How can one man put out so many great albums? His fifth album in five years, and it's another great one. Apparently, this album wasn't well recieved by America, and it was in Europe. Big suprize!....not. This would be King's last solo album for a while, because lack of intrest in the band, Mercyful Fate rejoining, and bad record deals. That just shows us that everyone's tastes went down the gutter during the early 90s because this album is mind blowing and unmistakably King's work.
Instead of the typical King Diamond intro track, we go head first into some metal. We start of with "Eye of the Witch", which is a straight forward, stomping tune, with some nice keyboard work. King's vocals are in top notch. "The Trial" is another stright forward tune that's great for headbanging. There's some awesome soloing by Andy and Pete in here as well. There's even some borderline thrash riffage in here at times. "Confess witch!" *Insert guitar shred fest here* Very memorable stuff. "Burn" is after that, and this one is completely smokin'. Very catchy and very memorable. You'll notice increased keyboard work on this album, which is tastefully used. Contibuting another dimention to the music. "Burn in the night! You're the devils child!" What an infectious chorus. "Two Little Girls" is a haunting story track full of keyboards. Overall well done. "Into the Convent" is a nice speed metal track, that sounds like something that could have been on "Conspiracy". "Father Picard" is the first and only King Diamond song written by Pete Blackk. It's very melodic with some nice riffs, and some great falsetto vocal work done by King. "Behind These Walls" isn't quite as memorable and is probably the weakest thing on here, and it's still great. Even the mediocre parts of this album are well above average. "The Meetings" is a bit more pedestrian, but has nice riffs nonetheless. It also has a few time changes; making it a more complex song. "Insanity" is a great intrumental, mainly acoustic, interlude with some great lead guitar. ''Inprisonment" is another above average fast paced tune. "The Curse" really picks up in the middle and another great, catchy, and memorable song.
Very memorable. If you like King Diamond do not pass this one up as it is one of his best. This is the last of the mighty first five albums by him. After this one things wouldn't be quite the same, but let's leave that for other reviews. Highlights are....well, all of them. Eatch song is authentic King. RECOMMENDED.