THE BEAST

King Diamond has opened up about Andy LaRocque’s departure from his namesake band, suggesting that the longtime guitarist may simply no longer have wanted to commit to the group’s increasingly demanding touring schedule.

In a new interview with Metal Injection, King Diamond discussed the recent split with LaRocque, who had been a member of the band for approximately four decades. According to King, the decision was not the result of one particular incident or disagreement, but rather something that had gradually developed over time.

“We are certainly still friends. That’s never going to change,” King explained. “I think it’s a gradual thing that’s just been going on. Different directions for a while.”

King also addressed the possibility that the band’s increasingly extensive touring plans played a role in the decision.

“I had a feeling recently that when Andy heard the new touring plans and the new plans overall, that it was not something that was... ‘Yay!’ But more like: ‘Oh my god!’” King said. “I don’t think he likes touring that much as we’re doing now.”

The legendary vocalist went on to explain that several former members of King Diamond had ultimately stepped away for similar reasons, particularly when the demands of touring began to conflict with family life.

“We tour longer now these days and we are gonna continue going that way because it’s very, very important,” King said.

Despite LaRocque’s departure, King made it clear that he sees the change as a positive development for both musicians.

“And that’s also why it doesn’t feel in this horrible thing because it’s something that is good for both me and Andy,” he said. “And we played it for 40 years. Think about it. It’s like crazy that you think about it has been that long.”

GUS G IS NOW FULLY IN THE KING DIAMOND CAMP

Replacing LaRocque is Firewind guitarist Gus G, who King emphasized is not simply being brought in as a touring musician.

“This is not like a hired hand,” King stated. “He’s in the band 100 percent.”

King said Gus will honor the established King Diamond sound while also bringing his own musical personality into the group.

“He’s gonna copy and he’s as close as he can and fully honor that, that’s what people want to hear and see,” King explained. “But I want him to play his own style, but it must also fit with what we’re doing.”

The collaboration could also extend into songwriting. King said he has encouraged Gus to contribute material and wants the guitarist to become immersed in the stories and atmosphere behind the upcoming King Diamond music.

NEW KING DIAMOND MATERIAL IS ALREADY FAR ALONG

King revealed that he already has an enormous amount of material prepared for future King Diamond releases, saying he currently has enough completed material and story concepts for roughly three albums.

“I have enough for the first one and a half album on King Diamond, on that story that would be over three albums of just my stuff that is now musically ready to be recorded,” he said.

He also discussed the upcoming album Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920, confirming that Gus G will perform the guitar parts on the album version.

“We decided for Hank on one side and Mike Reed on the other side,” King said, describing the new guitar arrangements. “It livens things up in such a cool way.”

King also teased one of the new songs, “The Nun,” describing it as featuring Hammond organ, changing time signatures, heavy sections, choirs and a guest vocalist whose identity he is not yet ready to reveal.

He also hinted that he would like to bring in Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box for one of the song’s three guitar solos.

MERCYFUL FATE ALBUM NEARING COMPLETION

While King Diamond continues working on his own material, Mercyful Fate is also deep into recording its long-awaited new album.

King said Mercyful Fate currently has priority because of its deadline, with the album expected to be completed in time for Metal Blade Records to prepare its release.

He suggested a potential Mercyful Fate release around May 2027, followed by European touring during the summer and a U.S. tour later in the year.

The new King Diamond album would follow, with King anticipating a release around spring 2028 and a major tour supporting it.

King also promised new stage productions for both bands, saying the King Diamond show will become “even more” theatrical.

KING DIAMOND MOVIE ALSO ON THE WAY

As if two new albums weren't enough, King revealed that a full-length movie chronicling his life and career has also been filmed over the past three years.

The project has received support from the Danish National Film Institute and is intended to be submitted to film festivals.

Rather than being a conventional documentary, King described it as a story about a Danish kid with enormous dreams who seemingly had little chance of making them a reality.

The filmmakers reportedly went deep into King's history, uncovering archival footage from his earliest bands, including Brainstorm and Black Rose.

And because this is King Diamond we're talking about, the film apparently won't be lacking in supernatural stories either.

King recounted several paranormal experiences that have influenced his music, including an incident at Pennhurst Asylum involving unexplained cigar smoke that later inspired the Mercyful Fate song “Demon’s Night.”

“MY VOICE HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER”

King also offered an encouraging update on his current vocal condition, saying he believes his voice is stronger than ever.

“My voice has never been better in my entire career,” he stated.

He credited his current studio setup and vocal approach for helping him achieve the sound he wants, while also revealing his unusual backstage vocal-care routine: raw dark honey delivered directly onto his vocal cords with a syringe.

With King Diamond and Mercyful Fate both working toward new albums, Gus G officially in the fold and a career-spanning film in the works, the legendary Danish metal vocalist appears to be entering another extremely busy chapter.

As King himself put it at the end of the interview:

“Stay heavy. That’s the main thing.”