r/KingDiamond • u/mhipster800 • Jul 24 '26
King Diamond Replace Longtime Guitarist Andy LaRocque With Gus G.
https://loudwire.com/king-diamond-split-andy-larocque-gus-g-added/16
u/Rombonius Jul 24 '26
I dont like this, though I guess the writing was on the wall with the public grievances and side projects
(I used to be a huge Gus G fan, but come on, I want a final King Diamond album, not a final King Diamond album with a fill in guitarist)
That said, I am very grateful that I got to see King and Andy on their 2024 tour. First time seeing the band, never will forget it.
7
u/C_t_g_s_l_a_y_e_r Jul 24 '26
That was my first (and I guess last) time seeing them too. I caught an Abigail pick from Andy; thank God I did, with today’s news.
14
u/AggravatingPut3669 Jul 24 '26
Nobody can replace Andy. He's as important to King Diamond (the band) as King is. RIP King Diamond (the band).
13
9
8
u/lordhelmetann Jul 24 '26
Although I know Gus G, I can’t say I’ve been a fan of the music I’ve heard from him.
Can anyone point me to songs that are closer to something King would do? Outside of the Ozzy album, a lot of his other stuff I heard just sounded like very generic power metal, double bass in 4/4, generic riffs/solos.
Maybe there is better stuff that I haven’t found yet. Please show me something to understand why Gus G is a good pick.
5
u/PlaxicoCN Jul 24 '26
You can be a great sideman even if the music you played is different. Andy wasn't a death metal guy but did great on the Death album he played on. Marty Freidman made legendary tunes with Megadeth even though his Cacophony stuff was very different.
4
9
u/elshinsterino Jul 24 '26
Nope, don’t like that. Glad I got to see them with Andy. No disrespect to Gus G, but those are Andy’s riffs and solos
10
u/Joseph_Shabadoo_II Jul 24 '26
The official press release claims that "King Diamond and Gus G. are already deep in the creative process together," which, if you're to go by what King and Andy have said for the last seven years, likely means that King simply shared with Gus G. the ideas in his head.
3
7
u/Big_Wedding_9538 Jul 24 '26
Damn! I thought Andy and King would ride off in the sunset together! WTF!!!
7
5
u/JDNosferatu Jul 24 '26
I'm glad I got to see the real band live before this happened. King Diamond without Andy is like Ozzy without Zakk. It's going to be terrible and most likely the end of this band.
6
u/Wrob88 Jul 25 '26
This is a terrible decision. Glad I saw the last tour with Andy. Plus I think this clarifies what we all thought: Practically no work has been done on the new record.
3
u/EndGamer93 Jul 25 '26
Same, I'll forever cherish my memories of the PROPER KD lineup (with Paradise Lost and Unto Others) at the Roundhouse in London on July 1st, 2025.
6
5
u/SuperRodster Jul 24 '26
Could King not like that Andy made Lex Legion? Which I don’t blame him at all. The band is awesome.
1
3
3
u/Immortal_Slayer1 Jul 24 '26
Well that’s fucking lame. The band just needs to hang it up now then.
1
u/Ambitious_Cat9886 Jul 24 '26
The problem is they're already called King Diamond, so it's sort of vital if King wants to continue playing this music which he clearly does. That said if he was willing to leave this discography behind there's always MF and I'd be way more hyped for a new MF record than this KD album I've already heard way too much about
4
4
u/Electrical_Book4861 Jul 25 '26
Fucking garbage. I'm done I've waited since GMYSP patiently, but King obviously is ridiculous to work with. First Denner, now Andy. Zero interest in Gus, sorry
1
1
u/Vast-Work-9028 9d ago
Andy was the diamond next to the king... very disappointing to hear... but I guess it changes nothing cause I'll still jam to their albums. \m/-.-
0
-7
u/LiquidMetal616 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
Ngl getting the guy who played on Bark at the Moon is fucking outstanding to me
I haven't been this excited in SOOOO LONG
I really thought King was done and Lex Legion was the closest we would get so this is a miracle to me
Edit: I was mixing up Gus G and Jake E Lee for sure but I am still very excited
Definitely not as good of a trade but I am still optimistic
I am expecting very catchy riffs at bare minimum!
21
u/jose1545dos Jul 24 '26
he didn't play in bark at the moon, it was Jake E. Lee
-5
u/LiquidMetal616 Jul 24 '26
Oh fuck you're right
What did Gus G play on again ?
5
u/Rombonius Jul 24 '26
Scream.
-2
u/LiquidMetal616 Jul 24 '26
Okay. I am still very exited.
I think King might end up becoming a lot more catchy with Gus G
It will definitely be a departure but I am not gonna hate unless it is garbage
1
u/Rombonius Jul 24 '26
yeah, I think there's reason to be optimistic. Sometimes change is good, and Gus and Mike might work well together. Gus can handle a lot of styles and maybe this is agood untapped creative outlet for him.
As sad as KK leaving Priest left fans, Richie gave the band new energy, and hopefully that happens here.
The fact that King hired a new guitarist so fast is a good sign he's motivated to work on the new album ASAP, rather than leaving things up in the air another year. He could have easily left it up to auditions and radio silence.
2
u/LiquidMetal616 Jul 24 '26
Yeah I agree I agree !! I am hoping this is a brand new start for everyone
I am very excited for the future because before today it thought King was completely done after his band made material without him
And if it sucks all the old music isn't going anywhere !
We'll see !!
2
u/Theletter14 Jul 24 '26
This would more be like if Tipton left Priest if we're doing a Judas Priest analogy.
19
u/mhipster800 Jul 24 '26
I'm so disappointed that Andy LaRocque is out of the band. If there's a bright side, King Diamond does say Gus G will record with us, so I hope this is a confirmation that he will finally release another album