King Diamond has addressed fan criticism regarding the lengthy delay of his new solo album. He responded to comparisons with Tool’s notoriously long album cycles in an interview with Louder Sound.
The metal icon’s response came after being asked about the eighteen-year gap since his last solo release and fan complaints on social media.
Fans were getting impatient and one Facebook user complained that “Even Tool didn’t take this long.” King Diamond revealed the serious health challenges behind the delay when questioned about this.
“Oh my god. There have been so many setbacks,” he said. “Everybody is complaining. I’m getting impatient, too. But there are things nobody knows. I could have died three times since 2010.”
The musician went on to detail the severity of his health issues.
“In hospital, at one point my blood pressure was more than three hundred… they couldn’t even measure it,” he explained. “The doctor said: ‘You should not be here.’ And there were three similar episodes. After another example, a heart doctor told me: ‘Had you gone to Germany on tour [as planned] you would definitely be dead.’ For a while I was uncertain whether or not I could tour again.”
King Diamond’s health struggles have been a recurring theme throughout his career. They have significantly impacted his ability to create and perform music consistently.
Blabbermouth reported that King Diamond underwent triple bypass surgery in 2010. The surgery profoundly affected his career and outlook on life. The surgery left him confronting his own mortality and changed how he approached his music and creative process.
More recently, Metal Storm revealed that King Diamond has been battling a herniated disc in his spine. This condition forced him to cancel a planned North American tour. His doctors prescribed absolute rest, and he remains unable to perform at full capacity. This further delayed his work on new material.
The Danish metal legend’s perfectionist approach to his craft has also contributed to the extended timeline. Chaoszine noted that King Diamond has expressed his desire to ensure that his next release represents the best material he has ever created. He refuses to rush the creative process despite mounting pressure from fans.
King Diamond has maintained his commitment to delivering quality music to his devoted fanbase despite these setbacks. His last solo album, “Give Me Your Soul…Please,” was released in 2007. This makes the upcoming release one of the most anticipated albums in heavy metal.
