Legendary Danish artist Kim Bendix Petersen, known professionally as King Diamond has finally given fans a taste of new music with a song called “Masquerade Of Madness” after teasing new material early last year. In early 2018, according to previous mxdwn article, King Diamond spoke to Eddie Trunk on his SiriusXM radio show about finally releasing new music after a hiatus that has lasted over a decade.
The last album Diamond released was Give Me Your Soul Please in 2007 and he plans on coming back with a bang. The new song “Masquerade of Madness” is presumably a part of his upcoming conceptual album, which is said to have a storyline running over two albums, the first of which is rumored to come out later this year according to The PRP.
The album may be called The Institute, as Diamond is seen telling the crowd in Dokk’em that something he is working on will be called “The Institute.” It is unclear what is being called “The Institute” however, as, the recording starts just as he’s talking about it, while he is introducing “Masquerade of Madness.” According to Diamond himself the conceptual albums will take place in mental institution in the 1920s, as reported by Metal Sucks, so it seems highly likely The Institute might be the title for the new album.
The song was debuted at the Hellfest Open Air Music Festival in Clisson, France and showcases Diamond’s seriously impressive range. The song opens with Diamond’s low, growly voice belting “There is a girl named misery,” before transitioning into a voice so high it would make Panic! At the Disco frontman Brendon Urie jealous. The transition between the two vocal pitches is so jarring, but incredibly impressive, that it helps with the eerie, uneasy, vibe that the song is going for.
The chorus is sung in the higher octave and has the titular lyrics “Masquerade of Madness/ Masquerade of Sadness.” Diamond has stated in a few shows that the song is not for sale anywhere yet and is just being performed live. Of course, this has not stopped the song from being released outside of shows as it has been recorded and uploaded by countless fans for other fans to watch free through YouTube and other video streaming services and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Watch “Masquerade of Madness” get played live for the first time in France from one of those recordings made by a fan and uploaded to Facebook below.
Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat
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