Artist: King Diamond Title: “The Spider’s Lullabye” (deluxe edition) Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: 11/27/2015 Genre: Heavy Metal Rating: 3.5/5
The 2014 return to full touring activity by the great King Diamond has found not only scores of his appearances breaking venue records in attendance but also a growing number of new fans to his musical body of work. In 1995 he offered up his first album on Metal Blade Records with “The Spider’s Lullabye” and this would not be a full concept album as he was known for doing in the past. The recording was remastered and re-released back in 2009 and was discussed on this website along with its companion re-issues. 2015 finds this recording being re-issued anew with a few bonus demo tracks and since my thoughts on the main body of work remain the same I am refreshing reader memory below. I’ll be back to discuss the bonus tracks afterward. Let’s continue.
“Freshly remastered by guitarist/producer Andy LaRoque, King Diamond’s 1995 opus “The Spider’s Lullabye” comes at us for another attack. It’s interesting to listen to this particular album some fourteen years later as it’s quite different from what fans of the King had grown used to him delivering, and it was also the first album to be released on his then new label Metal Blade Records. Some felt this release was the weakest offering that the King had delivered and in one sense I can agree that it is not as strong as your “Them” or “Abigail” recordings, but those are very, very hard to top when it comes down to it based on how they impacted the Heavy Metal genre and its use of Horror as a consistent genre for source material. When you play the remastered edition you will quickly realize that “The Spider’s Lullabye” is not a timid release in any shape or form, but it is different in how it begins because it starts up by offering up several small stories as opposed to one centralized theme that runs a full album. Perhaps the hardcore fans expect Mr. Diamond to only release full stories and never experiment with his own musical ideas every once in a while. Musically this is on point as longtime collaborator Andy LaRoque is in place and with subject matter that involves ghosts, serial murderers and being buried alive one can see that the switch to Metal Blade from Roadrunner Records did not find the King dulling his senses or skill at things macabre. My favorites from this part of the recording are “The Poltergeist” and “Six Feet Under”.” Continue reading “The Spider’s Lullabye” (deluxe edition) by King Diamond→
King Diamond returns and is bringing us into the world of his album “Abigail”, this masterpiece of Metal horror storytelling will have the fans thrilled and chilled to the bones. Dare you miss his invitation? That would surely not be wise. Support for this tour comes from Exodus. All tickets purchased under the Best Buy Theater naming will be honored at this performance.
King Diamond returns and is bringing us into the world of his album “Abigail”, this masterpiece of Metal horror storytelling will have the fans thrilled and chilled to the bones. Dare you miss his invitation? That would surely not be wise. Support for this tour comes from Exodus. All tickets purchased under the Best Buy Theater naming will be honored at this performance.
The Mayhem Fest has ended and after some seriously tumultuous commentaries across its run, the one constant was about how great King Diamond was as the second to last performing act. I saw the regional show last weekend and can attest to just how amazing King was sounding. It’s as if he went back in time and a younger self had taken his place or some sinister forces have been spoken to in dark places and given him renewed vigor and stage power in exchange for a few of your paltry souls. With the festival over, it was great to learn that King Diamond would be getting back on the touring circuit in a few short months and delivering one of his most important albums as a solo artst. The one and only “Abigail”. I’ve copied the press release and tour dates for you below along with the poster and then we can discuss it a little bit.
The Press Release:
KING DIAMOND will be back on tour soon for an extra special event for fans – one not to be missed. As part of the set, the band will be performing the classic 1987 album Abigail in its entirety! The tour will begin on October 29th and runs through December 5th with legendary bay area thrash metal band Exodus as the opening act, The full list of confirmed dates is below. The general on sale for tickets begins Friday, August 7th at 10am EST. Continue reading King Diamond Unveils “Abigail” Fall Tour 2015→
There has been some level of chatter about this happening over the last few weeks and in these times of instant gratification thanks to the likes of Twitter and Facebook, the idea of waiting for more than a hot second is nothing less than agony in today’s concert going fan. That said, the wait is over and the big reveal was made official as King Diamond announced his long awaited (and overdue) return to the USA for a string of dates starting in October. Check out the dramatic poster of the King below and then you can indulge in the Press Release as well.
Press Release:
Agoura Hills, CA – June 23, 2014 – King Diamond has confirmed what has been rumored for several weeks: the band will return to North America for a full tour this Fall! The tour will wrap up with the previously announced performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, TX, and begins on October 11 in Atlanta, GA. A limited edition King Diamond jacket will be available through the SHOWstubs.com fan club presale, which begins tomorrow, June 24th. Tickets will be on sale online and at box offices nationwide on Friday, June 27th. Continue reading “All Hail The King”; King Diamond Reveals Fall Tour For 2014→
