King Diamond return to English shores. Dare you enter Saint Lucifer’s Hospital? Support comes from UK legends Paradise Lost and goth rockers Unto Others.
All words and pictures: Dominic Walsh
UNTO OTHERS
Unto Others are no strangers to Manchester. It’s a short few months since they were treading the boards at the O2 Ritz with Green Lung. Again, in support, they waste no time in blasting through a set that showcases the best of the band.
Plenty of cuts from 2024’s Never, Neverland make un their set. Butterfly and Suicide Today are a punchy pair evoking the bands penchant for the gothic. Jangling guitars and driving riffs propel the songs. Another cut from Never, Neverland is the brilliant Momma Likes The Door Closed. It is heavy and sees the band cutting loose. Gabriel Franco’s vocals are becoming instantly recognisable and Sebastian Silva flamboyantly lays down his lead and rhythm guitar lines.
There are plenty of punters in early to see Unto Others on a swelteringly hot night in Manchester. Give Me To The Night is one of Unto Other’s best tracks. At a notch under three minutes, it is a concise blast of punky gothic rock. Having notched up plenty of big tours over the past few years, Unto Others are on an upward trajectory. They deserve the recognition for the relentless graft they are putting in.
PARADISE LOST
Paradise Lost recently brought Jeff Singer back into the fold on drums, They are also gearing up for the release of their new album; Ascension. It is due on 19th September 2025 via Nuclear Blast.
Their set, in support of King Diamond, takes in plenty of markers across the Yorkshire rockers lengthy discography. Opening with Enchantment from Draconian Times gets things started well. Nick Holmes vocals take a minute to kick in; whether the mic was plugged in/turned up…who knows! When his vocal tones strike, the crowd responds in kind.
No Hope In Sight from The Plague Within is introduced in bleak fashion; “It sometimes feels like there isn’t a hope in sight.” remarks Holmes on current affairs and probably the stifling heat of the evening.
As the band deliver a very solid set, it is clear that they are enjoying being onstage – Steve Edmondson and Aaron Aedy form a formidable partnership stage right. Gregor Mackintosh cuts endless shapes as he lays down solos and crunching riffs next to Holmes. Jeff Singer holds time perfectly and when Just Say Words comes around, it is evident that it is like riding a bike for the Mancunian drummer – it is like he’s never been away.
Roll on 19th September and Paradise Lost’s new LP!
KING DIAMOND
King Diamond are a legendary band; it is clear from the audience that they are a band spanning generations with plenty of old school fans in, as well as younger ones. It is clear that the hulking ‘asylum’ has a design for bigger stages. Still, it is nice to see a big production on a ‘smaller’ stage, even though the Academy stage is relatively big.
Abigail’s coffin is front and centre. King Diamond enters and subsequently sacrifices the doll of Abigail to Funeral. Arrival follows, like it does on their 1987 album, Abigail. Completing a trio of entries from Abigail is A Mansion In Darkness. The front rows buzz of every shape, snarl and lick from the stage. King Diamond is/are seasoned performers that know how to please their fans.
To further cement the fan rapport, a brilliantly haunting version of Halloween sees the crowd singing back every word. All the while, King Diamond makes eyes with the front rows and cohorts around the stage flamboyantly. He takes a trip around the huge stage carrying lanterns and singing into his mic mounted on his traditional cross of bone.
SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
Sleepless Nights causes plenty to tune up the air guitars and Voodoo has the same effect. The latter is a real highlight. The sporadic riffs and calls of ‘Voodoo’ are real crowd pleasers.
Album interludes punctuate every few tracks. “It’s only a fucking doll!” says Diamond after someone makes comment about some of the stage hijinks. In between some tracks, there are people trying their best King Diamond vocal impression. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who can replicate such an iconic singer and his impressive range.
From the forthcoming album, King Diamond plays Spider Lilly. It has been in the world for around six months and sits excellently in the set. Prior to the track, Diamond says that the band are going to be finishing recording new King Diamond AND Mercyful Fate albums. Naturally, the crowd love this news.
Throughout the show, there are mask changes, ghouls of the night, plenty of hammy acting sequences bringing the songs to life. It is the kind of horror show you would expect from King Diamond. There is plenty still to come from this band; the prospect of so much new material is something to look forward to, and if you get chance to get to one of the shows on this tour, do not hesitate.
Listen to Spider Lilly from King Diamond here.
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