![]() Beneath the horned mask and elaborate microphone stand is his signature stage makeup. Diamond emerges in theatrical fashion from the top of the staircase, floating down as the opening notes to “The Oath” kick in. Holm, guitarist Mike Wead, and bassist Becky Baldwin) walked out onto the stage. The band (comprised of founding guitarist Hank Shermann, drummer Bjarne T. The curtain dropped to reveal a highly elaborate church-like stage design, complete with marble staircases, an illuminated upside-down cross and a pentagram with glowing red eyes at its base. It’s minor details like this that always make heavy metal shows fun to watch and photograph (it helps that the music is great, too). Even though it was the night before Halloween, I’m almost confident that this is part of their everyday show. German thrash metal act Kreator kicked up the intensity as they powered through a powerful selection of tracks on a stage adorned by fake dismembered bodies. Donned in black masks that completely obscured their faces, the three-piece got things moving along, their costumes only a nod to the theatrics that awaited those in attendance that evening. Mercyful Fate’s return to the stage featured two opening spots, the first of which was helmed by Midnight, an aggressive speed/black metal act that pummeled their way through a handful of fast paced songs to kick off the night. With a new album in the works and a handful of overly theatrical performances, the black metal pioneers returned to the Northern California stage the night before Halloween, enticing fans that have been following them (or Diamond’s own impressive solo career) for decades. Mercyful Fateofficially hung it up in 1999, reuniting briefing in the early aughts for a handful of performances, but they have since returned to perform on a more permanent basis. Mercyful Fate is one of the forefathers of this metal subgenre, bursting onto the scene in 1981, fronted by the enigmatic King Diamond, dressed in some form of costume and face painting as he croons in falsetto over thrash-and-doom metal outings. The music was inspired by speed and thrash metal, but its theming came from a more sinister place. However, in the early 80s, black metal came onto the scene, utilizing both the imagery of anti-Christian and Satanic themes while simultaneously incorporating lyrics about Satanism into their music. Bands like KISS, Slayer and even Motley Crue have incorporated this style of “shock value” into their image for decades. They both replied yes and King added that he and Kerry have "a mutual respect" for one another.AMAZING!! Even as the crew were attempting to close out the Q&A, King was still conversing with us! I had driven from Orlando to Atlanta midweek to be a part of this event.Satanism and its imagery have been used by heavy metal and rock acts alike to add shock value to their live shows since the dawn of time. I had commented on Kerry King meeting up with them in Las Vegas earlier in the year and asked both King and Hank if they were Slayer fans. That said, I will tell you without hesitation that this was one of the best performances of ANY band I have attended.and there have been hundreds!! The setlist encompassed both the Melissa and Don't Break The Oath albums to near entirety! King Diamond and company performed the songs with INCREDIBLE energy despite the fact that these classics are reaching the 40 year mark! I was 1 of only 4 attendees who purchased THE ULTIMATE EVIL VIP Package at the Tabernacle and the experience was one I will never forget! Although it was nearly midnight when the Q&A took place, both King Diamond and Hank Shermann were friendly and engaging after playing an expansive set. I am a super critical reviewer of bands and concerts.
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