King Diamond Andy LaRocque Interview- Andy's Top 6 King Diamond Albums & New Album Check in

[@JackMcLeodJr]

King Diamonds concept albums are some of the very best in metal, Andys riff work and melodic phrasing is absolutely phenomenal.

[@stevemtc1]

It’s so highly polished

[@JackMcLeodJr]

@@stevemtc1 One of the most consistent and musically tight guitarists out there too. KD live shows are machine tight

[@zandig666]

Oh ya those slow drag minor leads he does and fluttering are killer !!!!!!

[@MrXatcloud]

Andy Larocque, my favorite guitar player.

[@mitchellbracey5234]

Forgiving the lack of low-end, Them is an extravaganza of guitar prog-metal. The best, IMO.

[@Dokken1975]

This guy has an eerie guitar tone all its own, you know it’s him as soon as you hear him play.

[@correametal]

This interview was excellent! Thank you so much for doing this. Andy is my all time favorite guitar player and composer. I recently had the privilege of Him doing a guest solo on one of my songs....imagine that....having your guitar hero to play a solo in one of your songs! I still think it is all a dream hahaha! Andy in simply THE BEST!!!

[@Watergrovey]

I absolutely love “Voodoo”.

[@kenedie4646]

Andy is a killer guitar player. From this interview, a cool guy, as well. I can't pick a favorite, between Fate and Diamond solo. Everything King does fukking rules!!

[@cynicalsurvivor5804]

The Spider’s Lullaby is the most underrated metal album of the 90s

[@klauswigsmith]

King Diamond fan since 1985 and I *rarely* listen to The Spider's Lullabye. The production is awful (tinny, too much high end, way too much reverb on King's vocals) which is a shame, because some of the songs are actually quite good. (Killer, 6 Feet Under, Poltergeist) but I just can't get past the mini concept on the album. To me those songs are just bad bad bad. "It's really sad for Harry, he finds a spider scary", like, WTF is that? LOL Anyway, I've explained why I don't like it, but as a King Diamond fan for over 35 years, I am open to having my mind changed. What should I key in on next time I listen to that album? I'm willing to give it another chance.

[@evilervcowart6234]

For me personally, Spider's Lullaby was the first King Diamond albums that I felt lukewarm about. It sounds more like a Mercyful Fate type o' vibe to my ears...with its' slightly down tempo, its' more simplistic song structuring, and lyrics that are a bit underwhelming as opposed to its' predecessors in my opinion. King Diamond's first 5 albums are all in the top tier of my all time favorites. Stay heavy and long live the King 🤘

[@Killerklownsfromouterspace]

@@klauswigsmith As a longtime fan of King this is actually a great take on TSL. I agree 110%.

[@todddavis4274]

I think The Puppet Master is a tad over-rated and Voodoo is way under-rated. All King Diamond is killer.IMO. King Diamond forever!

[@evertking1]

@@evilervcowart6234 you nailed it.

[@zandig666]

I love the eye !!!!!! I'm father Picard taking over !!!! 🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟 Love the spiders lullabye I've got no problem with the production however I do have the remaster

[@donmcglothlin841]

I have both TSL stayed in my cassette deck for a very long time before a reissue was a thing In the 90s TSL, The Eye, In the Shadows, Time, Individual Thought Patterns, Symbolic and Sound of Perseverance were the rotation House of God and my discovery of In Flames and Arch Enemy broke that but they still get rotated in

[@darkkrenaissance42]

How could The Puppet Master not be mentioned?? The production quality is insane, the songs incredible and Kings vocals were so amazing. Sounds like they mixed and mastered it for months because I hear new nuances, vocal separations and details every single listen.

[@robnykulaik7337]

Great interview guys!! Andy is so cool....and I think the new King Diamond will be the best album ever. So pumped! ....and I can't wait to hear Deathriders as well!!

[@itsglen9646]

Conspiracy is my favorite KD album too. Fatal Portrait is my second.

[@Torgo1969]

It's a good one, I was beating it to death a few months ago for my commutes.

[@klauswigsmith]

Solid choices. For me it's Abigail and Fatal Portrait.

[@unholyshaman9211]

Abigail and Conspiracy for me also I love The Eye and Fatal Portrait

[@thomasgodlewski1943]

That's one my favorites also.

[@vanealvarez132]

"them" and "conspiracy " for me

[@brucegaskins7188]

Andy is one of my top five favorite guitar players I am in Salt Lake City Utah I always thought King Diamond would do well here they never came I was lucky enough to see the Voodoo tour in Palo Alto California and then in 2014 they finally came to Salt Lake it was a sell-out 2016 they returned can't believe my luck I was on Andy's side of the stage both times now here is the cool part I got one of his picks at both salt lake shows he just toss them in my general direction and I got them one is white and red and one is black and silver my two prized possessions thanks Andy

[@emrage78]

Great interview with a great guitar player! My faves are "The Eye" and "Abigail"

[@Grozeil]

"You know" was the highlight of the interview. Kiddin' apart, Andy is phenomenal. but you already know that 😀

[@MasaM-c2c]

Conspiracy is my second favorite, it's so heavy and King singing very good

[@victorwho744]

Of course Abigail, them and conspiracy are classics as well as many later albums with great songs. But I still love Fatal portrait, it's just so dark sometimes mixed with old school riffs...A little bit of M F mixed with new ideas.

[@scottthompson4193]

I think HOUSE OF GOD is one of the most underrated.

[@1642poltergeist]

Yup

[@heavynov]

Hope it gets a remix/remaster.

[@markpalavosvrahotes5575]

Its my 3rd favorite King Diamond album.

[@jonathonswiney8836]

To me its the best Diamond record hands down. Totally underrated

[@jylauril]

All King Diamond albums are underrated

[@OscuraDaemonia]

Them and Conspiracyfor me, are the best!!!

[@markpalavosvrahotes5575]

They are like a double album just one was released a year later. Number 4 on my all time favorite metal list.

[@johnnybaboon8166]

The spiders lullaby is an awesome record and maybe I’ve only heard the remastered version but I LOVED the production. Songs like To the Morgue imo really bring the life out with possibly some of the heaviest sounding production KD has produced. Would love to hear another album with the same guitar and drum tone

[@sauerkrautoneverything7807]

How do I not find channels like this earlier? KZbin is such crap.

[@therealandrecorbin4050]

Great interview

[@roypersson1754]

Very nice..

[@lilywinter7024]

My 6 faves are. 1. Abigail. 2. Fatal Portrait. 3. Give Me Ur Soul... Please. 4. Abigail 2~ the Revenge. 5. House of God. 6. The Eye or The puppet Master. It Fluxuates.

[@hvitekristesdod]

Abigail II is mightily underrated

[@balrogDCLXVI]

Excellent interview and I was really thrilled to hear Nr.1, and I was not disappointed.:) Andy is a really nice person, but the long haired guy is so annoying with his 2-minutes long questions.

[@brandonleespitler]

The Eye, Abigail, Them, House Of God, Conspiracy, Spider's Lullaby. (Fatal Portrait gets an honorable mention lol) Personally, I love all his records.... but these are my tops.

[@hvitekristesdod]

Spider’s Lullabye is the most underrated metal album of the 90s and one of my all time fave King releases :) 6. Abigail II 5. The Eye 4. The Puppet Master 3. Conspiracy 2. The Spider’s Lullabye 1. Abigail

[@CounterflowEntropy]

Again the same questions, it would be better if he played the guitar, or even so there are no records on the Internet at all. How many stupid questions you can ask him, you would ask how he recorded each song or what difficulties as a guitarist he had, how he composes melodies and the like. What patience he has, I don't understand, to answer the same things 500 times. But I'll still like it, because he is my favorite guitarist, but the questions are stupid)

[@metalmark062]

Mercyful Fate: INTO THE UNKNOWN-IN THE SHADOWS-TIME is one of The Greatest Trifecta albums!!! all Great Songs NO Fillers..I ❤️ KING DIAMOND!!!

[@joshuawoodall6292]

Great interview.really love this band.would love to see Pete blakk rejoin.

[@MrPatrikArvidsson]

If interested; here is a new track produced by Andy La Rocque. Featuring Tony Martin on lead vocals. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5XaiXRmetWLpsU If you have a listen; hope you enjoy it! Cheers!

[@davidqa3990]

Vengan a Argentina Andy

[@dirface]

🔥🔥🔥

[@khanwrong4734]

My first is Them, Abigail, Conspiracy, The Eye, Fatal Portrait, Voodoo, House of God, The Puppet Master, Spider Lullabyes, Abigail ll, Give me Your Souls, The Graveyard.

[@keldfrslev3935]

9 seems more appropriate than 6.

[@donmcglothlin841]

I rank King albums because of how I rate them compared to others There is no bad album My least favorite still ranks with favorites from other bands I enjoy Why I put albums somewhere is because they exist alongside the others and I love it less intensely than others I rank higher I own the complete discography My top 6 is House of God (Andy + Glen solos, the story) The Eye (my intro to the band + so progressive) The Spider’s Lullabye (IDK why I just really love it) Conspiracy (so progressive) Abigail (epic story, and Black Horsemen is my favorite KD song) Fatal Portrait (what an ear worm track after track) Hardest band besides Mercyful Fate to rank

[@donmcglothlin841]

My favorite KD album is House of God, The Eye close second They’re all masterpieces MF my favorite is In the Shadows

[@donmcglothlin841]

Man I’d kill to record or jam with Andy Anybody need a guitarist or fretless bassist? I do both!

[@carvinieri5217]

Spiders and The Eye. The best.

[@jasonbala7858]

Just crazy 😝 thought the new record was done 5 years ago.

[@richbunnell7426]

Yup

[@MichaelHolmgaard]

The Puppet Master deserves more love in my opinion

[@MarkL.71]

Translation is that they basically made little progress on the new album since the lockdown began.

[@janmartinek6647]

if any...unfortunately

[@raduandrei5867]

Guitar University 😊

[@saraivatoledo1842]

" Matt Thompson taking what Mikkey Dee did to another level ??? " HHAHAHAHHA ... Turbin must score some good gear in NY , I mean , hahahah ... a statement such as that is on " another level " ... for sure 😂 .

[@lilywinter7024]

I love the spider's lullaby album

[@richbunnell7426]

How about this, let's talk about the future instead of the past. When is a new album coming out? Also, "you guys are such a team". Yeah, we all do nothing in the studio together as a team.

[@PakleniVuk]

I think new album will came in this days. They did something on KD-theme channel here on YT and restarted views on some videos on zero. They do something. We will found out that soon .

[@lilywinter7024]

House of God is definitely one of his best albums

[@MasaM-c2c]

Somehow i don't think i could buy the new album, i didn't liked so much, give me your soul please, but i do like it old albums, i own them all cds and LPs both versions, Mercyful fate's 9 i didn't liked either

[@MasaM-c2c]

House of god isn't best but it's better than give me your soul please, my favorite King Diamond album is, fatal portrait and my favorite Mercyful fate album is, it's kind of hard but Melissa

[@tims6141]

A hardcore fan since 1993. I get the health issues and becoming a father. This wait is truly disappointing. Bands are putting out records or at least completing records like crazy right now…also announcing tours. Makes you wonder what the reason truly is. King is under contract for 2 KD albums and 1 MF album. I can see these last 3 albums being the end of a career. I truly hope they do not disappoint.

[@joeboo2897]

Andy and King often talk about recapturing that 'old' sound they had on the first 4 albums so perhaps that is where the roadblock is. I don't think it's possible because that music was the result of a special combination of musicians and several of them have left the band. Also no offense but I don't think Andy or King should be the ones to produce/mix/master because it's not their strength, but that is of secondary importance. Andy is on the right track when he talks about good 'live' drums being so important, but I heard him say Matt Thompson is a phenomenal drummer (which he is) but that "they can tell him what they are looking for and he gets it". To me this is the wrong approach and I doubt they had to tell Mikkey Dee much of anything. They probably just let him play what he wanted and it just clicked. Maybe I'm wrong or reading too much into that comment, but I have heard album after album from King Diamond and Mercyful Fate (all of them) and none of it touches what they did in the 80s when the creative and recording pace was fast, the musicians each brought their own voice and it all worked beautifully. Mikkey Dee, Michael Denner and Timmy G Hansen were such a huge part of the Abigail sound and the production on Abigail is something they never came close to again, Conspiracy would be the closest in that regard. The production on 'Them' was terrible but the composing and playing were brilliant. Anyway I hope they can get it together it just seems like the odds are against it if theykeep doing what they have been doing for the last 20 plus years. It's too late to get Timmy Hansen back but King should be on the phone right now with Mikkey Dee and Michael Denner and booking studio time in the same place they recorded Abigail if it still exists and at the very least try to bring back as many of the people who were involved in the original production of Abigail as possible. Then let everyone breath instead of being their boss. Just get a rough framework for the songs and let the players all add their own voice to it, I mean their own style and their own creativity. Try to go back into that same state of mind they were all in back in 1986/1987 and just let it happen organically. Don't just let it be King and Andy writing stuff that they think sounds like the old material, because it won't if it's only coming from them. i get that King and Andy may be the main songwriters but it's extremely obvious those other members contributed and changed the writing process because once they were gone so was that magic. if you really want to capture that old Abigail sound it's going to take more than just thinking real hard and taking over a decade to write. That's not how Abigail was done. Do it right or don't do it at all.

[@rudyrosasjl]

Despite the lack of bottom end, I think "Them" is still a great sounding album.

[@MasaM-c2c]

Abigail is good but not quite my favorite, it's kind of difficult album for me, the eye is pearl it's little bit overrated but damn good story but i don't know not best performace somehow maybe some boring

[@MrStarfalleyes]

cool interview, but jesus christ!! if i got a dollar for all the times Andy says "you know" i would be a millionaire...

[@MasaM-c2c]

Them is good also but in has disturbing drum sound, i don't like it so much, nothing perfect it's not, sound some unfinised especially drum sound