Palace Theater, St. Paul, MN
Review and Photos by Brett Zisler
Few musicians can bring the excitement and haunting aura to a theater as the one and only King Diamond. St. Paul found itself as one of the lucky cities that saw King Diamond bring his North American “Institute” 2019 Tour to town. Fresh off the news of a new horror themed double concept album on the horizon in 2020, King Diamond proved he is more than ready for the road with no intentions of slowing down.
The Palace Theater of St. Paul, MN almost felt like the perfect venue to accommodate the enormous asylum style stage set that Kind Diamond brought on this tour. Complete with two different levels to where the band could roam, it appeared more than daunting to the packed crowd. Fittingly, the metal icon himself, King Diamond made his entrance as he was ushered out via hospital gurney. Rising almost like from the dead, King Diamond flipped to switch on the asylum wall and then grabbed his trademark, bone-cross microphone. The band then ripped through their classic “The Candle” as the crowd roared to the fan favorite.
It was impressive to say the least to see King Diamond work the crowd with the furvert and ease he does after all the years. He still knows what his legions of fans dressed in their Mercyful Fate & King Diamond shirts want to see. The look of conviction and satisfaction as the coffin with “Abigail” was wheeled before King Diamond was fitting. A crowd-pleasing part of the show he has conducted for years as he went into “Arrival” and other classics like, “Halloween” & “A Mansion in Darkness.” One of the many highlights of the show included King Diamond playing his new song “Masquerade of Madness” to the delights of the fans of St. Paul.
As the set closed out with “Burn” & “Black Horseman,” one thing is for certain, 2020 is shaping up to be a big year for King Diamond. With the new horror themed doubled album due along with headlining sets with Mercyful Fate at some of the biggest festivals in Europe, its safe to say we can plan to see and hear the King back in Minnesota soon.
SEE MORE OF BRETT's KING DIAMOND PHOTOS HERE!
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