KING DIAMOND IN CONCERT:
When it comes to all-out macabre spectacle, few artists can compete with legendary Danish heavy metal icon King Diamond. The revered performer has been honing his diabolical stage persona for four decades, and his highly theatrical live show is the perfect showcase for his incredible falsetto vocals, bludgeoning guitars, and over-the-top showmanship. From his heavily painted black and white makeup to the neon crosses hanging upside-down above the stage, King Diamond's acclaimed tours provide an unforgettable concert experience that fans of full-blown heavy metal extravaganza won't want to miss.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Danish metal legend King Diamond, a.k.a. Kim Bendix Peterson, got his start as a performer in the mid-'70s with the heavy rock outfits Brainstorm and Black Rose. In 1981 he formed the seminal heavy metal group Merciful Fate, which provided a testing ground for the quasi-Satanic persona he had begun developing with his earlier projects. After two acclaimed albums and a world tour the band called it quits, and in 1985 King Diamond launched his solo career with his eponymous band. Their 1986 debut Fatal Portrait cracked the Top 40 in Sweden, enthralling the country's dark metal fans with morbid songs like "Lurking in the Dark" and "Halloween". The band followed up in 1997 with concept album Abigail, which landed on the US Billboard 200 chart and staked the increasingly ambitious, concept-oriented territory they would continue to explore on subsequent releases. With 12 studio albums and nearly as many acclaimed tours under their belt, King Diamond continues to thrill ticket buyers with their no-holds-barred heavy metal mayhem.
