KING DIAMOND — The Eye (review)

Album · 1990 · Heavy Metal

3.5/5 · 2011-03-10
Stooge

Witchcraft!!

The story is perfect subject matter for a King Diamond horror story. The listener is treated to tales from the French Inquisition circa 1642, with the characters being real people from the time period. The tone of the album suits the story well, with keyboards being prominent in several of the album’s tracks courtesy of Roberto Falcao (and some by King), working to great effect in setting the haunting atmosphere of “The Trial”, “Two Little Girls” and, of course, the popular “Eye of the Witch”. The drumming on this album is very dry sounding (some sources say it’s a drum machine rather than Snowy Shaw), which sounded odd to me at first, but actually sounds rather interesting.

The Mercyful Fate guitar tandem of Shermann and Denner seem to get a fair amount of attention, but the duo in King’s late 80’s solo material of Pete Blakk and Andy LaRocque often is overlooked. Their lead playing on The Eye is very stylistic and highly memorable. Even some of the album’s weaker material (“The Meetings” being my least favorite) is boosted by top-notch six-string work. The duo even gets an instrumental showcase with the bright, semi-acoustic “Insanity”.

In King Diamond’s massive discography, The Eye doesn’t quite stand out as a highlight, but I’d still call it an excellent album that should please many fans of traditional/power/prog metal.

more than 2 years ago
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bonnek wrote:

more than 2 years ago

A drum machine? I'll have to listen again as spotting drum machines is one of my favorite past-times :-)
One of my King favs, but it's a while I listened.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yep it was Morten Nielsen from Furious Trauma ( at the time) and now of the infamous Red Warszawa.

Vic wrote:

more than 2 years ago

You know, I'm having second thoughts on the Mercyful Fate, cause what you said rings a bell. Definitely sure on The Eye though...

Stooge wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I thought the drumming on In The Shadows was done by a session guy (Morten Nielsen). Either way, thanks for the info.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

One of my favorite King Diamond albums and the peak of his career IMO. Easily a 5 star album for me. I agree with Vic that "The Eye" was the last truly great album by King Diamond.

Vic wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Actually, it *is* a drum machine. It is quite obvious (same for Crimson Glory's Transcedence btw) and it was confirmed by Messiah Marcolin, who on an interview for Memento Mori's Rhymes of Lunacy (1993), where Snowy Shaw plays, he addressed this. He said that Rhymes of Lunacy was Snowy's first real studio recording and that it was a drum machine in both The Eye *and* Mercyful Fate's In the Shadows.

Nice review. I would rate it 4.5 stars actually and I think it marks the last truly GREAT album by King Diamond. Never reached this level after this album. Favourite song is Behind These Walls.