King Diamond will release his new album on June 26th, 2007 entitled Give Me Your Soul…Please. Like with previous King Diamond albums, Give Me Your Soul…Please promises to be a huge event among the Diamond Bangers around the world. And this will be a big production when they hit the road to promote the album. I’m a longtime fan, having discovered King Diamond on the original Headbanger’s Ball when I saw the music video for the “Invisible Guests.” I was curious, bought Them, and worked my way back to Abigail and Fatal Portrait and then discovered Mercyful Fate.  Getting a chance to interview King Diamond is a dream come true. I was armed with 22 questions, but along the way I threw the script out the window as right out of the blocks King took over and ran with it. Who am I to interrupt? This being round three of press interviews, I figured he had had enough of fans and press interrupting and asking the same old questions, which I’m sure mine weren’t all that unique either. Partway into the interview, the Metal Gods decided to have some fun with me.  A precursor was getting disconnected twice while on deck to speak with King Diamond, but then partway into our conversation my micro cassette player died!!!! So I began to take shorthand notes, which I do in my paying gig and the rest went off with out a hitch. So what you’ll see here are some of the highlights of the conversation with the mighty King Diamond which took place on 6.8.07.

 

Correct me if I’m wrong here, but the new album’s artwork was done before the storyline. You bought the artwork and then wrote the story around what you saw in the painting, right? There’s a story behind the painting and how you came across it.  What’s the real story?

 

No. (laughs) That’s not exactly how it was at all. You see the idea or concept or working idea was already in the works when the artwork came into the picture. I had begun to work on the storyline. The answer is that it wasn’t inspired by the cover. What happened was that our label’s distributor in Denmark came across the painting and he though that we should look at it as it would make a perfect King Diamond album cover.  I eventually saw what he was talking about and I agreed I liked the artwork. Originally the little girl in the painting had a set of eye balls in her hands. The name of the painting was called “My Mother’s Eyes.” We changed it a little to fit the story that we had been working on we also added the mirror that you see in the final version. The mirror is actually a mirror in my house so there’s a personal connection there.  You can hear what I’m talking about in the song “Mirror, Mirror.”  We made it look like the girl is looking in the mirror where she wasn’t in the original painting. As for the story, I don’t want to give too much away.  You’ll understand when you pick up the album.

 

What sets Give Me Your Soul…Please apart from previous King Diamond albums?

 

Well with Give Me Your Soul, we have done something that we have never done before. We wrote a story that happens in real time or as the person is hearing the album. It’s like the show 24.  It’s occurring as you’re watching it. As you know, in the past everything we have done in story form but in the past tense. We’re usually in the 1800’s or something, you know. The other difference with Give Me Your Soul is that we have gone back to the basics.  If you have heard the album you’ll be able to hear that there’s something a little different sonically. The backing vocals aren’t as layered, there’s a better flow to this album. And for this album the lyrics were inspired by the music that we demoed. As I said we had the concept, the lyrics came later. I think the end result is better songs, the melodies are better and I’m very happy with the lyrics. As we were recording the album, the more I heard the more I was inspired to make this album better. This one is a psychological thriller kind of an album, it plays with your mind where in the past things were laid out and you were very clear on what and where the fear was coming from. Our webmaster who is very critical of our records for years was wondering when we would issue an album that would top Abigail, then we released The Puppet Master, so then he began to ask how this album would top The Puppet Master? He’s a great friend and an unbiased critic he will let me know what he thinks, as do the fans. If you come in with the idea that you’re going to do a classic album one better, then when does it end? I don’t know if let’s say Abigail come out today that it would be the classic that it is today.  I don’t know, times change. Fans hold an album dear for whatever reason.  Maybe it was the first album they heard, bought, or it has some significance to them and that becomes their album. That is used to measure everything that comes after. I try not to think of topping an album. I go in with the belief that I’m going to make the best album possible.  With Give Me Your Soul…Please we would just keep working and working on it until we were all satisfied.  It just happened a little bit different. Our webmaster heard the new album and he calls me as says “you kicked my Dutch ass!!!” He liked what he heard.  He tells me he’s in the process of writing a review for the website. I can’t wait to read it.

 

How was the recording of Give Me Your Soul…Please handled? In this day and age you don’t even have to be in the same room or country for that matter. What’s the process for your eclectic band?

 

Right! My drummer Matt Thompson and I both live in Dallas, Texas, Hal lives in Denmark, Mike Wead and Andy are in Sweden. We are international that’s for sure.

For Give Me Your Soul I wrote eight of the songs on my own and Andy wrote the other five songs. We traded demos and ideas back and forth, but when were ready to begin recording Andy who has his own professional studio called Los Angered Recording in Sweden. He packed up his gear as did the rest of the band and they brought it to my house. Everything was set it up here and my house became the studio. Andy and Mike eventually left and they were able to lay down their solos from their homes and sent them back to us so we could add them to the already existing songs. For this album we started a while ago, we toured in America and other countries, took a break we wrote some more and began to plan out some ideas for the next album. Then came the second leg of the American tour, then more touring, then a live album and more touring.  In between some of the breaks I began to write down some ideas. Someone was telling me that it has been nearly four years since the last studio album? I can’t believe it, because it’s been like we’ve been busy either touring, making appearances at festivals, writing, recording demos, recording the album, and now promoting this album!

 

When you ventured out on your own as a solo artist, did you envision that you’d be releasing concept albums at the rate that you have?

 

Yes, I have always been interested in writing strictly concept albums. This obviously didn’t fit well in Mercy but when I set off on my own I did envision putting out concept albums. I needed to develop this style, as you know there five songs on Fatal Portrait album that are fit together in story form, so I began this on that album.

I’d like to think that I have gotten better over the years. I think this kind of style has become comfortable for me it suits me.  I’m able to write in story form at a good pace.

 

Speaking of Fatal Portrait the re-mastered version features “No Presents for Christmas” on it which was originally a holiday anti-single, as I like to call it. Anyway there’s a line on there where you use “Tom and Jerry drinking Sherry.”  Are you referring to the cartoon characters on there?

 

In all honesty, I was familiar with the cartoon characters but when I was writing this song it fit well with what was being written. I think the line you’re referring to stayed because it flowed better than some of the other ideas I had at the time. It was done in good fun and not to really offend anyone.

 

I love the last album the Puppet Master and I know there has been mention of it making it into a motion picture. Frankly I think there are a number of albums that you released that would make great films. Do you have any interest in venturing onto the big screen with your work?

 

I would be very much interested in making one of these stories into a film. Not just The Puppet Master, but how about Them?  I think Them would make a great film and can you imagine what we could do with Grandma? She could be huge, like Freddy Krueger or like Jason from Friday the 13th. The thing about horror films these days is that they aren’t doing anything that’s different.  It’s not horror anymore, it’s about special effects and things like that. The stories aren’t strong like they used to be twenty, thirty, or even ten years ago. If you think back to the recent remakes of old horror movies, they claim that it will be better than the original and it’s just not. It’s a shadow of the original and that is frustrating as a fan of the classic horror films.

 

So getting back to the question I’m very interested. I think a barrier has been the fact that I have no connections to anyone in the film industry. With the way that industry works I’m afraid that they would change my work to their vision of what it should be. Just think about the remakes. I have often been asked to tape record two hours worth of material to pass along to a writer who will then work on the screen play! Excuse me. I wrote those stories!!! This is the thing that worries me a little about venturing into film. I would have to meet the right person that hopefully is a fan and knows the stories already and makes a film that is true to the storyline and true to the characters in it.

 

And you have a way with a story. I really liked the DVD that came with The Puppet Master.  I have seen that countless times and the first time I watched it was alone in the dark in surroundsound. I don’t get freaked out too easily, but that was very eerie.

 

Good! I know I’m doing my job then. I like the psychological aspect of horror, how the mind plays into people’s imagination. You’ll have a lot of that kind of thing happening with the new album. I like for example what they did with the movie The Grudge.  They didn’t have to resort to blood and gore.  A lot of it was the psychological aspect that is what sacred people. When you pick up the new album you’ll also be treated to what I’d like to think is the best packaging we have ever done. So I suggest you open it up, pop the CD into your stereo system, light a candle, lights down, and enjoy the story.

 

Have you and Rob Halford ever discussed doing a duet? Would you like it to happen? I have the cover you did with Mercyful Fate of “The Ripper” and it gives the original a run for its money.

 

Thank you.  That was a fun song to record. Judas Priest is obliviously a huge influence; Rob has been a great inspiration to me. He’s one of the reasons that I’m here doing what I’m doing. No, I have not ever been approached about doing something with Rob. Would I do it? Yes, I would love to work with Rob, if the opportunity came up; I’d do it in a second, of course.

 

Aside from The Metal God, who else has been an influence on you as a singer or songwriter?

 

Well, as I stated Rob Halford vocally.  I also love Alice Cooper.  He has a brilliant ability as a songwriter and he’s a great showman. He’s the reason that I use all the visuals and costumes on stage.  I wanted to do what he was doing, but add my own style. One that might be a surprise for you and some fans out there reading this is David Byron from Uriah Heep, great singer with a dynamic vocal and he too was theatrical. I don’t know that when you see a King Diamond show you see his influence in there, but it’s there.

 

I read in an article a couple of years back about Mercyful Fate and King Diamond live footage that was unearthed for possible DVD releases. I’m loving the DVD’s that came with the Roadrunner 25th Anniversary reissues of Melissa and Abigail.  Is there a full length DVD of King Diamond and Mercyful Fate in the cards?

 

Well they will eventually be released so far things are moving very slowly. Too slow, I think. I feel we should have had these out a while ago. Between preparing, then releasing our live album and doing some live shows and promotion things slowed down. Right now the King Diamond DVD is ready, I have selected the tracks, I have approved the footage, and it’s now in the hands of the legal department. They are handling all the legalities, which is what has slowed things down yet again. The King Diamond DVD will be a double DVD set.  There will be some backstage footage of us on The Conspiracy Tour which fans will get a thrill out of, there’s rehearsal footage from The Eye era, there’s concert footage from a special appearance we did in day light! On a sunny Sunday afternoon no less.  You have to see that, it’s incredible. There’s also footage from 1986 from Washington D.C., and European Tour footage from that same year. I think we have enough footage from possibly two Mercy DVDs but I know we’ll at least get one out there soon. I had Brian Slagel over watching some of the footage not too long ago and when he saw it he was freaking out.  He was like “we need to get this stuff out man!” I agree we need to get it out there for the fans to have. This footage we have had in our possession for some time and it has not been available to be copied or bootlegged so I know this hasn’t been seen by the fans. This is so rare. We have footage of Mercy from even before Mike Denner was in the band.  That’s how far back some our archives go. That footage is from one of our first gigs in Copenhagen with my early make-up.  I hadn’t perfected it yet, and you’ll have to see that. There’s footage from 1984 where we played at an old church that had been converted into a club, if you can believe that. Anyway there we are playing; this footage was actually confiscated by our manager at the time from some kids that were recording us on one of the big bulky beta cameras. At one point the manager took it upon himself to snatch the tape from the kids before they could escape with it, the kids demanded it back, and the manager said that they’d have to call the authorities for that to happen. They didn’t as they knew they were breaking the law and we have that tape to this day. There’s also footage of various outdoor festivals, one of which also featured Metallica.  There is a lot of good stuff on there.

 

Why aren’t you as accessible to fans after the shows anymore? How much wear and tear does the voice take on a tour?

 

(long pause) Ruben, it’s nothing like that.  The simple answer is that I’m doing this out of respect for the fans. Allow me to explain; for many years I used to immediately get off stage and hangout with the band, friends, fans, whoever. I would drink and party and not take care of my voice, which is my instrument. I found that began to affect my voice. While no one ever said anything, I realized how disrespectful that was to the fans at the next show. Those performances afterward certainly weren’t going to get my best. I have a lot of pride in my voice and the performance I give on stage. I’d like to be able to replicate everything that I do in the studio live. This is why it’s nice to take this new approach with the new album anything on the album must be replicated live. If I can’t do it live then I won’t do it on the album. It’s more than just not partying anymore; I have been taking better care of myself. The last tour we went two and half months on the road with very few days off, can you imagine what a mess I’d be if I went out and partied each night? I drank two beers on that tour and both were with a meal. With those long tours, seems like the longer you’re out the more likely you’ll get ill, you get worn out, and one thing I found since I have been taking care of myself, I’m the last one to get sick if at all. You see the guys in the band are out with the fans and the crew, shaking hands, taking pictures, and things like that. Well, the more contact you have with people the more likely you’ll be exposed to a cold or worse. Like I said, I need my voice.  I have a reputation to uphold. So there is no mysterious reason why I’m back on the bus as soon as the show is over. I’m sweaty, tired, and I need to rest.  That is all. I sweat more than the rest of the guys, between make-up, layers of clothing, and the heat from being up on stage I’m soaked. And if I catch a cold breeze I’m afraid of getting sick. Another thing about me and touring is that I can’t sleep if I’m moving, so that makes it impossible for me to fall asleep on the tour bus or if I’m on a plane. So when I can get rest I do. It’s not at the most convenient times, but I have to do what I need to do to stay healthy. I have a theory why I’m staying healthier than the rest of the guys in the band.  I use up less oxygen than them because I’m singing and talking to the audience the entire time on stage, which prevents me from taking in anything that could make me ill. The hour and forty minutes on stage during our set is my fun.  That is what I live for. So it’s not meant to offend the fans.  I’m doing it out of respect to the fans that have bought tickets to see the best performance that I can give. You see, some of those fans haven’t seen us in a year, sometimes two or three. I want their experience to be the best possible. That’s not to say that if I see a fan I won’t stop and say hello or sign something.  I just need time to rest.  (King then whispers to someone in the room with him.  I couldn’t really make it out.)  Oh I’m sorry, go on.

 

Is there someone in the room with you?

 

Yes there is, it’s my cat Magic.  She’s sitting here with me. She’s cleaning herself after her meal.

 

Out of pure curiosity, you’re now officially a Texan. What was the relationship between you and Dimebag Darrell? How did collaboration on Voodoo come to be?

 

Yes, I’m in Dallas, I’ve been here for some time now. We became good friends in ’92 or ’93. I knew of him before. How could you not? Pantera were very popular on MTV and radio at the time. We crossed paths a few times and one day Dime, Vinnie, and Rex invited me over to Dime’s house to jam on a few tunes. I think at that time Phil had moved to New Orleans, so I had no contact with him. Anyway I made it over to Dime’s house to jam on some songs.  They were going to have a New Year’s Eve party and they were playing some songs and they asked if I wanted to get on stage and perform. I said sure and I found myself there having more to drink that actually rehearsing! Eventually we got it together the next day and we performed later that night at the party. It was a good time.  We did “Green Manalishi,” “The Ripper,” and another song. We shared our love for Judas Priest as you can tell. How I got Dime to record the solos on the song “Voodoo,” our engineer at the time had done some work with Pantera and one day he mentioned “you should get Dimebag to play the record.”  The next thing I know we have him in the studio recording and playing in the studio. He was fun to have in the studio and I have to tell you he was a genuinely nice guy. I miss him. One thing I remember about the way he worked in the studio he would use some odd phrases to communicate what he wanted.  I remember sitting in the studio watching him play the solo, then hearing the play back and he said “hey, could you turn up the woo-woo?” The engineer turned a few knobs and played it back for him and he said “okay.” I was puzzled; I wouldn’t have known what he wanted!

 

Have your personal beliefs changed at all over the years and if so, how?

 

They haven’t changed at all. I still have no religious affiliation or beliefs. At the same time it would be naïve of me to say to someone that there is no God. Who am I to challenge someone’s beliefs? I will say that if you believe in a God then where’s the proof? There are many religions out there. There are flaws with each religion where no one God in a specific religion reigns supreme over another. There’s a lot of confusion and that’s what the theme behind the album House of God. If you look at the make-up I used for that particular album I have crosses pointed in all directions.  It signifies this confusion. Religion is also a huge factor in many wars throughout history. Just ask the Catholics and the Protestants.  They have been killing one another for some time now. I prefer not to take part in religion.

 

Thanks for your time King. I saw Metal Blade rolled out the North American tour dates for Give Me You Soul…Please. While I’ll have to wait until you next year to see you, I’m sure it will be well worth the wait.

 

Thank you very much, Ruben. I haven’t even looked at the dates quite yet, but I have them here with me somewhere. Take care and we’ll see you on tour.

 

Well there you have it.  King Diamond on Pivotal Rage!  I ran out of time and still had about a dozen more questions; they’ll be in reserve for next time. Thanks to Emmy @ Metal Blade for getting us on the third round of interviews and for Vince for trying not once but three times to get the call through. And once again King Diamond because an interview is only as good as the subject matter!  Don’t forget to grab the new album on June 26th  It’s called Give Me Your Soul …Please.