KING DIAMOND – Back In Time with Metal Photographer Bill O’Leary – Photos of King and his band from a gig in 1985 #KingDiamond

From Bill O’Leary —

Since leaving Mercyful Fate for a solo career in 1985 after two albums and an EP, King Diamond has released 15 or so albums along with another five Mercyful Fate albums as well. A metal legend from Denmark, with his unusual falsetto vocal style, he has continued a long career as the torch bearer for Black Metal and his Euro Style of metal music. I captured King Diamond in 1987 while on tour supporting his Abigail album at Normans Place in Aurora, Colorado. Many fans consider Abigail a high point for King Diamond and these rare classic images support that.

   The band consisted of fellow Mercyful Fate band member and original bassist Timi Hansen, guitarist Andy LaRocque, second guitarist Mike Moon who replaced Michael Denner for the US tour, and drummer Mikkey Dee.  I had full access to all areas of the stage, including behind the drum kit where I got a great shot of drummer Mikkey Dee, who since then had a long stint with Motorhead and later became the drummer for the Scorpions. Abigail was a concept album based on a story by King Diamond himself. The band played most of the new album, but of course included many Mercyful Fate songs as well, “Into the Coven”, “Black Funeral” and “Come to The Sabbath”.

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