KING DIAMOND  (Interviewed on January 23, 1999)

ME: MERCYFUL FATE did a lot of gigs in South America and in USA until September '98. Could you tell your global impression concerning this impressive American tour?

KING: MERCYFUL FATE toured in Brazil and Chile Jan. and Feb '98, which was absolutely amazing. I can't wait to go back. After that KING DIAMOND toured in the USA in April, May and early June, which overall turned out to be one of our most succesful tours, with one of the best stageproductions we have ever had. This KING DIAMOND tour was also the longest US-tour we have done, performing 37 shows. Next, MERCYFUL FATE went on their longest US-tour (32 shows) during August and September, bringing a brand new stageproduction, which in my opinion was perfect for MERCYFUL FATE. There were too many outstanding experiences during these tours to mention.

ME: I heard that you played the song "Melissa" on stage. I think it's the first time you play it. Why haven't you played this fabulous song before?

KING: Yes, MERCYFUL FATE played, for the first time ever on tour, the song "Melissa" fromtheir first full length album of the same name. I don't know why we have never played that song on tour before. Just one of those crazy things.

ME: Do you plan to play in Europe ( and especially in France!! ) with King Diamond or Mercyful Fate for 1999?

KING: The plans for the year 1999, and these are only PLANS, are as follows: the 15th of February MERCYFUL FATE will start recording their 9th full length album, which should be released somewhere around late May early June. At the same time a MERCYFUL FATE european tour, consisting of festivals and individual headline shows, should be taking place. That tour is in the process of being booked at this time. August-September could be a US-tour for MERCYFUL FATE. About mid October-1st November KING DIAMOND should be in the studio recording until late December. That new KING DIAMOND album should be ready for release early spring year 2000, at which time a lengthy World Tour should start. Again these are plans, and sometimes plans change.

ME: The bands King Diamond & Mercyful Fate have released about 20 albums (including live album and compilation) and 6 or 7 video clips since 16 years. And no official video tape has been produced! It's quite strange. What's the problem ?

KING: The question about releasing an official video tape should be addressed to the record labels (ME: it's done :) . At this time none of them have shown any interest in this matter.

ME: I heard that there are other unreleased songs (like a Led Zep. cover, perhaps old demo materials, some live or studio recordings). Do u plan to insert these songs in a future album as bonus tracks?

KING: Regarding unreleased songs, I don't personally know of any. The bonus tracks on ROADRUNNER remasters were found by pure coinsidence.

ME: Would you like to invite a guest star to sing with you on a King Diamond or Mercyful Fate song?

KING: I like to do all vocals myself, and have no interest in singing a duo with someone else.

ME: Have you already worked on a new album? Could you tell what are the direction of it?

KING: See the previous answer. AND I personally guarantee that it will be HEAVY!!!!!!!!!

ME: We read in some magasines (9 years ago) that you wrote the story of an horror movie called "Bogs". True?

KING: I did not write the story for the movie "Bogs", which by the way was never made, but I was asked to do some music for it. Some of the investors didn't come through, and so for financial reasons the project never materialized.

ME: - 10 years ago, you used to say you were philosophically near from La Vey's satanism. What are your philosophical & religious opinions, today? - Do you know that La Vey's Satanic church actually asks $100 to the people who wanna be church's members? They pretend that it will help the members to prove their real determination to become a member! What do you think about that. There is what they say : " (...) . By having the membership card ($100) you show and prove that you have at least taken the first step towards an honestly Satanic life (...). "   I think that it's closest to sect's stratagem, isn't it?

KING: - My philosophical and religious beliefs are the same today, as they have allways been. - I was given eternal membership to the Church Of Satan by Anton La Vey personally, and have no interest or opinion as to
how the church is run financially.

ME: Have you already visited Internet?

KING: I am not hooked up to Internet, and probably won't be for the next many years.