KING DIAMOND/ OVERKILL

It’s been many years since I have seen the KING in action. For a great deal of that time, I didn’t think I would ever have that opportunity. Or if I did, that the man would be a shadow of himself after his numerous health issues.

I can only guess what kind of diabolical pact KING DIAMOND signed with the Prince of Darkness that enabled him to put on the show he did in Milwaukee’s beautiful Riverside Theater on November 8, 2024. Because I saw a man reborn, renewed and reinvigorated that night. A master showman at the peak of his powers and actually looking and sounding better than he did when I saw him in the early 2000’s. KING’s performance tonight surpassed all expectations and not just the man himself, but his entire band and two superb opening acts.

It was a night when everything kind of clicked for me. I was easily able to find the venue deep in the heart of Beertown. Perhaps some demonic angel was watching over me as well, as I secured a FREE parking spot about a block from the venue. Now THAT doesn’t happen too often! Also, I swung a press and photo pass, so the only thing I spent money on was gas. Pretty slick!

The Riverside reminds me a lot of the venerable Coronado Theater in my own hometown of Rockford, IL. In days of yore, this had to be the crown jewel of Milwaukee’s theaters...a baroque gem with classic old school architecture and excellent acoustics. There was an area free of seating in front of the stage and this is where I spent the majority of the show. Even before a single note was played, I could tell that KING DIAMOND’s stage set up was as elaborate as any he’s ever had.

The evening started with NIGHT DEMON, a band whose style fit this tour like an iron gauntlet. I had seen them not all that long ago at the Blades of Steel fest in Madison and was somewhat disappointed by their set, which seemed kind of low energy to me. I’m happy to say, tonight was a different story and the band redeemed themselves fully. The moody ballad “Outsider” started the show as it did at Blades and provided a slow burning build to a full melodic metal tune. It worked better visually at the Riverside with a big NIGHT DEMON banner hanging behind them and smaller banners at each side.

After “Outsider”, they ripped into the fast paced “Scream In the Night” instead of going into another ballad like they did at Blades. After the slower opening track, the rest of the set was heads down and full metal power all the way, reaching into the band’s earlier albums. We got to hear some great NIGHT DEMON tracks like “The Chalice” (featuring a ghoulish monster on stage...very generous of KING to let the band use him!) and the iconic “The Howling Man”. Jarvis Leatherby’s vocals were top notch and it was obvious that this gig was going to have GREAT sound!  The band were really active on stage as well, taking full advantage of the generous area provided. The set wound up with a killer version of the eponymous “Night Demon”, which led to a huge crescendo and a ton of fog.

NIGHT DEMON did a terrific job warming everybody up for the legends to come and if there were those in the crowd unfamiliar with the band, this set showed what they were all about. A MUCH better gig than the one at Blades of Steel!

I could have wished for a good three or four more tracks at least, but maximum energy was put into what we got. The sound was excellent as well. OVERKILL’s set at Milwaukee Metalfest was marred by poor sound, but no such problem tonight. These guys delivered everything an opening act could...and more!

That left us with KING DIAMOND to close out the show. It’s been probably 20 years or more since I’ve seen the top hatted sinister minister in action and he’s been through hell and back since then, with health issues that put his very life in question. When I saw him headlining this gorgeous old theater with such stellar opening acts, I knew I had to make this show. But would I see the KING of old or maybe just a shadow of what was?

DIAMOND exceeded every expectation I could have had. I have never seen or heard him in better form than he was tonight. It’s crazy to say it, but he is better at age 68 than when he was in the 90’s and headlining Milwaukee Metalfest with MERCYFUL FATE. His voice was outstanding and that eerie soprano rattled the Riverside rafters with ease. Plus, he is also the consummate showman and delivered a theatrical exhibition worthy of his inspiration, ALICE COOPER. This was not just a concert, it was a complete entertainment package.

Let me describe his stage set up, which was fantastic. The stage was constructed like it took place in “St. Lucifer’s Hospital”, which is the setting for KING’s next concept album. The stage was actually on two levels, with stairs going up both right and left sides to the upper platform. Drummer Matt Thompson was ensconced in an alcove on this second level. There was a catwalk at the very top where KING, other band members and the multi-talented female actress who plays several parts during the gig can look out over the crowd. Much of the stage area was made to look like an old hospital, with doors, a “prison” area with barred windows, and various props scattered about. There was a big contained with what looked like a giant brain floating in it and another that seemed to have a headless infant. Yeah, that reminds me of my own laboratory. There are other gargoyles and knicknacks around. On the far right and left of the stage were giant painted backdrops showing characters from the “St. Lucifer’s” narrative.

Now I’ll tell you what really impressed me about KING’s stage set: NO FRIGGIN’ VIDEO WALLS! Now this is the sign of a true showman! We didn’t have a bank of giant LCD screens showing distracting images that drew attention away from the performers. Instead, this was a show with an old fashioned theatrical feeling to it, where all emphasis was put on KING and the band. A TON of metal bands could take a lesson from how KING DIAMOND did things tonight...even giants like JUDAS PRIEST have come to rely on annoying video screens during their shows.

Of course, the show is always important with KING, but the music is above all and here the band delivered in spades. Everybody was as tight as a drum, with those excellent guitarists Mike Wead and Andy La Rocque shredding KING’s complex heavy metal with ease. Bassist Pontius Edberg didn’t take a back seat to either of them and looked every inch the rock star with big hair and leather gear. Now I want to mention a special addition to the band accompanying them on this tour as a special guest and that is MYRKUR, the female black metal sensation, who played keyboards and sang on this gig. Honesty compels me to say that I am no fan of her own work, but she fit in beautifully (and I do mean beautifully...she’s a gorgeous Scandinavian woman) with the show, especially her backing vocals, which reinforced KING’s tones but didn’t overwhelm them.

The show couldn’t have gotten off to a stronger start, as four hooded druids carried a coffin to the center of the stage as KING, resplendent in top hat and black cloak, stepped forward and pulled an “Abigail” doll out of the coffin. After plunging a dagger into the doll, we were off and running with “Arrival” and “A Mansion In Darkness”, which were flawlessly played. KING DIAMOND has some awesome albums in their catalogue, but none finer than “Abigail”. The even more iconic “Halloween” followed and had everybody singing along. I’ll say it again, KING’s vocals were stunning...just as impressive as Rob Halford’s considering their respective ages.

The mixture of songs was pretty impressive. “Voodoo” was a bit of a surprise and this track marked the first appearance of an actress who played a variety of parts during the course of the evening. This time around, she was a zombie girl in a filmy white dress. I think she may have possibly been KING’s own wife Livia Zita, a very talented woman, but I can’t swear to it. At any rate, she really added a lot to the show with her kabuki-like movements and constant costume changes. During “Sleepless Nights”, she came out as “Grandma” in a wheelchair and with makeup to match, while KING himself wore an old man mask as “Grandpa”. Their interaction was humorous and entertaining to say the least.

The show also saw the debut of three new songs from KING’s upcoming “St. Lucifer’s Hospital 1920” opus and these really have me drooling in anticipation of that record. “Spider Lilly”, “Masquerade of Madness” and especially “Electro Therapy” are all in the KING DIAMOND mold with tons of speed, melody and Gothic heaviness. The crowd reacted just as favorably to these new songs as they did to old favorites like “Halloween” and “The Invisible Guests”.

KING also showed some love to his album “The Eye”, which has kind of grown in stature over the years. “Eye Of The Witch” and “Burn” both made an appearance and sounded great. I think I might have underrated this album myself...time to go back and give it another listen!

“Burn” brought an end to the main performance, but the packed crowd rallied enough to bring KING and his crew back on stage to perform “Abigail”, which closed the night’s festivities. I can’t really say enough how much I enjoyed the set tonight. I only wish that maybe something from KING’s other great masterpiece “The Puppet Master” would have made it in, but that’s a minor quibble. You can’t have it all.

A top notch show not only from KING DIAMOND but also OVERKILL and NIGHT DEMON as well. I hope you had a chance to experience this tour live...it was cream of the crop heavy metal!