The Appeal Of The KING
This one has been on my mind for a long time, And, since I'm extremely partial to the artist, the plan is to be basic - to cut out the controversy and the emotional annoyances I feel when faced with King-adversity. Let's just say that this little body of words here could be much...angrier.
Opting for the informative approach seems quite a bit relieving. I simply hate getting worked up. Plus; there is a large part of me that understands the initial shock of the unorthodox way that this man goes about any of his output, be it performance-wise or existentially. But I've never condoned laziness, nor does internal warring between like-minded artists or performers strike me as virtuous in the least.
What I mean - as to step away from the music for a spell - is this; so do we now live in a world where everyone drinks nothing but raspberry-flavored alcoholic beverages? Do people find it impossible to ever have sex again after initially bleeding due to a broken hymen? Is going swimming in a lake out of the question because it's impossible to warm with climate control?
I feel that if I need to explain how these questions relate to the subject of "offsetting" music, then whoever thinks so should stop reading right there.
Moving on. So, it's obvious I'm calling King's music (I'm including Mercyful Fate into that, as well) an acquired taste. We can all agree there, I'm sure. Though I have actually met a few that are seasoned enough to not act like eccentricities are a big deal, having a middle-stance on the whole controversy involving this unique man - he would be an artist that fits the "love him or hate him" stigma. For the most part, you get King, or you run away, spewing childish insults on your way back to whatever comfy metal appeals to you. This is where I see the laziness. It's obvious from looking at the other side that he's highly appealing. This cannot be denied, except in the individual microcosm of the person denying it. So, in another way, he's also unappealing. I will not deny facts. The man and his music are BOTH.
I'm here to tell you what the "love him" side feels. I got into the man 22 years ago (when I was 10) [Editor's Note: This article was written June 23, 2013]. If there is a lack of qualified rights to speak for King Diamond fans somewhere in my loyal journeys through his spellcrafting, I'd like to know where and why. So, assuming I'm a legitimate fanatic, my explanation of the biased form of being entertained called fanaticism shall continue.
In a very widespread way, metalheads are known for their love of horror. Let me tell you right now; even without music, and just a couple of candles and some facepaint...the man can weave horror stories through your soul and up and down your spine (fans will know what I'm referring to). But no need to stop there, because, like him or not as one - the man's a musician, and a technically proficient one at that.
So, skipping the spoonfeeding you every little detail and ruining any self-induced discovery, the details will be general as I can be with such a complex artist. Throughout King's story-laden scare-tales put to music, is the melodic narrative of...The Voice. Now...this is where the "lazy" hear a few notes and run away. Despite the man's ability to sing in a great classic midrange, chant operatically, growl, and give chilling spoken word, he's know for his piercing and unorthodox falsetto. Now, high screams within melodic singing lines in metal aren't uncommon. It's that King actually uses them in an unabashed (to the "strangeness" of it) and diverse manner, relying on them not only for more traditional and energetic climaxes in the songs, but for even softer, more ghostly lines as well. Also, the areas to which the man applies his unique tones are in nontraditional and odd places, if one were to compare his writing to other bands. But, that's where the secret lies. One should escape that mindframe if they are to be left alone with their true decision about how they feel about King's creations.
Let it also be known that while King Diamond sings exclusively on stage with no instrument bogging him down, he's a guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist, as well. He writes the bulk of his music, crafts his horror stories around the complex compositions, delegates his work to an always talented staff of performers, and adds visual appeal (to those that enjoy it, mind you) to the live performances. He's been doing so (performing, in some form) for over 32 years. That's my current AGE.
I just realized that I could go on and on. I could compile all kinds of references, tell of his story-lines, explain musical aspects, vocal techniques that I have studied, go into lineup changes, past bands, etc. But I won't. I'm gonna end this as biased and endeared as I started:
If a purely METAL, face-painted madman of the most dedicated and proven caliber, who can growl like a demon, chant like a monk, and screech like an evil old witch with lungs of steel doesn't sound like he will appeal to you, then he probably never will. Just keep the ignorance out of your statements. And to those that love him, I hope this meant something to you. I know KING means the world to me.
This one has been on my mind for a long time, And, since I'm extremely partial to the artist, the plan is to be basic - to cut out the controversy and the emotional annoyances I feel when faced with King-adversity. Let's just say that this little body of words here could be much...angrier.
Opting for the informative approach seems quite a bit relieving. I simply hate getting worked up. Plus; there is a large part of me that understands the initial shock of the unorthodox way that this man goes about any of his output, be it performance-wise or existentially. But I've never condoned laziness, nor does internal warring between like-minded artists or performers strike me as virtuous in the least.
What I mean - as to step away from the music for a spell - is this; so do we now live in a world where everyone drinks nothing but raspberry-flavored alcoholic beverages? Do people find it impossible to ever have sex again after initially bleeding due to a broken hymen? Is going swimming in a lake out of the question because it's impossible to warm with climate control?
I feel that if I need to explain how these questions relate to the subject of "offsetting" music, then whoever thinks so should stop reading right there.
Moving on. So, it's obvious I'm calling King's music (I'm including Mercyful Fate into that, as well) an acquired taste. We can all agree there, I'm sure. Though I have actually met a few that are seasoned enough to not act like eccentricities are a big deal, having a middle-stance on the whole controversy involving this unique man - he would be an artist that fits the "love him or hate him" stigma. For the most part, you get King, or you run away, spewing childish insults on your way back to whatever comfy metal appeals to you. This is where I see the laziness. It's obvious from looking at the other side that he's highly appealing. This cannot be denied, except in the individual microcosm of the person denying it. So, in another way, he's also unappealing. I will not deny facts. The man and his music are BOTH.
I'm here to tell you what the "love him" side feels. I got into the man 22 years ago (when I was 10) [Editor's Note: This article was written June 23, 2013]. If there is a lack of qualified rights to speak for King Diamond fans somewhere in my loyal journeys through his spellcrafting, I'd like to know where and why. So, assuming I'm a legitimate fanatic, my explanation of the biased form of being entertained called fanaticism shall continue.
In a very widespread way, metalheads are known for their love of horror. Let me tell you right now; even without music, and just a couple of candles and some facepaint...the man can weave horror stories through your soul and up and down your spine (fans will know what I'm referring to). But no need to stop there, because, like him or not as one - the man's a musician, and a technically proficient one at that.
So, skipping the spoonfeeding you every little detail and ruining any self-induced discovery, the details will be general as I can be with such a complex artist. Throughout King's story-laden scare-tales put to music, is the melodic narrative of...The Voice. Now...this is where the "lazy" hear a few notes and run away. Despite the man's ability to sing in a great classic midrange, chant operatically, growl, and give chilling spoken word, he's know for his piercing and unorthodox falsetto. Now, high screams within melodic singing lines in metal aren't uncommon. It's that King actually uses them in an unabashed (to the "strangeness" of it) and diverse manner, relying on them not only for more traditional and energetic climaxes in the songs, but for even softer, more ghostly lines as well. Also, the areas to which the man applies his unique tones are in nontraditional and odd places, if one were to compare his writing to other bands. But, that's where the secret lies. One should escape that mindframe if they are to be left alone with their true decision about how they feel about King's creations.
Let it also be known that while King Diamond sings exclusively on stage with no instrument bogging him down, he's a guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist, as well. He writes the bulk of his music, crafts his horror stories around the complex compositions, delegates his work to an always talented staff of performers, and adds visual appeal (to those that enjoy it, mind you) to the live performances. He's been doing so (performing, in some form) for over 32 years. That's my current AGE.
I just realized that I could go on and on. I could compile all kinds of references, tell of his story-lines, explain musical aspects, vocal techniques that I have studied, go into lineup changes, past bands, etc. But I won't. I'm gonna end this as biased and endeared as I started:
If a purely METAL, face-painted madman of the most dedicated and proven caliber, who can growl like a demon, chant like a monk, and screech like an evil old witch with lungs of steel doesn't sound like he will appeal to you, then he probably never will. Just keep the ignorance out of your statements. And to those that love him, I hope this meant something to you. I know KING means the world to me.
- This article was written for my King Diamond tribute-page, June 23, 2013.
The link link to get there is below: