everyone! I meant the “Conspiracy” album & the song “Sleepless Nights” just in case anyone reads this. After 30 years I’m sure most would know it was a fast writing mistake!? Cheers I was actually playing & jamming to Welcome Home last night & then missed this vid! In 1989 my new friend just started collecting CD’s for XMAS as he knew he was getting his first new CD player. He decided to give me a few tapes & one ended up being Sleepless Nights, which I literally still play to this day on my 20 year old Beat Box lol. LSS the track song to the album is one of my top 10 all time faves in all genres of music!!! Great 👍🏼 vid and sorry if I wrote it twice. I’m not a ❤️ junky lolol Thanks again Cheers

[@LeonTodd]

That's what true friends do

[@krushgroovin7513]

Leon Todd Absolutely my friend! And Thanks for the vid! It was so cool I was jamming to Welcome Home then saw this!! And I’m so sorry! Having to re-write my LONG comment, forgetting to hit send getting a call while writing my comment , I accidentally wrote It was the title track & I’m sure you know it was from “Conspiracy!” Thanks n’ Cheers

Man, amazing video!!! Andy is really an awesome guitar player and, created a lot of killer riffs!!!

[@LeonTodd]

Thankyou!

[@notofthisgod32]

Andy is great but outside of Conspiracy King writes all the guitar parts

[@MatthiasBuesing]

Long live the king! \m/ Great killer riffs, Leon!

[@pickboy7]

Love Andy’s playing,huge influence!!

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah, he's an absolute monster!

[@RezaKhan2024]

Merciful Fate and King Diamond fan here. They are so underrated. Thanks for recognizing them. Is That Axe Fx Leon ?

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah they wrote some epic tunes. Yeah this is the Axe

[@Thee.Instigator]

Leon Todd gonna post preset on axechange??

[@RezaKhan2024]

@@johnny-qb1ti No Brother, Bangladesh.

[@lesterksi4521]

I didn't expect that from Leon. Wow! Cool!

[@skubadoobie]

Sleepless nights is my jam, love that solo and love Andy’s playing, thanks for the vid

[@af7904]

"Mansion in darkness" is the greatest King's song with the best melody.

[@Tragardh71]

Stopped by because Ola had a print screen from your channel in his latest FAQ. Now I see you playing King Diamond, and I hit subscribe ofc. I have spent a significant amount of hours in my teens listening to "Them" and "Abigail".

[@LeonTodd]

Welcome! Likewise, KD made my teens a far more bearable experience.

[@lightninginmyhands4878]

Such a great lesson. Thank you

[@jamesnoble2753]

Fantastic band.You nailed it.

[@mountain7777]

Killer tone Leon Todd!

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks mate!!

[@ioeee7563]

I really love the part after "There's no more to tell..." (The Meetings, album: "The Eye" (1990)

[@rifflibrary8681]

This was some amazing playing, I love the tone too. What amp model are you using on this? Sounds amazing, keep up the good work

[@LeonTodd]

The good old USA C++ in the Axe-Fx III

[@talesfromthetoiletseat8295]

I’m not big into a lot of dark themes they use but you gotta admit that King Diamond is a tight ass heavy band man. Riffs galore. Great stuff. RIP Timi Also do you live in a guitar store or something? Lol Cool vid subscribed!

[@LeopardBull5trik3]

Awesome video Leon. I'd love for you to do a 5 Killer riffs video on Accept. Wolf Hoffmann is a phenomenal metal guitarist and has a plethora of Metal Riffs!

[@LeonTodd]

Great idea!!!

[@Torgo1969]

Good work. I saw King a few days ago in Detroit and he's still magnificent!

[@scottsguitarlessonsblacksa9648]

Abigail and Them are King Diamonds best. Still Love Mercyful Fate! They got me into Metal

[@rvfiasco]

Right on, Brother! I happen to enjoy Andy's guitar work on The Eye. I most certainly think he is a vastly underrated guitarist.

[@Cerusicus26]

Andy is one of The most underrated guitarist

[@Edwa72]

Just got into KD about two weeks ago... I’m 39 and have loved metal since I’m 14. Took a while but man do I love KD now. Just bought Abigail on Vinyl today :)

[@LeonTodd]

Such a good album, that's going to be a trip on vinyl!!

[@ecgodsmack86]

Great justice on the playing bro

[@meanjoe4299]

I love all the king diamond albums. Andy is amazing

[@adriantorres3303]

Been my favorite band for over thirty years now. Andy I way under rated as is the whole band. Nothing but genius.

[@jonathanvitzoreck5961]

Agora faz um vídeo com solos de algumas músicas do king diamond...Abraço e obrigado pelo vídeo

[@tythealkemist9856]

I was waiting for you to hit At the Graves. Like his best song in my opinion. You know your stuff you played really well. Good shit!

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Great video. Love the V and the riffage. You be the man. 😉👍💝👍🎸👍🎸👍

[@salamwati9281]

What a great vid bro...watching you go through these classic chords is a thrill..me myself can never play guitar & very much envy most of these metal guitarists. 🤗a big like.

[@lyubomirdzhumbishliev985]

And never forget Omens. Guitars riff and the drum beat together build that umatched groove in metal music.

[@pwnEdge1]

That was great Leon . I couldn't stop seeing how big the dean head stock was ,like a mini flying V at the other end . :-). Ok maybe the gummies and a drink had something to do with it yeeeahh

[@juanrogelrodriguez8285]

King diamond "Just a Shadow" - King diamond "At the graves" - King diamond "A visit from the dead" - King diamond "The exorcist" .King diamond"Magic"

[@jefflotley1248]

Ok you’re covering King Diamond? I love this channel now

[@davidg8626]

Love King Diamond. Been a fan since 1984. Looking forward to seeing him Nov.27th in Vancouver.

[@seagullpoet]

These guitar riffs - are abnormal. Yet totally fascinating.

[@benrechakiewicz3594]

Thats cool I don't think I've seen a breakdown of King Diamonds stuff before great guitar playing.🤘

[@samunden]

Hail to the King, baby!

[@garysoutham8746]

Hi Leon , wow i love the sound of that guitar.You played them flawlessly. Great riffs from one of the masters of heavy metal guitar playing for sure.I am a metal head from back in the 80's and listened to these guys as well as Savatage , Helloween and Judas Priest among others. I play a double stack Carvin with a Hughes & Kettner 100w head. I love your videos and have learned tons from you. Thank you. ROCK ON \m/

[@st3voguitarist]

Love King Diamond Stuff!

[@wormfost5578]

Anything off of the album “The Eye” was incredible. I’ll be a ninja cause I am in fact a ninja and that’s my thing. What are you going to be?

[@stevenmgyori3826]

" Pretty Cool!" Great Tones and Well done Brother! Thanks for Sharing, Be Well Leon!

[@IamTheDustDevil]

That wicked laughter of his is my favorite "Riff" from King Diamond...Musically top of the list is " Cremation"..."into the unknown" ...The Uninvited guest...VooDoo w/dimebags lead playing... The Puppet Master & Give Me your Soul...the list goes on & on & on...ect...!!! Cheers

[@KokoRengifo]

very nice Leon great play

[@TheTulioChannel]

That's some interesting stuff for guy listening for modern metal, thank you very much ^^

[@elimarsilvanikock7818]

Tim Feelament totally agree!!!!!!!

[@csaenz14]

Killer tone🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@kevinsparks8302]

Yeah whats the setup for gear in this video? Sounds awesome

[@elimarsilvanikock7818]

king diamond band past and present had amazing musicians!!!!!!!

[@rsegura7597]

KING definitely has had some of the best talents ever.