Name: The Eye
Brand: King Diamond

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

156791

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "156791"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2022-05-27

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Orchard

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

039841567915

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "039841567915"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

King Diamond

Genre US

Metal

Label US

Roadrunner

King Diamond is a heavy metal vocalist from Denmark, born on June 14, 1956. He gained fame as the lead singer of Mercyful Fate and later formed his own band. Known for his falsetto vocals and theatrical stage presence, King Diamond often adorns himself with ever-changing face paint featuring inverted crosses. In his lyrics, he explores occult themes and Gothic horror stories involving haunted houses, ghosts, and possession.

In the 1980s, King Diamond faced criticism from religious and parental groups due to his image and affiliation with Anton LaVey's Church of Satan. However, he has since stated that he follows no religion at all. Currently residing in Dallas, Texas, USA, King Diamond is married to Hungarian-born vocalist Livia Zita who also performs with his band and serves as his business partner.

Despite facing health issues in the late 2000s which required back surgery in 2007 and a triple-bypass in 2010, King Diamond continues to captivate audiences with his unique style. His music has influenced numerous artists within the heavy metal genre such as *Mercyful Fate*, *Halford*, *Anvil*, *Metal Church*, *Sanctuary*, *Overkill*, *Venom*, *Running Wild* and many more.

Released in 1990 a year after Conspiracy and the completion of the story that had began on Them, The Eye is once again a concept album but has a different perspective. The protagonist of The Eye – which is narrated by an unknown entity – is not King Diamond but a cursed artifact and an array of characters. The Eye is one of the most accessible albums on King Diamond's discography and a fine starting point for those who are unfamiliar with the band’s work.

Released in 1990, The Eye is the fifth King Diamond album, and is the only album to feature drummer Snowy Shaw and the last to feature guitarist Pete Blakk until his return on Abigail II: The Revenge.

Once again a concept record, the main parts of the stories told on the album are based on actual events that took place during the French Inquisition, 1450-1670. Some of the characters are real and from that period of time. Whereas King’s previous band Mercyful Fate was overtly satanic and occult, the King Diamond material was more fantastical and conceptual, though still with dark themes throughout.

When King’s original band Mercyful Fate split up, having released two genre defining masterpieces Melissa and Don’t Break the Oath, he formed King Diamond along with guitarist Michael Denner and and bassist Timi Hansen The line up on The Eye was completed by guitar virtuoso Andy La Roque.

The Eye

Music US