Several decades ago, a young Danish man named Kim Bendix Petersen created a stage persona for himself named King Diamond. While it may seem pompous to deem yourself royalty, the talent he displayed and the trajectory his career took afterward was, and still is, nothing short of legendary. When you stop to examine the whole thing, there really is only one logical explanation for how King Diamond came to be who he is—a Faustian pact with Lucifer himself. God tried to kill King Diamond in 2010 with SEVERAL heart attacks. After a triple bypass surgery, some time off, plus a few special appearances and guest spots here and there, he’s back on the road gearing up for his 13th solo release, The Institute. You know how he’s been able to be so talented, influential, and prolific? Hail Satan, and long live King Diamond! by Aris Hunter Wales