Words + Photography ANDREW PARKS
Considering my first exposure to King Diamond was a Mercyful Fate medley on a Metallica album, and I've failed to listen to one of his albums in full since then (not by choice; it's simply one of those Spotify-fueled "I'll listen to it later" situations), I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from Tuesday night's St. Paul show. Maybe some pyrotechnics. A ritual sacrifice or two. Guitar solos. A revved-up rhythm section. Costume and set changes.
However you look at it, I'd heard enough of the heavy-metal icon's songs — both with Mercyful Fate and the eponymous band that's been his primary focus since 1985 — to know that it'd be an actual show. As in not just a well-oiled machine rehashing their old records to a half-interested room of fans who are really here to crack a couple beers and relive the 'good old days'.
Considering my first exposure to King Diamond was a Mercyful Fate medley on a Metallica album, and I've failed to listen to one of his albums in full since then (not by choice; it's simply one of those Spotify-fueled "I'll listen to it later" situations), I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from Tuesday night's St. Paul show. Maybe some pyrotechnics. A ritual sacrifice or two. Guitar solos. A revved-up rhythm section. Costume and set changes.
However you look at it, I'd heard enough of the heavy-metal icon's songs — both with Mercyful Fate and the eponymous band that's been his primary focus since 1985 — to know that it'd be an actual show. As in not just a well-oiled machine rehashing their old records to a half-interested room of fans who are really here to crack a couple beers and relive the 'good old days'.
