Fire and Phantoms - King Diamond Deliver Heat and Horror in Manchester
- Aleksandra Hogg
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
Manchester Academy, 1st July 2025
IMAGES / WORDS ALEKSANDRA HELENA HOGG
Monday, the last day of June — probably the hottest day of the year. Would Manchester Academy burn like hell? We were about to find out.
I was thrilled to learn I’d get to see the guys from Unto Others again, who opened today’s show. This band has been in my top five favorites for a few years now. However, my excitement didn’t last long — something had to go wrong, of course. When you travel by train once in a million years, you’re bound to hit the one that won’t get you to your destination.
Unfortunately, after a delay of over an hour and a half, sweaty and stuck to everything from the heat, I finally arrived in Manchester. I made it just in time to catch the end of Unto Others, despairing the whole evening.
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is a fascinating band, both stylistically and in terms of their evolution. Over the years, they’ve carved out a strong place in the alternative music scene, winning a devoted fanbase worldwide. And no wonder — the band has worked hard: over 35 years, 16 studio albums, and another one on the way!
I’ve seen Paradise Lost six times now, maybe more. I’ve never been lucky with them — there have always been technical problems or a sick vocalist. I deeply respect the band and love revisiting their music on cozy autumn evenings, but they’ve never quite convinced me live. So how was it this time?
There were issues again — microphone problems — but they were quickly resolved. In Manchester, the band performed with “new-old” drummer Jeff Singer, who had returned after a long break. They were welcomed enthusiastically by fans and played a dream set filled with their best-known songs. Naturally, most of the lyrics were sung back by the crowd in unison.
I won’t lie — it was a brutal day because of the heat. The band practically melted on stage, but they handled it like pros. Paradise Lost has never been the most energetic band, but they know how to control a venue’s atmosphere. Toward the end, the torches on everyone’s phones lit up, making the moment feel magical.
Nick Holmes can work magic even in record heat — his cool voice was more effective than the venue’s air conditioning.
King Diamond
King Diamond — or rather Kim Bendix Petersen — is famous for his incredibly distinctive vocals and theatrical stage presence. He’s a metal legend who has inspired and united fans for generations. His work feels like a mix of horror stories and freak shows. This year, the band celebrates its 40th anniversary. Over the past four decades, fans have been treated to 12 studio albums, with the latest — the boldly titled Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920 — due out next year.
The Danish legend is known for his almost theatrical approach to concerts, and this show was no exception. The stage transformed into a haunted asylum, full of eerie props tucked into every corner. Center stage stood Abigail’s coffin, a direct reference to the 1987 album of the same name.
I’d never seen Diamond live before. I wasn’t really drawn to his work either, so I had no idea what to expect. But when “The Wizard” by Uriah Heep played, the freak show began — and that’s exactly what everyone had come for. Everyone wanted a taste of that signature King Diamond magic.
He entered the stage and treated the Abigail doll with shocking brutality. I won’t lie — goosebumps crept up my neck. I’m not a fan of creepy dolls, and the one in his hands looked very suspicious.
I was blown away by how energetic and well-coordinated the band was. You could feel the camaraderie on stage — the musicians truly worked as one. King Diamond also has an amazing relationship with the crowd. He reacts in real time to comments from the audience, which is rare.
What makes metal music feel so raw and real is the fact that it’s played 100% live — and you could feel that here.
The powerful vocals filled Manchester Academy, and while many in the audience tried to match the high notes, only a few even came close.
As the show went on, the theatrics ramped up. A dancer in a white dress carrying a lantern glided across the stage like a ghost. She later appeared as a haunted girl playing with (more scary) dolls and again as a masked woman.
It’s hard to describe this concert in words — it really has to be seen and heard live. Each song told a story, and the band brought those stories to life visually. It was a phenomenal show, full of unforgettable moments. This was more than a concert — it was a theatrical performance paired with remarkable musicianship.
The setlist included all the band’s greatest hits, to the delight of everyone: longtime fans and a new generation alike.
I can honestly say I left the concert amazed. Even though I’d never really been into King Diamond or Mercyful Fate before, I soaked up every second of the show in Manchester — and left rubbing my eyes in disbelief.
Setlist:
1/ Arrival
2/ A Mansion in Darkness
3/ Halloween
4/ Voodoo
5/ "Them"
6/ Spider Lilly
7/ Two Little Girls
8/ Sleepless Nights
9/ Out from the Asylum
10/ Welcome Home
11/ The Invisible Guests
12/ The Candle
13/ Masquerade of Madness
14/ Eye of the Witch
15/ Burn
Encore:
16/ Abigail
FOLLOW KING DIAMOND
Comments