King Diamond recently explained his decision to bring in Gus G as the permanent guitarist for his band following the departure of longtime guitarist Andy La Rocque. He shared details in an interview with Metal Injection. The singer discussed the split with La Rocque. He explained it was a gradual process due to differing directions rather than a sudden conflict. He also shared how he eventually connected with Gus G.
“We are certainly still friends,” King Diamond said. “That’s never gonna change. I think it’s a gradual thing that’s just been going different directions for a while. And it got to a point where it’s just, like, ‘Okay, something has to change. It’s not right.’ I wish him and his wife all the best possible in the world. The whole thing about the other band that he plays with now [Lex Legion], the side project and stuff like that, it was never a part of any reasons for anything.”
He went on to explain that the decision had been building up over time, particularly regarding the band’s intensive touring schedule.
“When it was decided was over two days,” he continued. “[But] it [had] been coming for a while. And it’s not one thing or ‘you said this’ or ‘did this or that.’ It’s not like that. It really is like moving apart a little bit here, a bit there. And I had a feeling recently that when Andy heard the new touring plans and the new plans overall, that it was not something that was, ‘Yay,’ but more like, ’Oh my God. Are you kidding me?’”
“I don’t think he likes touring that much as we’re doing now. I’ve seen that many times before, where [Mercyful Fate guitarist] Michael Denner stopped [playing with the band] because he could not handle touring. There was too much frictions at home whenever he did that. For him, he was missing it too much and all this stuff. I totally understand it.”
King Diamond noted that other former band members had left for similar family-related reasons as the band’s tours grew longer.
“I think others — [former King Diamond bassist] Chris Estes was the same,” he added. “And [former King Diamond guitarist] Herb Simonsen… Most of those people that are not playing or stopped playing with us along the road was for that reason — family. We tour longer now these days, and we are gonna continue going that way because it’s very, very important.”
He then detailed how Gus G was recommended to him by Mercyful Fate guitarist Hank Shermann and Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel.
“I talked to Hank [Shermann, Mercyful Fate guitarist] and told him [that I was looking for a new guitarist to replace Andy in King Diamond], and then he said, ‘You should check out Gus G’,” King Diamond explained. “And I did not know who Gus G was. [Metal Blade Records founder and CEO] Brian Slagel said to me, ‘Oh, Gus G, man.’ And then I didn’t respond to it because I wasn’t aware. So he was the second one recommending Gus to me. And then when we talked more about it and this and that, then I started listening and doing all the stuff that I got very interested, of course.”
The band ultimately decided to approach Gus G directly without holding auditions.
“He’s the first person we talked about for this,” he concluded. “We never talked about having an audition or anything like that. We talked about him, and then got in depth about him because it seemed, ‘Wow, wait a minute here. Okay.’ Then I said to Brian Slagel, ‘Can you hook us up? Can you ask him if he would be okay with me calling him?’ or something like that.”
This transition marks a major new chapter for King Diamond as they prepare for future touring and releases.
This lineup change represents a significant shift for the band, given the long history of its departing guitarist. Andy La Rocque joined King Diamond in 1985. He remained a core member for over four decades. He contributed to all of the band’s classic albums. He also helped define their signature theatrical heavy metal sound. Outside of his work with King Diamond, La Rocque has been active with his side project Lex Legion. He also operates Sonic Train Studios in Sweden, where he works as a producer and engineer.
Gus G brings a wealth of high-profile experience to his new role as permanent guitarist. The Greek guitar virtuoso gained international recognition as the leader of his power metal band Firewind. He also served as the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne from 2009 to 2017. During this time, he performed on the album Scream and played on major stages worldwide. His technical proficiency and melodic style make him a natural fit for King Diamond’s complex arrangements.
The transition comes as King Diamond prepares for a busy future. The band has been working on their highly anticipated studio album, The Institute. This will be their first new record in many years. This upcoming release and the accompanying extensive tour plans require a dedicated live lineup capable of handling demanding schedules.
With Gus G now officially in the fold, the band is poised to embark on this next chapter. The new guitarist is already touring with the group, bringing fresh energy to their classic catalog. Fans can expect a seamless transition as the band continues to bring their horror-themed heavy metal show to audiences around the world.
