King Diamond: Why You MUST Know THIS Andy LaRocque Guitar Solo

[@AnthonyWabo]

Andy is one of the most exquisite and unique guitar players! Real ones know what’s up!

[@rogercastilho19]

Andy LaRocque is so underrated. He's one of the best.

[@LuisMiguelCostaVideos]

I was lucky enough to see King Diamond opening up for Motörhead, in Washington, D.C., back in 1987. Greetings from your number one Portuguese admirer!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Wow! That must have been quite a night!!! 😃🤘

[@LuisMiguelCostaVideos]

@@LicksOfTheBeast I was with Lemmy Killmister that night, Nico! Asked hom for an autograph. He Said he would give it me after the show. Did you see him afterwards? I didnt... But no one will ever wipe that memory off my Portuguese Heavy Metal Mind! Regards

[@JD-vj4go]

Cool thanks man. Andy is my favorite player.

[@felipepacheco7655]

King diamond is SO DAMN GOOD!! And Andy is a huge part of it being that good. also.... INDIVIDUAL THOUGHT PATTERNS

[@daroblackheart383]

Andy is one of my favorite guitar players ever. Love his work with KD and Death (Individual Thought Patterns rules). I hope for another Your videos with LaRocque's work in the future. Great job!

[@danbal4185]

Individual Thought Patterns is such a masterpiece! Too bad that he didn't also tour with them. He also played an excellent guest solo on the beautiful At The Gates song "Cold" in 1995.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you! I definitely will do more in the future. There is so much to learn from studying Andy's work!

[@ooo_Kim_Chi_ooo]

Andy is one of my favorites!

[@lecokase]

stuning intro attack for a video🫵👍😘

[@jiantjingerjohn]

Love Andy LaRocque 😊

[@JonasHornqvistmusic]

Andy LaRocque is a beast!

[@ChristopherAalto]

Andy is an incredible guitar player and his style is one of a kind its just brilliant I cant put words to describe it he's playing is just brilliant

[@ln8300]

All King Diamond discography and band is incredible. Same as mercyful fate.overkill amazing band

[@edgarfriendly7571]

Man, "Them" is such an killer album! Absolutely love the kick and snare drum sound.

[@CounterflowEntropy]

King Diamond is one of my favorite bands along with Iron Maiden and Helloween and Gamma Ray. Andy is probably my favorite guitarist. Them was the first album that I heard from them in 1992, it is very organic, fresh, not forced, sounds evil and powerful, all the solos are cool. From ’86 until Graveyard there were no bad albums, then there were worse ones - Spiders, Voodoo, House, Abigail 2. But the last two - Puppet and Give me, I think are some of the best of King’s entire career and I also consider all the solos from these albums to be the best from Andy and Mike throughout King's career. (IMHO)

[@69spiros]

Andy the RIFFMASTER....

[@justsomedude5727]

What I love about Andy Laroques playing is how he uses the floyd rose in such a musical and precise way.

[@cbr9914]

right? his trem work is glorious

[@mathias6423]

Anyone can benefit from a Floyd Rose and play/do pretty cool things with it, but it takes a champ to be able to play it like an art-piece like Andy =)

[@mathias6423]

@@cbr9914 agreed!

[@_Mr.Plankton_]

Thanks for the great solo analysis. I think Andy La Rocque is one of the top 5 greatest guitarists of all time.

[@teamzero9465]

I can’t get enough! Watched it again. If I could like this video more than once I’d certainly do it. You nailed it Nico. So thankful for your program and you taking the time to share and explain the videos. I will be attending the show in Chicago and Milwaukee and hopefully see you and get the chance to meet you. 🤘🏻💪🏼

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thanks a ton!! 🙏🤘Really glad to know you enjoyed it so much

[@ReubensLair]

Andy has been an influence on me since being bown away by Them back in high school. Hes always shown just the right amount of flash but with always super catchy meoldy lines and original note choices. The last diamond album was no exception. Hes still got it!!! Thx for video

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

Andy is absolutely underrated! Finally he’s shown more love!

[@symbolic1884]

Great job, Niko! Andy’s my favourite guitar player. I would love to see a breakdown on his solo from “Lies” off of the Conspiracy album. That solo is another great example of Andy’s unique melodic phrasing and technical command. Cheers!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Good one!

[@marct138]

Nice! Andy LaRocque solos. Love King Diamond and Andy. Hope you cover more of them.

[@DesolateJK]

Thanks for this breakdown.. never been much of a lead player or a guy who worships shredders.. Andy LaRocque is one of my favorite players

[@RattleheadRik]

Andy is probably my favorite guitar player. An interesting mix of heaviness, melody and otherworldly darkness. Awesome video. I’m also going to the show in Brooklyn, super excited! I also actually saw him tour the Them album back in 1988 with Flotsam and Jetsam!

[@bartvools2314]

Wow. Spot on, one of my absolute favourite players/solo’s. Awesome video. I saw them twice at Graspop. Impeccable playing/sound/show on both occasions. Both Andy and Mike are sensational live. Really hope to see them at an European tour.

[@cbr9914]

YES! i LOVE andy larocque. his phrasing is sublime, and his trem work is spine chilling. my fave larocque solo is the one at the end of haunted.

[@bghammock]

Many moons ago I couldn't stand King Diamond. I didn't like King's falsetto singing and because of that I never gave the music a shot. Fast forward to when I was older and wiser, I decided that it was time to give his catalog a fair shake because, hey, my vocal tastes have broadened over time! Oh the magnificent guitar work by Andy I missed out on! I've since made up for lost time and have done the appropriate penances. And King's vocals fit the music so perfectly. Dunno what I was thinking.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

It's fun to go back and rediscover bands (and even movies) you didn't ever give a chance back then. 🙂

[@tymanngruter1808]

Now this is playing guitar, Andy is the King Kong off metal, played well! Respect 🎯

[@Mrs.Foster1719]

Excellent video Nico! Super enjoyable and fantastic song choice to showcase. Your clear and concise explanations on your channel really are just the best! I can't wait for the tour either, seeing them a few times in November! Love LaRocque's playing. His instrumentals too like Insanity from The Eye are beautiful and so underappreciated!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Much much appreciated! Thank you! You're traveling to different cities to catch multiple shows?

[@Mrs.Foster1719]

Yes my husband and I are seeing him in a few different cities! Hope you enjoy the show in November! 🤘

[@joepops5186]

my favorite is the breakdown riff in "Bye Bye Missy" i would love to see you dig into that song

[@constpegasus]

This is a special video for me. Andy ranks in my top three favorite guitarists 🎉

[@mmustikkam]

Excellent comment about the solos as songs within songs. I really think that applies to Pete Blakk’s solos as well. “Them”, Conspiracy and The Eye - awesome stuff. Abigail too, though with M. Denner on the second guitar. Six-string storytelling at its best!!

[@dhmig88]

Don’t forget Pete Blakk on those albums, his playing is really good also and complemented Andy’s style.🎸

[@jacktheknife2004]

superb :)

[@desross2002]

Super video encore une fois Nico

[@starfall631]

We need Edge of thorns solo Nico, ASAP. Please, you're the only one i trust to teach me that masterpiece.

[@brocktranz]

More Andy! This is awesome man!

[@TodayTomorrowMusick]

Andy LaRocque is my master 💪❤

[@Frank-YYZ]

Them, what an incredible masterpiece ❤

[@woodreauxwoodreaux6298]

Nico, I applaud your choice to articulate your understanding of the pieces you analyze using music-theory terminology. When I initially found your channel, I was just starting to learn guitar and I thought music-theory was a pseudo-science. Your demonstrations of licks using scales and modes along with the music theory discourse me not only gave me a greater appreciation for the works, but also inspired me learn the theory (which led me to Rick Beato). I can't overstate how much the music theory parts elevate your presentations!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

That's super encouraging, thank you!!

[@jeremiah2012]

Amazing! You do do that solo justice! RESPECT

[@Bognerman14]

Andy is amazing!!! Those key changes really impact the listener emotionally.

[@MikoDarkblade]

Yep going to see the show, tickets already bought!! It must be my 6th or 7th show from King/Mercy Do more KD stuff!!

[@MatteoAn93]

How cool is this!!!! Very nice!

[@LuisMiguelCostaVideos]

Hello, Dear Nico. Your Portuguese Number One admirer here. Could you do a video on your life path in music? When did you start playing? What was you first guitar ever? How many bands have you played in? Did you go to music school? Where did you acquire that magnificent background of yours which enlightens/delights us all so much? I am sure we would all love a video like that. You are humble and somewhat shy but could you overcome all that? Thank You. Regards from Lisbon

[@correametal]

I am so happy that KZbin suggested this video to me. Well, you are awesome!! You played and analyzed the solo in a very entertaining and beautiful way! Andy is my all-time favorite guitar player and I had the honor of him playing a guest guitar solo in the opening track of my album. I subscribed to your channel and will be checking your other videos. I will definitely tell Andy about this video, I think he must watch it. Blessings and success for you always!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hey thank you so much for this super nice comment! Really glad to know you enjoyed the video, and it's incredibly cool that you got Andy to play on one of your tracks!! I'll have to check that out 😃🤘 Thank you also for giving this video a shot and for choosing to stick around for more! Cheers 🤜🤛

[@CounterflowEntropy]

I think Andy will be very surprised how he came up with this solo)

[@kili1985]

Andy also ripped brutally and super tasteful on Death's album Individual Thought Patterns. It's an absolute death metal classic, but quite unusual, very jazzy in places with Gene Hoglan on drums and Steve DiGiorgio on bass. In my opinion Deaths best album. Those who don't know this album must give it a try.

[@monkeyon777]

I really hope there’s a full remastering of those early Death albums.

[@Clarkecustomshop]

Always had a high respect for the way these guys captured horror movie vibes within the tunes! Great explanation and expressions! Making me want to pick up my guitar later 🤘

[@MarkEdward-bl6cr]

Saw King on the Conspiracy tour at the Warfield in S.F. one of the best shows I have ever seen it was a who's who in metal in the crowd Kirk Hammet the members of Exodus everybody was there King came up from under the stage in a burning coffin just the best 🤘

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

WOW!!

[@bradpalzkill8667]

Great video, Nico!!! So cool to watch a deep dive into one of my favorite solos by one of my favorite guitar players. Andy is a truly amazing musician. Can’t wait for the tour. Just got my tix for the Kansas City show. 🤘🤘

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

🤘😃 🤘

[@UltraPvnk]

Schuldiner was a fan for a reason. I remember when I bought Them and opening the case to my surprise… a golden disc. What an album!

[@progsterfourier]

Stellar performance and analysis, love these vids

[@timp.9582]

Wow...KING DIAMOND !!!! I wore out my Abigail cassette from repeated listening.

[@ademh3745]

This was great! Play some Mercyful Fate next! Andy is an excellent player for sure but there is something truly magic about the teamwork between Hank Shermann and Michael Denner

[@SpyrosSolda]

I loved Andy's solos from the first notes of dressed in white

[@Music.Argonaut]

Well done Nico! This was truly an Awesome Video !!! I have practically "destroyed" "Them" vinyl because of overListening.... The creepy part you mentioned in your analysis in 5:09 left me in awe everytime I heard the song!!! LaRocque is a true genius ... but so does his "master" the King who thought of most of these great Riffs and Lyrics!

[@lorettahookano6139]

Hope to see some covering of Sherman & Denner

[@teamzero9465]

Andy is phenomenal

[@goncalomartins7933]

Is there anything you can't play? Man this is stop on! Andy is out of this world, and much like Adrian (Smith), Jake E Lee and many others, he is one of my all time favourites. Like you, I still dream of someone capable to pick up on this story and make a hell of a great Horror movie. The only time I was able to catch KD live, was on Hellfest 2016, where they were playing the whole Abigail set, and other selected classics! The show went great and I can't wait for the next opportunity to see them live. As always, GREAT JOB!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Yeah...all the things I don't post 😅🤣 But seriously, thank you so much and let's keep our fingers crossed that it does become a movie someday!! 🤞🤘

[@danbal4185]

The playing and the sound of your covers are perfection! LaRoque is a heavy metal legend. 🤘 Nico, i remember from a comment that you don't really know well The Scorpions legendary guitarist Uli John Roth. Last weekend i've re-listened to all his scorpions albums from '74-'78 and something that i've constantly thought was: man, Nico would go crazy for his playing! If in the future you're looking for something cool and classic to hear...I'm sure that many guitarists and metalheads will tell you the same thing...

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I heard some of his playing recently and it's definitely good stuff! I will definitely have to do a video on his playing in the future. Most probably not until next year, as this year is going quickly and I still have a lot to cover between now and December! 😅

[@danbal4185]

@@LicksOfTheBeast 🤘😎

[@DRN-kt1ql]

Insane, just insane🔥

[@daskatzen4145]

Andy is a monster player for sure! Def a huge influence on me. But it would be a sin to completely forget about the playing that Pete Blakk did on this album too. In fact, I kinda like the solo that Pete played for this song even better than the one that Andy played!

[@timp.9582]

Love Andy's 7th July 77 solo.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

That's a good one too!

[@timp.9582]

@@LicksOfTheBeast you know it bro

[@georgehartman4157]

Awesome video! This solo is Epic. I really like the other solo in this song too. Was the other one by Pete Blakk? I actually found that one to be just as challenging as this one despite sounding like it'd be easier. Both solos are masterpieces but this one takes the cake because of how it transitions into that heavy riff that closes out the song.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Yup, that was Pete on the first solo. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@R.GUITARIST]

Amazing execution!

[@mobiusone3370]

Second solo on "The Invisible Guests" is my favorite solo on Them album.

[@mathias6423]

Andy knows exactly how to play lead and compliment a rhythm-guitarists different rhythm parts and chords that they play without even have to think, he can improvise to anything, he just does not speak the music-theory language that academics talk and discusses, that is at least my take and from what I have come to understand about it. And I know many guitarists that have been "home-schooled" like that , it is not like they do not know anything about music theory, like mentioned in video they have played for so long and with different bands, creating a lot of music and so on. Of course they know music theory, they just do not speak it and have not gone to music school to study it behind a bench, that is what it comes down to I think =)

[@conpapazoglou1377]

Great video !!! Well done !!!

[@stevestrickland0425]

Killer job nailing it !

[@mikeh7251]

They are also touring with Night Demon who are awesome. They have awesome guitarist Armand folks should check out!

[@mathias6423]

Never heard of them, will check out thanks :) PS. I just now put on their top song on Spotify (Screams in the night) and instantly got some Mercyful Fate vibes haha. Good stuff thank you =)

[@diegocollazo4078]

I am not in to King Dimond but Abigail and Them albums there are very clever guitar part and tremendous guitar tone.

[@charlesfarrugia7898]

I don't like King diamond. But the Way you explain it, it's sounds awesome. Exelente guitar playing.

[@mplayer4621]

Yeah King Diamond is just awesome They could make a great horror movie from the story and music

[@DoktorDamage]

Holy frig. You smoked that lead into oblivion. Nice work. What did you use to get that guitar sound?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hahaha thanks a ton! I used the Neural DSP SLO-100X plugin for this one. Actually I've been using it quite a bit the last 6 months or so!

[@wizaxed]

Killer guitar, Nico! Which one is that??

[@CC-qb9sm]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5eXgWVoprWSqaMfeature=shared

[@Clarkecustomshop]

I call it the tomahawk! My take on the classic Tele shape but metal. Check us out @clarkecustomshop

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

There ya go! 😄🤘

[@fratyilmaz7822]

Thank you dude 🤘🤘🎸🎸🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@waynegram8907]

NICO, Does King Diamond often use Tritone Modulation in most of their songs or solo sections? You should do a lesson about King Diamond using Tritone Modulations & mixolydian modes

[@Ragin-Kane]

cool guitar, what is it?

[@Robbie28]

One day, when i get my Man Castle built, its gonna have alot like what you have. Tons if pics of my favorite guitarists on the walls, but i also want to have a wall with guitars (although dont have alot of them) If ya gonna dream, dream big i guess

[@ddmurley]

Wicked

[@shubhampoudel2011]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@whiskey11niner]

Andy is the man, although I’m more a Michael Denner guy

[@michaelsnelling9875]

Both equal .

[@TheCyberMantis]

My favorite King Diamond album. Andy is one of my main influences, but I am nowhere near his level.

[@alekskot9240]

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@tomitoikka367]

Brilliant video, thank you for that 🤘😎👍 King Diamond rules 🤘 My actual favorites are Fatal Portrait, ABIGAIL and The Eye. Them is great but the production sucks 😢

[@michaeljensen8211]

Did i see you in Copenhagen around maj ?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I've never been to Danemark, but I guess I have one of those faces that people feel they've seen before because I get asked stuff like this all the time 😅

[@CC-qb9sm]

🤘🤘🤘

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

My deepest appreciation for your very generous and thoughtful support! 🙏🙏

[@CC-qb9sm]

@@LicksOfTheBeast - You are most welcome! I don’t think I’ve dropped you a super thanks since the perfect solo from George Lynch dropped on the other channel a while back, definitely overdue!

[@bruth6138]

Pretty good but some of those bends I see seem to be quite a bit more drastic that what I am hearing. I'm not accusing of anything but what am I missing?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm not sure what you're referring to but maybe the part at 12:32 helps?

[@GG-iu6xd]

What type of guitar is that?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

This one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5eXgWVoprWSqaM 🙂

[@jimomertz]

Larocque is definitely NOT under appreciated in my book. He’s one of my favorite guitarists. And King Diamond is one of my favorite bands. The whole album Abagail is an absolute masterpiece. I’ve seen them quite a few times anytime they come to the Philly area. The best is when they played the whole Abagail album!

[@MatteoAn93]

I follow tons of youtube guitarists, they never mention him

[@michaelsnelling9875]

I agree with you 100%.

[@tommilitello198]

King plays a lot of guitar on the studio albums.and Andy is definitely a badass,some of the best guitarists around are in bands that aren’t really “mainstream”

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

His fans definitely hold him in very high regard, but his name doesn't come up nearly often enough IMO. It's awesome that you got to see them so often 🙌

[@Brian_Vallejo]

I disagree. Although I hold him in very high regard personally, his name simply does not come up often enough, when he is easily one of the best guitarists in metal.