KING DIAMOND „Deadly Lullabyes”

Music: Traditional Metal
Duration: 89.13 (20 songs)
Cool songs: first eight tracks!!
Website: www.metalblade.com

Not many bands elect to release a double live album. Not by choice anyway. Most are end of and/or get out of contract obligations. Typically, most of them blow. Only the very good bands should ever attempt a double live release. Fu Manchu actually got away with it with last years smoking ‘Go For it Live’, but really it’s only the classics that have any longevity – Slayer, Scorpions, Maiden, Purple and Lizzy! You can’t go wrong with them.

If ‘veteran status’ is any sort of qualification for releasing a double live disc then the King Diamond has a 20-year certificate. As an artist, King doesn’t come close to luminaries mentioned above; he’s more of an acquired taste. Yet, the man has released some killer albums, even making a return to form with last years ‘Puppet Master’. The ensuing tour has resulted in this 20-track affair ‘Deadly Lullabyes’.

Presented with choosing what must have been a set list nightmare, fans of the band should be fairly satisfied with the end product. Omitting any representation from four mid to late period albums (The Spiders Lullabye, The Graveyard, Voodoo and House of God), Deadly Lullabyes instead has a strong focus on both Abigail discs (the first eight tracks of disc 1), Them, The Eye and Puppet Master (for obvious reasons).

Sound wise, Deadly Lullabyes pretty much does the job. With Kings fine falsetto in full voice, and the interplay between axemen extraordinaire Mike Wead and Andy LaRoque, you’d be hard pressed to find any flaws in the live representation of the tracks featured here. Unfortunately, any King Diamond live disc will suffer in comparison to seeing the real thing, more so than most acts, as his stage shows are very theatrical, visual experiences. Watch for the DVD next? At 90 minutes, over 2 discs it’s possible that this might be a little thin song wise, however I’m sure most KD fans won’t be complaining once they see the track selection. Deadly Lullabyes is nice and all, but not essential.

note: 7.8/10

Tracklist

CD 1:
01. Funeral
02. Mansion in Darkness
03. The Family Ghost
04. Black Horsemen
05. Spare This Life
06. Mansion in Sorrow
07. Spirits
08. Sorry Dear
09. Eye of the Witch
10. Sleepless Nights

CD 2:
01.The Puppet Master
02. Blood to Walk
03. So Sad
04: Living Dead (outro)
05. Welcome Home
06. Invisible Guest
07. Burn08. Introductions
09. Halloween
10. No Presents for Christmas