- Incl. Original Custom Inner Sleeve
"The Eye" is a concept album by King Diamond released in 1990. It continues to feature a major storyline such as other King Diamond albums, though it is told differently. It is the only King Diamond album to utilize drum programming.
In the smoldering twilight of 1990, as the hairspray fumes of the '80s gave way to the flannel-clad grunge of a new decade, King Diamond emerged from the crypt with "The Eye," a gothic rock opera that dared to gaze into the abyss of human depravity and emerge, bloodied but unbowed.
This wasn't just another heavy metal album. This was a sonic nightmare, a descent into madness and despair, and yet, within the darkness, there was a glimmer of grotesque beauty, a macabre dance of the damned that was both horrifying and exhilarating.
"The Eye" tells the story of Jonathan La Fey, a young man who stumbles upon a sinister antique shop and finds himself ensnared by a malevolent entity. The album follows La Fey's descent into madness as he battles demonic forces, his sanity unraveling with each passing moment. But it's not just the narrative that captivates listeners, the album delves into real historical events, weaving elements of the French Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials into the story, adding a layer of chilling realism to the fantastical tale.
Musically, "The Eye" is a masterpiece of heavy metal theatrics. King Diamond's falsetto screams pierce through the darkness like a banshee's wail, while the guitars churn out riffs that are both menacing and melodic. The drum programming, a departure from the band's usual live drums, adds a mechanical, almost inhuman element to the sound, perfectly complementing the album's dark themes. The decision to use programmed drums was met with mixed reactions from fans, but it undoubtedly contributed to the album's unique and unsettling atmosphere.
The production, helmed by King Diamond himself, is crystal clear, allowing every detail of the music to shine through. The album was recorded at Dallas Sound Lab, a studio known for its work with heavy metal bands, and the result is a sonic landscape that is both expansive and claustrophobic, perfectly mirroring the emotional turmoil of the story. This attention to detail extends to the album's iconic cover art, featuring a grotesque close-up of an eye, which has become synonymous with the album's dark and disturbing themes.
"The Eye" wasn't without its controversies. The album's dark subject matter and graphic imagery drew criticism from some quarters, but for fans of King Diamond, this was simply another facet of the band's artistic vision. In fact, the album's controversial nature only served to solidify its status as a cult classic, embraced by those who appreciated its unflinching exploration of the macabre.
Death Metal, Heavy Metal
RoadrunneR RR 9346
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
1990 Made in Holland
This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with lyrics of the songs and portrait photos of the King Diamond band members
Roberto Falcao - Producer
King Diamond - Producer
Andy La Rocque - Producer
Flemming Hansson - Sound Engineer
Roberto Falcao - Sound Engineer
This album was recorded June-July-August 1990 at: Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark
Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark is a Danish music recording music in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is owned by Flemming Hansson and Flemming Rasmussen (producer of Metallica albums).
Jorgen Bak - Cover Art, Photography
Thomas Holm - Artwork artist
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".
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
Orvar Thunstrom is a skilled and respected photographer primarily known for his contributions to the music industry, particularly within the realms of rock and Heavy Metal. His work has graced album covers, promotional materials, and live concert photography, showcasing his ability to capture the dynamic energy and raw intensity of musicians in their element. Thunstrom’s distinct photographic style often emphasizes dramatic lighting, vivid contrasts, and an intimate connection with his subjects, allowing him to bring out the personality and essence of the artists he photographs.
King Diamond - Vocals, keyboards
Andy LaRocque - Guitars
Pete Blakk - Guitars
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. During his long musical career he has performed in many different bands, a list (in no particular order) of the bands in which "Snowy Shaw" has performed: Cans, Dark Embrace, Denner / Shermann, Dimmu Borgir, Dream Evil, Firegod, Illwill, Kee Marcello's K2, King Diamond (DNK), Loud 'n' Nasty, Mad Architect, Memento Mori, Mercyful Fate (DNK), Notre Dame, Snömannen & Hans Vänner, Snowy Shaw, Snowy Shaw and the Star-Spangled Banned, XXX.
Roberto Falcao - Keyboards
This album cover is for King Diamond’s album The Eye. The design features a surreal and darkly atmospheric aesthetic. The focal point is a sinister, winged demon-like figure with a bat’s wings and an open eye embedded in its torso, hanging from a chain. The background is dominated by a swirling, purple silk-like texture, adding a mysterious and eerie feel. The band’s iconic logo, featuring a gothic font and bat imagery, appears prominently at the top in white. The album title, “The Eye”, is displayed in a stylized white script at the bottom. The overall design reflects the album’s conceptual and theatrical themes, characteristic of King Diamond’s dark storytelling and haunting music.
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The in yellow boxed areas highlight the text which help to identify this release of the record. These yellow boxes have been drawn on the images and are NOT on the actual label. Record Label Details: RoadrunneR RR 9346 1 LC 9321 08-030280-20-1
The in yellow boxed areas highlight the text which help to identify this release of the record. These yellow boxes have been drawn on the images and are NOT on the actual label. Record Label Details: RoadrunneR RR 9346 1 LC 9321 08-030280-20-2
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
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. Produced by Robert Falcoa and King Diamond.
Abigail released by Music On Vinyl 2014 12" Vinyl LP
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
Metal Blade Records /Archaic Temple Productions Treasure 003 , 2004
This album "KING DIAMOND AND BLACK ROSE - 20 Years Ago - A Night Of Rehearsal" In fact it is a rehearsal tape of a pre-Mercyful Fate band featuring King Diamond on vocals, named Black Rose.
20 Years Ago - A Night Of Rehearsal 12" VINYL LP
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
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
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
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
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
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
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