KING DIAMOND - The Eye USA Re-issue 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Re-issue of King Diamond's album "The Eye" pressed on 180 grams audiophile vinyl

King Diamond's 'The Eye' album cover featuring a demonic pendant with bat wings, a blue eye centerpiece, and a silver chain on a dark purple silk background with swirling textures.

This is a re-issue of King Diamond's concept album "The Eye" pressed on 180 grams audiophile vinyl, the band's third concept album which tells a story from a different viewpoint, focusing on true events from the French Inquisition between 1450-1670; notably, this album marks the first King Diamond release without Mikkey Dee on drums, featuring Snowy Shaw instead

King Diamond's "The Eye" Reissue: A Resurrection of Madness on 180 Grams of Vinyl
Album Description:

In a world overrun by corporate rehashes and soulless remasters, King Diamond's 180g vinyl reissue of "The Eye" is a welcome blast of hellfire from the past. This isn't just a nostalgia trip; it's a sonic exorcism, a chance to relive the madness of 1990 in all its audiophile glory.

For the uninitiated, "The Eye" is King Diamond's third concept album, a gothic rock opera that plunges into the depths of human depravity and emerges with a blood-soaked grin. The album tells a tale of madness and demonic possession, drawing inspiration from the horrors of the French Inquisition. It's a story as old as time, yet King Diamond manages to inject it with fresh blood and a healthy dose of his signature falsetto shrieks.

The reissue doesn't just replicate the original; it amplifies it. The 180g vinyl pressing adds a new layer of depth and clarity to the music, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the intricate details of Andy LaRocque's guitar work and the thunderous rumble of Snowy Shaw's drumming. The sound is both raw and polished, a testament to King Diamond's meticulous production and the remastering wizardry of the modern age.

Of course, no King Diamond album would be complete without controversy. "The Eye" is no exception, with its graphic lyrics and disturbing imagery sparking outrage among the easily offended. But for those of us who embrace the darkness, this is simply another facet of the album's twisted charm.

In a world of musical conformity, "The Eye" reissue stands as a defiant middle finger to the bland and boring. It's a reminder that heavy metal can be both brutal and beautiful, a sonic journey into the heart of darkness that will leave you breathless and begging for more. So crank up the volume, dim the lights, and let King Diamond's madness consume you. This is heavy metal at its finest, and it's never sounded better.

Essential Album Information For: KING DIAMOND - The Eye

Music Genre:

Black / Death / Thrash Metal from Denmark

Label & Catalognr:

Metal Blade Records 3984-15316-1

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1990-2014

KING DIAMOND - The Eye Production & Recording Information

Album Packaging

This album includes a black and white custom inner sleeve with portrait photos of the musicians in King Diamond band and lyrics of all the songs on this record.

Producers:

Roberto Falcao - Producer

 Roberto Falcao is producer and sound engineer since the first King Diamond record "No Presents for Christmas" on later "King Diamond" albums, often he is guest playing the keyboards.

King Diamond - Producer

Andy La Rocque - Producer

Sound & Recording Engineers:

Flemming Rasmussen - Producer, Sound Engineer

  • Flemming Rasmussen – Producer, Sound Engineer

    Sweet Silence Studios founder/engineer whose fingerprints show up on metal records that sound way bigger than the room they were made in.

    Flemming Rasmussen is one of those behind-the-glass names I keep spotting like a quality stamp: a Danish producer and sound engineer, and the founder of Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen. His timeline reads like a metal history syllabus I actually want to study: Rainbow (1981), then Metallica (1984–1988: Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, ...And Justice for All), followed by Artillery (1990), Morbid Angel (1993), Blind Guardian (1995–1998), Ensiferum (2003–2004), and Evile (2007). He even won a Grammy for producing Metallica’s "One" (1989), which is kind of hilarious when you remember that song is basically anxiety with military boots on.

    Flemming Rasmussen Wiki

    • Recording Location:

    This album was recorded June-July-August 1990 at: Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark

     SWEET SILENCE STUDIO is a Danish music recording music in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is owned by Freddy Hansson and Flemming Rasmussen (producer of Metallica albums).

    Album Cover Design & Artwork:

    Jorgen Bak - Cover Art, Photography

    Thomas Holm - Artwork artist

  • Thomas Holm – Illustrator (Studio Dzyan)

    The Malmö-based hand behind those saturated, midnight-blue fever dreams that made the '80s occult revival look dangerously expensive.

    Thomas Holm doesn’t just illustrate album covers; he builds the cage you're about to be locked in. Co-founding Studio Dzyan in Sweden, Holm became the aesthetic architect for King Diamond’s most claustrophobic years. When you look at the oil-painted dread of Melissa (1983) or the sulfurous glow of Don’t Break the Oath (1984), you aren't looking at 'marketing'—you're looking at a specific brand of Malmö gothic that feels wet to the touch. Between 1986 and 1990, his work on Fatal Portrait through The Eye gave the King a visual consistency that most bands trade for cheap airbrushing. There’s a density to his colors—those bruised purples and sickly jaundiced yellows—that suggests a level of patience most metal artists don't possess. Even his later pivots to Wolf or Nifelheim carry that same meticulous, old-world grime. It’s the kind of artwork that makes you handle the sleeve by the edges, half-convinced the paint might still be drying or, worse, that something inside is actually breathing. It’s a grim, beautiful standard that most modern digital renders can’t even touch.

    Thomas Holm Wiki

    • Thorbjorn Jorgensen - Artwork artist

     Thorbjorn Jorgensen a Swedish illustrator and graphic designer and member/founder of the Studio Dzyan in Malmö. Thorbjorn has been working on all the artwork for the albums of Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, S.P.O.C.K, Lord Belial and many others. For the "King Diamond" and "Mercyful Fate" albums he has often been working together with "Thomas Holm".

    Photography:

    Alex Solca - Photography

    Alex Solca is a renowned music photographer celebrated for capturing the raw energy and iconic essence of Heavy Metal legends through his striking and timeless imagery .
    Orvar Thunstrom - Photography

    Musicians:

    Below is a listing of the musicians performing on "The Eye", for each of them there is a short biography:

    • King Diamond - Vocals, keyboards
    • King Diamond – Vocals, keyboards

      The Danish high-priest of the falsetto, whose corpse-paint probably never quite washes off the collar.

      Before he was an icon, Kim Bendix Petersen was just another kid in Copenhagen lugging gear through the mid-70s gloom with Brainstorm and Black Rose. By the time Mercyful Fate coalesced in ’81, he’d stopped playing the part of a frontman and started inhabiting something far more unsettling. To hear that first EP is to hear a man daring the listener to laugh at his theatrics, only to realize the music is too sharp, too lethal, to be a joke. When the Fate inevitably fractured in '85—as bands built on such rigid alchemy usually do—the King simply took the candles and the bone-cross with him. His solo output didn't just 'feature' horror; it exhaled it, turning 12-inch vinyl into a physical medium for ghost stories. It’s music that smells of old velvet and cheap stage fog, anchored by a voice that shouldn't work but somehow, impossibly, does. You either buy into the ritual or you don’t, but you never forget the first time that scream hits the speakers. King Diamond Wiki

    • Andy LaRocque - Guitars
    • Andy LaRocque – Swedish guitar virtuoso behind King Diamond's sound.

      Joined King Diamond in 1985 and turned shred into story-telling, not sport.

      Andy LaRocque, Swedish guitar virtuoso who joined King Diamond in 1985 and never stopped sharpening the knives. Before the robes and candles, he cut his teeth in Gothenburg hard-rock acts Trafalgar and an early Swedish Erotica in the mid-1980s. I hear his stamp from "Fatal Portrait" (1986) through the 1987–1990 run—"Abigail", "Them", "Conspiracy", "The Eye"—where his leads glide then lunge. After the quiet years he’s back on the 1995–2007 albums ("The Spider’s Lullabye" to "Give Me Your Soul...Please"), keeping the melody cold and precise. He also turns up outside the crypt: guitarist on Death’s "Individual Thought Patterns" (1993) and a guest solo on At the Gates’ "Cold" (1995), then later puts producer ears to work at Sonic Train Studios.

      Andy LaRocque Wiki
    • Pete Blakk - Guitars
      Pete Blakk: Swedish shredder known for his work with King Diamond. His riffs and solos defined a heavy metal era. "Learn more about him"
    • Hal Patino - Bass
      Hal Patino American bassist who fueled the sound of Danish heavy metal giants Geisha and King Diamond. His powerful basslines are a hallmark of their iconic albums. Learn about Hal Patino
    • Snowy Shaw - Drums

       Snowy Shaw is a musician mainly drums, who started his career in 1989 by joining the King Diamond's band during their North America tour. In 1990 Snowy Shaw played drum pads on King Diamond's The Eye album.

    • Roberto Falcao - Keyboards
    • Roberto Falcão – Producer, sound engineer

      My favorite Copenhagen pair of ears: he helped freeze King Diamond’s 1985–1990 menace onto tape.

      Roberto Falcão, the guy in Copenhagen who kept King Diamond sharp, not smeared. Back when I was doing late-night headphone checks and annoying my neighbours, his mixes were the ones that made the candles feel like props. From 1985’s "No Presents for Christmas" (producer/engineer) into 1986’s "Fatal Portrait" and the "Halloween" single, he’s the steady hand on the faders. In 1987 he returns for "Abigail" (engineering plus those keyboard effects), then takes the wheel on 1988’s "Them" (producer/engineer/mixer/keys) and "The Dark Sides". 1989’s "Conspiracy" and 1990’s "The Eye" seal the streak: clean cuts, cold reverb, and just enough fog to make the stories bite.

    Tracklisting:
    1. Eye of the Witch 3:47 (Diamond)
    2. The Trial (Chambre Ardente) 5:13 (Diamond)
    3. Burn 3:42 (Diamond)
    4. Two Little Girls 2:41 (Diamond)
    5. Into the Convent 4:47 (LaRocque - Shaw)
    6. Father Picard 3:19 (Blakk)
    7. Behind these Walls 3:45 (Diamond)
    8. The Meetings 4:31 (LaRocque)
    9. Insanity 3:00 (LaRocque)
    10. 1642 Imprisonment 3:31 (LaRocque)
    11. The Curse 5:42 (Diamond)

    KING DIAMOND - The Eye High Resolution & Quality Photos

    Front Cover Photo Of KING DIAMOND - The Eye
    King Diamond's 'The Eye' album cover featuring a demonic pendant with bat wings, a blue eye centerpiece, and a silver chain on a dark purple silk background with swirling textures.

    King Diamond - The Eye (Album Cover)

    This album cover features a striking and eerie design. The central element is a detailed pendant in the shape of a demonic figure with outstretched bat-like wings, small curved horns, and an intense, sinister expression. The figure's torso transitions into a large, piercing blue eye that appears almost lifelike, with a dark pupil and radiant iris. Surrounding the pendant is a long, twisted silver chain that loops across the cover, forming an uneven and erratic shape.

    The background consists of a rich, deep purple silk fabric with soft folds and waves, giving the image a fluid and surreal texture. The reflective highlights on the fabric create an illusion of movement, enhancing the supernatural feel of the artwork. The band's logo, "King Diamond," is prominently displayed at the top in a stylized white gothic font, complete with an inverted cross incorporated into the lettering.

    At the bottom, the album title, "The Eye," is written in an ornate white font that resembles classic heavy metal typography, standing out vividly against the dark backdrop. The overall visual aesthetic of the cover is dark, mystical, and evocative, perfectly capturing the album's haunting themes of horror and the occult.

    Photo Of The Back Cover KING DIAMOND - The Eye

    Back cover of King Diamond's 'The Eye' featuring a dramatic scene of a witch burning at the stake, surrounded by dark figures against an intense fiery background.

    King Diamond - The Eye (Back Cover)

    The back cover of The Eye depicts a haunting and dramatic scene of a witch burning at the stake. The central figure, a woman engulfed in flames, hangs limply, her dark silhouette contrasting against the raging fire that consumes the wooden pyre beneath her. The flames burst into the sky, illuminating the surrounding figures in eerie, flickering light.

    Encircling the execution are shadowy, ominous figures—some pointing, others seemingly chanting or observing the burning with grim satisfaction. The composition is filled with movement and tension, as the fire’s bright yellows and oranges blend into the surrounding darkness, creating an almost apocalyptic vision of persecution and horror.

    Overlaying this powerful artwork is the album's tracklist, split into two sections: "Side A" and "Side B," written in an elegant yet gothic typeface that enhances the album’s dark and historical themes. Below, the credits list key contributors, including King Diamond, Andy LaRocque, Pete Blakk, Hal Patino, and Snowy Shaw, along with production details.

    At the bottom, Metal Blade Records' logo appears, along with social media links and copyright information, grounding the album in its modern reissue format. The combination of historical horror and striking visual storytelling makes this back cover an unforgettable part of King Diamond's legacy.

    Photo of the custom inner sleeve KING DIAMOND - The Eye
    Inner sleeve of King Diamond's 'The Eye' featuring black-and-white band member portraits, historical context, special thanks, and musician credits in a gothic design.

    King Diamond - The Eye (Inner Sleeve)

    This inner sleeve of The Eye presents a stark and dramatic black-and-white layout. At the top, a row of five framed portraits showcases the band members: Hal Patino (bass), Andy LaRocque (guitar), King Diamond (vocals and keyboards), Pete Blakk (guitar), and Snowy Shaw (drums). King Diamond's portrait, positioned at the center, stands out with his iconic corpse paint and piercing gaze.

    On the left side, a gothic-styled text block provides historical context, explaining the album's inspiration from real events of the French Inquisition (1450-1670). It details notable figures, including Nicholas de la Reynie, Jeanne Dibasson, and Madeleine Bavent, setting the eerie tone of the album’s narrative.

    The middle section is dedicated to "Special Thanks," listing family, friends, and fellow musicians who contributed to or supported the album's creation. Names are densely packed, with bold subheadings highlighting key mentions. The text conveys appreciation for those involved in the band's journey.

    On the right, additional credits acknowledge production personnel, record labels, and endorsements, including BC Rich Guitars, Paiste cymbals, Ludwig drums, and Ernie Ball strings. The bottom section includes a call to visit King Diamond's official fan club website for more information and merchandise.

    The layout’s monochromatic scheme and gothic typography reinforce the album’s dark, historical themes, making this inner sleeve a fitting companion to the haunting music within.

    Photo of the custom inner sleeve KING DIAMOND - The Eye
    Inner sleeve of King Diamond's 'The Eye' featuring full album lyrics in gothic white text on a black background, with a sinister close-up of King Diamond's face in corpse paint.

    King Diamond - The Eye (Lyrics Inner Sleeve)

    This inner sleeve of The Eye presents the complete album lyrics in a hauntingly designed layout. The background is deep black, contrasting with the intricate white gothic-style text that dominates the page. Each song title is emphasized in a bold, stylized font, making navigation through the lyrics effortless.

    The left and central sections are densely packed with lyrical content, recounting the album’s dark, historical themes of the French Inquisition, persecution, and supernatural horror. The storytelling nature of King Diamond's music is evident, with detailed verses vividly painting eerie and unsettling imagery.

    In the lower-right corner, a striking visual element adds an ominous presence—an intense, close-up portrait of King Diamond’s face in his signature corpse paint. His eyes are piercing, and his expression exudes a sinister, almost demonic aura, reinforcing the album’s themes of darkness and mysticism.

    The bottom-right section also contains Metal Blade Records' branding, including the catalog number (3984-15316-1) and links to official social media channels. This design perfectly captures the essence of the album, blending chilling aesthetics with deep lyrical storytelling, making it an essential piece of the album's experience.

    Photo of record one KING DIAMOND - The Eye
    Side A of King Diamond's 'The Eye' vinyl record, featuring a black label with gothic white text, the band's logo, tracklist, and Metal Blade Records branding.

    King Diamond - The Eye (Vinyl Record, Side A)

    This image showcases Side A of The Eye vinyl record. The record’s label is black with white gothic-style text, maintaining the album’s dark aesthetic. At the top, the iconic King Diamond logo stands prominently, featuring the signature stylized font with an inverted cross integrated into the lettering.

    Directly below, the album title "The Eye" appears in an ornate, medieval-style typeface. The tracklist for Side A is clearly displayed, listing five songs:

    • 1. Eye of the Witch – 3:47
    • 2. The Trial (Chambre Ardente) – 5:13
    • 3. Burn – 3:42
    • 4. Two Little Girls – 2:41
    • 5. Into the Convent – 4:47

    On the left side of the label, the Metal Blade Records logo is displayed, consisting of a skull and crossed swords beneath the text "Metal Blade Los Angeles 1982." This signifies the band's association with the influential metal label.

    Additional copyright and manufacturing information is inscribed around the edge, stating that the record was produced under license from Roadrunner Records and marketed in the U.S.A. by Metal Blade Records. The catalog number, 3984-15316-1, appears at the bottom, confirming this as a 2014 reissue of the 1990 album.

    The label’s clean yet ominous design enhances the album’s mystique, making it a visually striking part of this heavy metal collector's piece.

    Photo of record two KING DIAMOND - The Eye
    Side B of King Diamond's 'The Eye' vinyl record, featuring a black label with gothic white text, the band's logo, tracklist, and Metal Blade Records branding.

    King Diamond - The Eye (Vinyl Record, Side B)

    This image displays Side B of The Eye vinyl record, featuring a black label with white gothic text. At the top, the unmistakable King Diamond logo stands out, with its signature stylized font and an inverted cross, reinforcing the band’s dark aesthetic.

    Below, the album title "The Eye" is presented in an elegant, medieval-inspired font. The tracklist for Side B is listed prominently:

    • 1. Father Picard – 3:19
    • 2. Behind These Walls – 3:45
    • 3. The Meetings – 4:31
    • 4. Insanity – 3:00
    • 5. 1642 Imprisonment – 3:31
    • 6. The Curse – 5:42

    To the left of the tracklist, the Metal Blade Records logo is displayed, featuring a skull and crossed swords with the inscription "Metal Blade Los Angeles 1982," marking the band's association with the legendary metal label.

    The copyright details encircle the edge, indicating that the record was manufactured and marketed in the U.S.A. by Metal Blade Records under license from Roadrunner Records. The catalog number, 3984-15316-1, confirms this edition as the 2014 reissue of the original 1990 album.

    The sleek, minimalist design of the label, combined with its stark contrast of black and white, perfectly embodies the haunting and occult themes that define The Eye.

    King Diamond Vinyl Discography: Iconic Album Covers and Releases

    KING DIAMOND - Abigail Netherlands RoadrunneR
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - Abigail Netherlands RoadrunneR 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

     RoadrunneR RR 9622 , 1987 , Netherlands

    First release of Abigail the photo of Andy La Roque on the right hand side of album back cover."Abigail" is the second "King Diamond" album and their first concept album, 1987 Roadrunner Records.

    Abigail Netherlands RoadrunneR 12" Vinyl LP
    KING DIAMOND - Abigail released by Music On Vinyl
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - Abigail released by Music On Vinyl 2014 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

     Music on Vinyl MOVLP1238 , 2014 , Made in EU

    Audiophile High Quality release of King Diamond album "Abigail". Released in 2014 on the record label "Music on Vinyl" with catalognr: MOVLP1238.

    Abigail released by Music On Vinyl 2014 12" Vinyl LP
    KING DIAMOND - Abigail II Black & White Splatter Vinyl
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - Abigail II Black & White Splatter Vinyl 12" 2LP Album front cover

    Metal Blade Records – 3984-14379-1 , 2012 , Germany

    Abigail II pressed ob Black and White Splatter Vinyl is the album by King Diamond and is plotwise a successor to the 1987 album Abigail. The cover art was done by Travis Smith, Metal Blade Records

    Abigail released by Music On Vinyl 2014 12" Vinyl LP
    Updated King Diamond and Black Rose – 20 Years Ago – A Night of Rehearsal 12 inch vinyl LP album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl
    King Diamond and Black Rose – 20 Years Ago – A Night of Rehearsal (Ltd Ed)

    “20 Years Ago – A Night of Rehearsal” captures King Diamond’s early roar before Mercyful Fate. Raw and unrefined, the recording hums with basement energy — smoke, feedback, and defiance. This limited edition of 500 copies bottles the rehearsal chaos that shaped Danish heavy metal’s theatrical edge and dark charisma.

    KING DIAMOND - Conspiracy European Releases
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - Conspiracy Netherlands Release 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

     RoadrunneR Records RR 9461-1 , 1989 , Netherlands

    "Conspiracy" is the concept album by King Diamond, being the second part of a story that begun on the album "Them". This is the Dutch ( The Netherlands ) pressing andwas released in 1989.

    Conspiracy Netherlands Release 12" Vinyl LP

    Conspiracy Made in West-Germamy 12" Vinyl LP

    KING DIAMOND - The Dark Sides - Heavy Metal From Denmark 12" Vinyl LP Album
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - The Dark Sides - Heavy Metal From Denmark 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

    Roadrunner RR 2455 , 1988 , Holland ( The Netherlands )

    "The Dark Sides" A rare 6 track vinyl EP by King Diamond. It was produced by: King Diamond, Roberto Falcao. This web-page has detailed information on each of the tracks on this vinyl record.

    The Dark Sides - Heavy Metal From Denmark
    KING DIAMOND - Fatal Portrait Netherlands Release
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - Fatal Portrait Netherlands Release 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

    RoadrunneR RR 9721 , 1985 , The Netherlands

    "Fatal Portrait" the debut album by Danish heavy metal band "King Diamond". Released in 1986 on Roadrunner Records. Listed are the difference of the first release "Fatal Portrait" and re-releases.

    Fatal Portrait Netherlands Release 12" Vinyl LP
    KING DIAMOND - No Presents for Christmas
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - No Presents for Christmas - 12" Maxi-Single Vinyl Record album front cover

    Roadrunner Records RR 125485 , 1985 , The Netherlands

    "No Presents for Christmas" the first record released by King Diamond band and is released 1985. The track is later made available as a bonus track on one of the later re-issues of "Fatal Portrait".

    No Presents for Christmas - 12" Maxi-Single Vinyl Record
    KING DIAMOND - The Eye incl OIS Netherlands Release
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - The Eye incl OIS Netherlands Release 12" Vinyl LP Record album front cover

    RoadrunneR RR 9346 , 1990 , Holland ( The Netherlands)

    "The Eye" a concept album by King Diamond released 1990. It continues to feature a major storyline such as other albums, though it is told differently. It is the only album with drum programming.

    The Eye incl OIS Netherlands Release 12" Vinyl LP
    KING DIAMOND - The Eye USA
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - The Eye USA Re-issue 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

    Metal Blade Records 3984-15316-1 , 1990-2014 , USA

    This is an re-issue of King Diamond's album "The Eye" pressed on 180 grams audiophile vinyl "The Eye" a concept album by King Diamond released 1990. It continues to feature a major storyline

    The Eye USA Metal Blade Records Re-issue 12" Vinyl LP
    KING DIAMOND - Them Netherlands
    Thumbnail of KING DIAMOND - Them Netherlands Release RoadrunneR 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover

     RoadrunneR RR 9550 1 , 1981 , Holland ( The Netherlands )

    This album "Them" is the third album recorded by the Danish Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal singer: "King Diamond". This release has been Manufactured in The Netherlands and Made in Holland

    Them Netherlands Release 12" Vinyl LP