Album Review: KING DIAMOND - The Spider's Lullabye

KING DIAMOND – The Spider’s Lullabye – Deluxe Edition

King Diamond just released a re-mastered version of one of his most solid albums of the 90s, The Spider’s Lullabye – Deluxe Edition, via Metal Blade Records on November 27, 2015. Even though this is the 3rd time this album has been released – originally in 1995, and then re-mastered by Andy LaRocque and re-released in 2009 – it is the first time to include unreleased demos on which LaRocque performed the solos and King Diamond himself was responsible for everything else. The album is also available as a limited European import with a double red vinyl disc set and a 23”x 23” poster. What makes The Spider’s Lullabye different from previous albums is that it is the first album since their debut to not feature a full concept treatment. [columns] [column size=”1/3″]

King Diamond - The Spider's Lullabye

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Artist: King Diamond
Album Title: The Spider’s Lullabye – Deluxe Edition
Release Date: 27 November 2015
Playing Time: 01:04:26
Label: Metal Blade Records

[list style=”music”] [li]From the Other Side[/li] [li]Killer[/li] [li]The Poltergeist[/li] [li]Dreams[/li] [li]Moonlight[/li] [li]Six Feet Under[/li] [li]The Spider’s Lullaby[/li] [li]Eastmann’s Cure[/li] [li]Room 17[/li] [li]To the Morgue[/li] [li]Moonlight (Demo)[/li] [li]From the Other Side (Demo)[/li] [li]The Spider’s Lullabye (Demo)[/li] [li]Dreams (Demo)[/li] [/list]

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The first five songs are reminiscent of a cleaner version of King Diamond’s first band Mercyful Fate. The song “Moonlight” is the catchiest on this disc – the song had some airplay back in 1995, during a period when metal’s popularity was on a decline. Lyrically, the track is influenced by the 1960 film Village of the Damned. Arguably the heaviest song from this album is “Six Feet Under,” combining elements from speed metal with a very catchy chorus, while also tying into the story arc found on Them and Conspiracy.

One song that is very different during this period for King Diamond is “The Poltergeist.” The Uriah Heep-inspired keyboards in the introduction shows King Diamond wearing his influences on his sleeves. The squeaky door effect played on the guitar has to be heard. Andy LaRocque is simply a god on the guitar. His touch on re-mastering this overlooked gem showcases some of his best guitar playing. Without spoiling the story, the final song “To The Morgue” touches on doom-style guitars, with elements of Candlemass and Black Sabbath, and shows King Diamond performing more than just his signature falsetto.

The relationship between King and Andy can be compared to other great singer & guitar duos. The demo shows a true testimony of two minds creating the historic sound known as King Diamond.

Catch King Diamond on the Abigail in Concert 2015 tour!

[8/10]