Andy La Rocque of King Diamond Plans Release of New Album in 2026
Andy La Rocque, the guitarist for King Diamond, recently provided an update on the band’s highly anticipated horror trilogy during an interview with “Reckless” Rexx Ruger on the Pod Scum podcast. The first part of the trilogy, titled Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920, is currently slated for a potential release in 2026, although La Rocque remains cautious about this timeline.
La Rocque expressed optimism about the project, stating, “I really hope so. That’s our goal. We have most of the songs. I sent them to King Diamond about four years ago, and we decided to use three of them. We even played one live,” La Rocque revealed. He further explained that King Diamond needs to write five more songs, but once that is done and arranged, they can proceed with recording the album. La Rocque remains hopeful that they can continue working on the project soon and potentially have it ready for release by the end of the year.
When asked about his approach to playing new material as a guitarist for King Diamond, La Rocque highlighted the differences between writing his own songs and contributing to King Diamond’s music. He discussed how King Diamond typically provides specific instructions on how he wants the songs to be played, which influences La Rocque’s playing style. However, when it comes to his own compositions, La Rocque prefers to follow his instincts and play what feels right for the song, focusing on creating melodies that complement the overall composition.
In a separate interview with the Heavy Demons radio show, La Rocque elaborated on the band’s songwriting and recording process. He detailed how he creates comprehensive demos with programmed drum tracks, keyboards, and rhythm guitars, aiming to capture the essence of the songs. King Diamond’s involvement in the recording process varies slightly, with La Rocque often re-recording guitars and adding solos before passing the tracks to the rest of the band for recording.
The collaborative nature of King Diamond’s songwriting process allows for flexibility and creativity in adding or changing elements as needed. Each band member contributes their part to the overall composition, with King Diamond finalizing the vocals once the instrumental tracks are completed. This methodical approach ensures that each song is fully realized and captures the intended atmosphere and feel envisioned by the band.
Overall, Andy La Rocque’s updates provide insight into the meticulous and collaborative process behind creating new music for King Diamond. With a focus on capturing the essence of the songs and emphasizing melodic elements, the band’s approach ensures that each composition is crafted with care and attention to detail. Fans can look forward to the release of Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920 in 2026, as the band works diligently to bring their long-awaited horror trilogy to fruition.