by Andy Hinds
Perhaps his best album since the classic Abigail, King Diamond's The Spider's Lullaby is another inspired goth rock opera containing some of his most melodic and tightly written songs. The album is produced in typical King Diamond fashion, with loads of layered vocals, creepy atmospherics and state of the art Eurometal musicianship from the band. Underrated guitarist Andy LaRocque delivers plenty of hair-raising neoclassical solos, and newcomer Herb Simonsen is no slouch himself. Check out &From the Other Side& for a slice of near-perfect King Diamond craftsmanship.