King Diamond fans have been waiting a long time for new music, and it looks like the wait will be finally coming to an end in the next 12 months (hopefully). The band's guitarist Andy La Rocque recently spoke to The Metal Podcast about the progress of the songwriting sessions for their long-awaited new album, titled The Institute.
La Rocque said that the band has a number of songs already written, and that they're hoping to release the album next year. He also said that they're planning to tour in support of the album.
"We might be able to come out next year for something. I can't really tell you when or where, but we're checking the possibilities to really come out with something next year, definitely."
When asked if he meant a new music release or a tour, La Rocque replied, "A tour. And with the songs. I mean, we're working on that. We have songs. I sent King a bunch of songs, like, a year and a half ago, and we started working on them, like arrangement-wise and all that."
La Rocque also said the band's work on the album was interrupted by Mercyful Fate's summer tour in Europe and the US, but the work on the record will resume soon.
"Mercyful Fate are gonna record like a single or two, I believe," La Rocque said. "And as soon as they're done with that, we're gonna go back and pick up where we ended with King Diamond, all the King Diamond songs that we have. And then, of course, King's going to write his share of the songs too, and all the lyrics and stuff. So it's a long procedure. But we have started."
The Institute is sure to be one of the most anticipated heavy metal albums of 2024, though it was also one of the most anticipated records of 2023 as well (including an insane tour). Stay tuned for more updates from the band in the coming months.
