Power of Metal.dk Review

King Diamond
Dreams of Horror
Rating
Style: Horror Metal/Heavy Metal/Speed Metal
Release date: 7 November, 2014
Playing time: 109:17
 


I think for many metal fans, a reference to 'the King' by a passer-by on the street doesn't create associations to the greasy haired fellow who occupied Graceland until his heart exploded after years of uncontrolled medication and eating in 1977. If you're anything like me, your train of thought first and foremost bumps into a Dane who many years ago expatriated himself to Dallas, Texas and made that his base for creating horror filled stories and applying heavy music to those stories.

The band King Diamond has existed for almost 30 years now, thus marking the first dissolvement of Mercyful Fate, a band that have influenced countless acts over the past three decades. A tradition King's solo band continued.

The new double CD 'Dreams of Horror' is a status of the three decades King himself and his only remaining original sidekick, guitarist Andy LaRocque, have entertained the metal world (and beyond) with thrilling stories of ghosts, demons and devils. The two CD's are divided into the 'Roadrunner Years' and the 'Metal Blade Years', holding just over 50 minutes worth of music each. 30 years and just two record companies? Shows belief and loyalty, I reckon.

One thing that this collection also shows is a consistent quality of song material as well as a confidence in the characteristic style of the band. No matter if you like King Diamond or not, no one can deny that the man is a unique specimen in the world of music. And that's backed by an excellent talent for composition which is also apparent when you listen through these two CD's. Even with the albums where you thought that this wasn't really at the level of hammer albums like 'Abigail', 'Them' and 'Conspiracy' (my absolute faves in the King catalogue), I realised when listening back to this combilation that the songs from later and less impressive albums are songs that I recognize. A song like Black Devil, for example, is sooo dark, the title track from 'Spider's Lullabye' is in fact also the hammer upon a re-listen.

Would the selection of songs have looked exactly like the one King has picked for this compilation? Oh, maybe not entirely, but it's damned close. No matter, what I'd recommend this collection to anyone who's considering giving King Diamond a go. A strong testimony of a great that has made a difference in the world of heavy music - Hail to the King! 'nuff said!


Tracklist
Disc 1 – Roadrunner:
01. The Candle
02. Dressed in White
03. The Family Ghost
04. Black Horsemen
05. Welcome Home
06. The Invisible Guests
07. At the Graves
08. Sleepless Nights
09. Let It Be Done
10. Eye of the Witch
11. Insanity

Read More: King Diamond to Release 'Dreams of Horror' 2-CD Compilation | http://loudwire.com/king-diamond-dreams-of-horror/?trackback=tsmclip
Disc 1 – Roadrunner:
01. The Candle
02. Dressed in White
03. The Family Ghost
04. Black Horsemen
05. Welcome Home
06. The Invisible Guests
07. At the Graves
08. Sleepless Nights
09. Let It Be Done
10. Eye of the Witch
11. Insanity

Read More: King Diamond to Release 'Dreams of Horror' 2-CD Compilation | http://loudwire.com/king-diamond-dreams-of-horror/?trackback=tsmclip
Disc 1 – Roadrunner:
01. The Candle
02. Dressed in White
03. The Family Ghost
04. Black Horsemen
05. Welcome Home
06. The Invisible Guests
07. At the Graves
08. Sleepless Nights
09. Let It Be Done
10. Eye of the Witch
11. Insanity

Read More: King Diamond to Release 'Dreams of Horror' 2-CD Compilation | http://loudwire.com/king-diamond-dreams-of-horror/?trackback=tsmclip
Disc 1 – Roadrunner:
01. The Candle
02. Dressed in White
03. The Family Ghost
04. Black Horsemen
05. Welcome Home
06. The Invisible Guests
07. At the Graves
08. Sleepless Nights
09. Let It Be Done
10. Eye of the Witch
11. Insanity

Disc 2 – Metal Blade:
01. Dreams
02. The Spider’s Lullabye
03. Waiting
04. Heads on the Wall
05. Voodoo
06. Black Devil
07. Help!!!
08. Spirits
09. The Puppet Master
10. Blue Eyes
11. Never Ending Hill
12. Shapes of Black

Label: Metal Blade
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Artwork rating: 75/100
Reviewed by: Thomas Nielsen
Date: 30 October, 2014
Website: www.kingdiamondcoven.com