If you’ve never heard of the metal monarch, King Diamond, shame on you. People like to think of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath as the originators of the genre. King Diamond isn’t quite that old in his tenure at the top of the heavy metal hierarchy, but he’s almost as influential. As the lead singer of Mercyful Fate, King Diamond went on to almost create the black metal genre. With lyrics about the occult and Satan, the band created a massive following. Slayer and Metallica both cite Mercyful Fate as huge influences on them. Following a departure from Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, formed the band, King Diamond.
Last night in Anaheim for the Institute Tour, King Diamond brought a slice of that heavy metal thunder. The theme of the show was around their newest album, The Institute, which is due in 2020. We’ll go through just about everything that you could think of that went into this show. It was my first time seeing the King in person. Would he be as good as advertised? Would his insane falsetto voice hold up live? Was the Garden Grove of Anaheim a good concert venue? We’ll get to these all in due time. As for now, it’s on with the show.
Before The Show
Because Los Angeles traffic is hell, especially that on the “5”, “605”, and “57” freeways. Even after leaving at a reasonable time, I was forced to miss the two opening bands for the show, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, and Idle Hands. I didn’t hear much from the crowd about them before the show, but it always sucks to miss the opening bands of a show to get you in the mood. Arriving at the venue around, 8:30, I was delighted to check that King Diamond would go on at 9:00. So I got into “Tier 2” of the seating.
A quick aside about the Garden Grove of Anaheim. It’s located pretty close to Disneyland and the heart of Anaheim. The shadow of Angel Stadium and the Honda Center loom over it. It was surprisingly easy to get in to, parking wasn’t horrendous for a concert, $12, and it was a clean and well sounding venue. I’d go back and recommend anyone else to go.
The crowd had to wait for a little bit after 9:00 for the main event to go on, but at least we were treated to some killer tunes from Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, and Deep Purple. The lights went down, and Uriah Heep’s “The Wizard” tuned up the crowd.
King Diamond Is Wheeled Out
Now this heading might be a little misleading. It makes you think that King Diamond is some old geezer that has to be wheeled out and propped up to perform. That was the farthest thing from the case in Anaheim. The stage was masterfully decorated to look like a mental institution. Complete with a wire bed frame to the top left of the stage, an iron door with a small window, and all the accouterments of evil with a three level stage design. Iron Maiden always has the best stages that rotate, change, and adapt to the songs they’re playing, but King Diamond is up there with them on this one.
“Black Horsemen” is a fitting end to the overall concert because it finishes up the story of Abigail and the story of the night. Which was all about blistering heavy metal and having a great time with a bunch of other heavy metal fans. The only complaint I can have about anything on the night was the asshole standing in front of me recording the whole show on his phone for Facebook Live. I get wanting to take pictures, I took pictures. But sitting the entire concert with your phone up in the air like a doofus getting poor quality recording is a bad move. So to that guy, kiss my, and probably everyone behind you’s, ass.
Other than that, it was a great show and I recommend anyone who has the chance to see King Diamond perform, does it. They’re that good, and you won’t regret it. I give the show and the stage performance a 10/10. Rock hard, ride free, and defend the heavy metal faith.
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