King Diamond “Saint Lucifer’s Hospital Tour” Arizona
Heavy Metal is alive and well in Phoenix, Arizona. The Van Buren was pretty packed for a Monday night visit from the falsetto king. King Diamond!
Let’ s ease into this week night visit, by talking about Night Demon. I had no idea what to expect as I haven’t heard of them before the drive down to the venue as I streamed their music for the ride. First off I absolutely love a heavy 3 piece that fills the venue with sound and stage presence.
Night Demon took the stage like seasoned vets, the crowd and myself loved them.
Songs like the Howling Man and Night Demon are ones you should check out if you’ve never heard of them before. Next time I see them I’m sure they’ll be headlining their own show.
NIGHT DEMON members are Javis Leatherby (vocals, bass), Armand J Anthony (guitar), Brian Wilson (drums).
Next up was the Heavy Metal staple Overkill, formed in 1980. I gotta say as a young skater kid, Overkill tapes were always blasting on the boombox at the local half pipe sessions. Mosh pits were strong and security was working overtime, keeping everyone safe and having a good time.
As classics like “Bring Me the Night” and “Ironbound ” got the crowd going. The band mixed in some new music from their latest release featuring the title track Scorched and the Surgeon. The band is truly timeless and Bobby Blitz continues to impress and is just as fun on stage. Overkill are truly journeymen of the craft that is Thrash. I’m always excited to see them.
OVERKILL members are Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (vocals), Dave Linsk (lead guitar), Derek Tailer (rhythm guitar), Carlo “DD” Verni (bass), Jeramie Kling (drums).
At long last it was time for the King to take the stage with all the production and the chops to match. The legendary metal icon’s performance was a chilling masterpiece, thrilling long-time fans with his signature theatrics.
I’ve seen King Diamond countless times and this night, like all the others, proved that King Diamond’s voice remains as heavy, sharp, and menacing as ever. The opening trio of Arrival, “A Mansion in Darkness“, and the spine-tingling Halloween set the stage for a truly haunting experience. Andy LaRocque’s impeccable riffs and solos elevated the performance to new heights..
The night’s energy soared as “Myrkur” Amalie Bruun was a treat providing backing vocals and the dynamic Jodi Cacha took the stage. Cacha’s electrifying stage presence and wicked expressions were a highlight, adding a fierce energy to every performance. Her badassery was undeniable, as evidenced by her eye-catching stage attire.
King Diamond closed the show with a powerful rendition of “Abigail” showcasing his unique falsetto and leaving the audience spellbound. If you ever have the chance to witness this legendary performance, don’t miss it.
KING DIAMOND members King Diamond (vocals, hellraiser), Andy LaRocque (guitar), Mike Wead (guitar), Pontus Egberg (bass), Matt Thompson (drums), Myrkur (backing vocals), Jodi Cacha (dance, interpretations)
Photos and Review by Mike Bengoechea
Produced by Live Nation