King Diamond / The Academy / Manchester

A trip up over the Pennines in glorious sun to catch the legend that is King Diamond on his short UK tour. It’s blistering outside, and things aren’t fresher in the Manchester Academy, with a big crowd bringing the enthusiasm, and the heat in equal measure.

First up in support are rising start of the gothic / heavy metal genre Unto Others. Formed in Portland, Oregon in 2017 they are Gabriel Franco (vocals & guitar), Sebastian Silva (guitar), Brandon Hill (bass) and Colin Vranizan (drums).

They have released three albums with 2019’s “Mana (Eisenwald Tonschmiede)” (performing initially as Idle Hands), 2021’s “Strength” and their latest release 2024’s “Never, Neverland”. For me Unto Others blend elements from old school rock, metal with a pinch of post-punk, pulling these elements together to create a sound that somehow feels nostalgic and classic, and yet fresh and vibrant in equal measure.

Regular tourers in the UK, I’ve seen them previously touring with the likes of Behemoth and most recently Green Lung. They have built up a solid and loyal fan following and seem to have been adopted by many as one of our own.

Frontman Gabriel is an imposing figure with his large shades and his vocals which are are a wonderful mix of deep growls and softer more traditional bring the tracks to life. The guitar melodies are both engaging and powerful as they sit over the thunderous drums.

The set contains Butterfly and Suicide Today from their most recent album “Never, Neverland” which are punchy and certainly have that Sisters of Mercy gothic vibe. But this is what I love about Unto Others, they embrace different styles and sounds and take you on a sonic journey, one minute sounding like a heavy Morrisey, and then, with tracks like the brilliant Momma Likes The Door Closed which is heavy and packed with energy and power.

Sebastian adds a flamboyant touch, as he commands his stage, moving from side to side, striking poses as he plays to entertain the crowd.

Unto Others are as usual powerful and engaging, a band I never tired of hearing. A great, if hot opening to the night.

Setlist

Butterfly

Momma Likes the Door Closed

Nightfall

Suicide Today

It Doesn't Really Matter

The Academy seems to empty as everyone either heads to the bar or for fresh air, as the stage is readied for the arrival of Paradise Lost. Hailing from Halifax West Yorkshire, and formed in 1988, Paradise Lost are English metal band. Many see Paradise Lost as the pioneers of death-doom metal and a heavy influence on the later gothic metal scene.

Paradise are Nick Holmes (vocals), Gregor Mackintosh (guitar), Aaron Aedy (guitar), Stephen Edmondson (bass) and Jeff Singer (drums). They have released 17 studio albums from their self-titled 1990 debut “Lost Paradise” to the soon to be released “Ascension” (Out 19th September). To date, they have sold over two million albums.

Right from the first notes, it’s clear we’re in for a rollercoaster of a ride. By now the Academy is just a sweat box, but despite this singer Nick Holmes stands centre stage and commands all before him. There is a power, an edge, almost anger to his voice as he delivers a performance for the ages. Is range and ability to switch effortlessly from deep growls to crisp clean vocals is impressive.

As you’d expect from a veteran band with a solid back catalogue, the setlist is a whirlwind journey through their greatest hits. They hit things off with Enchantment from the album “Draconian Times”. Immediately something isn’t right and we can’t hear Nick’s vocals through the mix. A trip to the side of the stage to change mic’s resolves things and soon his immediately recognisable tones are ripping through the hot air.

We all know whats coming as Nick bleakly states “It sometimes feels like there isn’t a hope in sight” maybe a reference ot the state of the world these days, but the audience know what it means as they rip into No Hope In Sight from “The Plague Within” album.

The set includes such fan favourites as Pity the Sadness and The Last Time both going down a storm with the crowd. Paradise Lost are tight and as you’d expect professional, but there is no arrogance or laziness to their performance, but a genuine sense of appreciation for the audience. The music is dark, powerful and unrelenting.

It’s a great performance and the whole band seem to be thoroughly enjoying it despite the awful heat, with Gregor laying down some impressive riffs and solos. With Jeff Singer back on drums, the rhythm is perfect.

By the final track Just Say Words it’s just a melting pot, everyone dripping and the crowd are up, cheering and horns in the air, celebrating a band that remains at the top of their game.

Setlist

Enchantment

The Enemy

No Hope in Sight

Pity the Sadness

Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us

The Last Time

Ghosts

Embers Fire

Say Just Words

Thankfully, we get a longer break as the stage is prepared for the entrance of King Diamond, outside the cooler night air is a blessed relief. A trip to the bar and we’re back at the front ready for the mayhem which is to come.

King Diamond is a Danish musician (Kim Bendix Petersen) known for his solo career and also as the lyricist and singer of Mercyful Fate. As King Diamond, there have been twelve albums from 1986’s debut “Fatal Portrait” to 2007’s “Give Me Your Soul...Please”

Known for his iconic black and white face paint, cape and top hat, his music is known for it’s dark gothic horror themes in the stories. The stage is set out like a street with an overhead walkway where the drums sit. In the middle is a door and a white coffin in front marked “Abigail”. By the stairs either side, there’s a street light and it has that hauntingly evil turn of the century ‘Whitechapel’ feel to it.

The place is packed now (which doesn’t help lol) and there is a buzz of anticipation in the air (or it could just be the aircon struggling to cope lol).

The lights dim, and the smoke rises. The central door opens and King Diamond walks out and approaches the coffin. Reaching in he takes out a doll dressed in black. He sneers and grimaces at it and pulls out an ornate ceremonial dagger, before plunging in to the doll, holding it aloft before flinging it down back onto the coffin, which is the cue for Arrival to strike up, taken from 1987’s “Abigail” album. It’s followed by A Mansion In Darkness taken from the same album, and the crowd are just lapping it up.

Unlike many modern bands, there’s a vaudeville, or comic side to the horror. It doesn’t ever feel real or dangerous and delivers brilliant visual theatre to the performance. There are obvious similarities to the likes of Alice Cooper, and I can see where Tobias Forge got some of his inspiration for Ghost from.

King Diamond deliver a stunning performance, delivering a fine balance between eerie theatrics and rock solid musicianship. The show uses various props and actors. A woman walks down the left stairs holding a lantern high scared, searching, before coming face to face with King Diamond in the misty street below. Its cleverly done and never feels like it distracts from the musical content.

The vocals are incredible, known for his falsetto there is a range and depth to the performance unlike many others. With his mic mounted on a cross of bones, he commands the stage.

Guitarist Andy LaRocque delivers yet another excellent performance blitzing out some impressive and powerful solos perched on the stairs for dramatic impact. Between the songs Kim talks and interacts with the crowd and here you see the impression he has surely made on Tobias Forge. His stage persona is eerily charming and erstwhile and he mixes in a good dose of dry humour to the mix. The relationship between band and audience is clear to see, as we hang on his every word.

Looking round the academy, what was great to see was the mix of age ranges. For such a long serving iconic band, it’s not just older fans, but there’s a big cohort of students and younger fans enjoying a master at work. The highlight is a haunting rendition of Halloween which brings a cheer as it starts, and the crowd sing along to every line, arms raised. Its an incredible sight.

As the set draws to a close we enjoy the brilliant 2019 single Masquerade of Madness, where his high vocal range is shown off to its fullest extent, Eye of the Witch and Burn both from 1990’s “The Eye”, Eye of the Witch a great fan favourite that has some fantastic break sections, made for stompin’ round in a pit or headbanging at the barrier, before we finally close with Abigail, the title track from the 1987 classic album with it’s speedy guitar riffs, catchy, classic 80’s heavy metal with some brilliant solo sections to delight the crowd.

Its great to see such an impressive stage set in a venue like the academy. King Diamond remain a force to be reckoned with. Packed with humour, horror and theatrics, and not to mention some of the utterly most brilliant horror rock you can find anywhere, Kind Diamond are a must see.

Setlist

Arrival

A Mansion in Darkness

Halloween

Voodoo

"Them"

Spider Lilly

Two Little Girls

Sleepless Nights

Out from the Asylum

Welcome Home

The Invisible Guests