KING DIAMOND with Overkill and Night Demon
YouTube Theater
Inglewood, CA
11.29.24
LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARILYN BELL
King Diamond brought his Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920 tour to the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California on Friday, November 29, 2024 for an unforgettable night of metal.
Opening the show was Ventura, CA’s Night Demon, bringing their metal revival act that would have been right at home in the 80s with King Diamond or Mercyful Fate even though the band was formed in 2011. The band has often been compared to and shared the bill with NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) acts. They fit right in with Danish metallers King Diamond and got the crowd going. They opened the set with the title track off their 2023 release Outsider on Century Media and pummeled through a blistering 30 minute set.
Next up was the 80s thrash metal band Overkill. Another NWOBHM influenced band, Overkill sounded as tight as ever and kept up the momentum with the crowd. It was clear many in the audience was there for Overkill as much as they were there for King Diamond. They opened the set with the title track from this year’s Scorched album out on Nuclear Blast. They immediately launched into “Rotten to the Core” from 1985’s Feel the Fire. They played fan favorites spanning decades and ended their 45 minute set with a Subhumans cover. The crowd was in a frenzy in anticipation for King Diamond after the pure metal set from Overkill.
King Diamond’s stage show was perfection. The multi-level stage provided for layers of the theatrical production for the intricate set pieces King Diamond is known for. While the song didn’t make an appearance until the encore, King Diamond started his performance by stabbing a creepy Abigail doll, judging from the name on the coffin upon which she sat.
That definitely set the tone for the rest of the haunting performance and stage show that provided the metal soundtrack played by the backing band, which included Myrkur on guest vocals and keyboards. The only respite from the harmonious horror show was a pause to sing “Happy Birthday” to guitarist Andy LaRocque when introducing the band members.
A review doesn’t do this show justice. A King Diamond show is something that must be experienced in person at least once, if not many times.
