There once was a heavy metal band called King Diamond...

So happy I went out to see them on tour a few years back. Sucks but he also made the band his life for several decades so I understand wanting to step back at his age

I think he got tired of waiting for King Diamond to finish song writing for the new album.

When asked by journalists, he diplomatically responded that "no one knows" when King will finish writing.

Which partly explains the Lex Legion venture.

Fucking hell. Well, that's the confirmation that the new album, if we ever get, will suck.

That’s incredibly disappointing

Big mistake losing Andy. I’m a fan of Gus too, but this move is retarded. Gus doesn’t fit the King Diamond vibe. Reminds me of Motley Crue hiring John 5.

I tried to see King Diamond 2 times, 20 years apart, and he cancelled both shows. I guess I'll never see him properly with Andy.

Any idea why he cancelled? Seems unlikely it’d happen twice in the same area.

'Big mistake losing Andy.'

Huge mistake. Andy was the most consistent factor for the King Diamond brand. Even when the songwriting entered a lull, Andy was still sharp as fuck with those tasty solos. Voivod is exactly right - who in their right mind wants to wait around for this guy? I gave up on the new album years ago.

It's not just the new album, it's also the badly needed Abigail/Them remasters; band revamped The Spider's Lullaby, a great but second-tier album, and there was radio silence hitherto.

Smells like communication breakdown, among other predicaments (dire state of music industry etc.).