Customer Reviews

Conspiracy

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To me, there are three essential King Diamond records: Abigail, Them, and Conspiracy. These three records comprise some of the best metal recorded in the late 80s. It's hard to put King Diamond, the band, in a category. This is metal for sure, but may not appeal to die-hard thrash/death/speed metal fans who shy away from melody and harmonies. That's not to say that this goes as far as Helloween or other such melodic-metal bands, but it's more towards that ballpark.

King Diamond, and these three records, work so well because of a perfect combination of great songwriting; inspired and extremely skillful playing; tight, well-rehearsed arrangements; and the chemistry and personality of the players. Mikkey Dee is one of the great unsung metal drummers. Andy LaRoque's hooks and flourishes are always a joy. Earlier and later King Diamond records suffer from the lack of at least one of these qualities, or from the lack of some of the personnel. Mikkey Dee, especially, is sorely missed in the post-Conspiracy era. The songwriting on the later records is lacking the great hooks of the Abigail/Them/Conspiracy triumverate (but, after 1990, songwriting for most metal bands changed in a way I did not like). Also, King's story conceptions on these three records have always seemed to me to be more inspired.

The bottom line is that there are plenty of people who are never going to like Kind Diamond. Either they're simply not into this kind of metal, or they can never get used to King's singing style. For my money, though, these three records are important, inspired, and a must-have.

This is for me the best KD release. This album marks a milestone in the KD's career. Here they committed to a more progressive and innovative sound (listen for example the tempo changes in "At The Graves", or the dynamics in "Sleepless nights") and finally succeeded in creating a metal masterpiece! So, they arrived with a second part of "Them" that is musically superior, but still heavy, aggressive, and full of mystery and power. I see this CD like one of the most elaborated rock concept albums of all times, in spite of its cover. The cover, well... this is the only think that I don't like of it - Actually, I didn't purchase it before because of that King Diamond ugly face showing the tongue: what at ridiculous stuff, man! However, this is a five stars album from head to tail. Please forget the cover and listen to the music: The drummer does a superb job, decorating each piece with a burst of beats that go there where they should go. Guitars keep being dark and scary, but the neoclassic touches on LaRocque's phrases give the soloing a breath of fresh air. Songwriting is great, and the bass lines are more than good... I think that I don't even need to mention KD's vocals: you know how this guy uses his voice and how sheer is his style!

Energetic and explosive, this is an album that you must not miss if you are serious about metal music. I don't want to say too much more: just go for it, and prepare to listen a mature and high-quality metal band at its best moment. I bet you'll enjoy it!

King Diamond has always put out terrific albums, but this album REALLY stands out among some of his BEST work EVER!!!!The Re-Mastered quality of this album only enhances the already perfect musical Masterpiece!!!This album is actually part #2 of the previous album:"THEM" (which is equally AMAZING musically!!) King, like on ALL his albums uses his incredible vocal range to portray different characters while telling a story of supernatural power,conpiracy,and finally...REVENGE!!!I originally bought this album back in the late 80's when it first came out, and the Re-Mastered sound quality is AMAZING!!! It really adds alot of NEW life to an already perfect album!! Andy La Rocque and Pete Blakk are not only AMAZING!! on the duel guitar work, but this IS probably some of the most Incredible Guitar work I have EVER heard on an album!!!They are absolutely AMAZING!!The song writing is definately some of the BEST King has EVER released!!!( Just take a listen to track:#4 "A Visit From The Grave" and you will see what I mean.This album includes 2 BONUS tracks at the end (which work really well with the rest of the album and were previously un-released). Vocally this is truely one of King's BEST!!(note for note he totaly "Nails It!" everytime!!!The instrumental introductions to some of the songs are beautifully written, and there is plenty of atmosphere on this album to keep you listening for years to come!! This is one of those albums I recommend you listen to with headphones (so you get to hear all of the effects and don't miss out on a second of the story!!) Great Singer,Great band line-up, great songwriting, great album period!!!What more could you ask for? 5 Stars is NOT enough for this album!!!! Please do NOT hesitate to purchase this album ,You will NOT be dissapointed!!(For NEW listeners though, I recommend listening to: "THEM" first so you get the whole story from beginning to end).King Diamond Rules and this is a good example why!!LONG LIVE THE KING!!and LONG LIVE METAL!!(PS:) Don't forget to check out King's Other albums in his catalog for more Amazing stories and excellent quality musicianship!! LONG LIVE THE KING!! and LONG LIVE METAL!!!!

To me there is no more gothic minded person than King Diamond. In the tradition of gothic artists: Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelly, Bram Stoker... King Diamond is the modern empitamy of what gothic really means. A song like "At the Graves" would make H.P. Lovecraft shiver. This album is wonderful as all of King Diamond's albums are, because King through his music has become the modern gothic story teller of our time. If you love gothic horror, or even horror in general pick up any King Diamond album, that catches your fancy. And listen, you might even learn something. The man is as intellectual as they come. Gothic Metal with a brain, that is what King Diamond performs.

For those of you who don't know this, "Conspiracy" is the sequel to "Them." If you have not heard "Them," do so before you listen to "Conspiracy." After hearing this record, I said to myself: "Hendrix who??? King Diamond is FAR BETTER!!!" For those of you who read my review on "Them," you know that I gave it 4 stars. When I picked up "Conspiracy," I wondered if the sequel would match the original. Within SECONDS that thought of mine was more than answered. The sequel was better! As wonderful as "Them" is, "Conspiracy" is more intense, more frightening, and more chilling." (One time I was listening to this record on a dark cold night; my father came up to my room; when he started to open the door, I jumped from my bed, grabbed a cross, and hid in the closet!) The lyrics in these tracks almost look like they were written by the great Christopher Marlowe himself. (Organized, intense, tightly unified, terrifying, fierce saracastic humor, and the occasional badly needed release of tension.) The music is no less than the perfect symphony for this masterpiece. I said this about "Them," and I will say it about "Conspiracy." This is far more frightening than any horror movie I have seen (with the exception of the Frank Langella's "Dracula" with Laurence Olivier as Abraham Von Helsing). King Diamond forgets the over blown effects and corny acting so he can deliver pure terror! CAUTION: If you are not used to this kind of music, read the lyrics in daylight before you listen to this record.

This was the first King Diamond CD I ever listened to. It is a continuation of the story on the album, Them, which is excellent as well. This album took me to another world of dark fantasy and gave me comfort during trying times in my life. For that I owe King Diamond a great debt. As a guitarist myself, I find the guitar work to be beautiful and flawless. If you're into guitar and even if you might not like the doom and gloom imagery, this album would be great for you. I was listening to a lot of stuff from Shrapnel Records at the time and the guitarists from King Diamond really blew that stuff away. This album will send chills down your spine (that is if you have one!) All metal heads need to hear this at least once.

I cannot possibly heap enough praise on this piece of exalted genius. This is easily one of the best five albums ever recorded (ABIGAIL, also by KD, is another), and it might even be THE best. It's as close to perfect as music can get. The songwriting is incredibly innovative and complex, yet hooky and catchy at the same time with some of the most awe-inspiring ever written. Also, if you're a guitarist and you don't own this album, then kick yourself for me because this CD is packed with incredibly intense, fast, and even beautiful lead playing by two of metal's finest (and tragically underrated) guitarists, Andy LaRocque and Pete Blakk. (Incidentally, Blakk hasn't been a member of this band for a long time, but his newest replacement, Mike Wead, is similarly outstanding.) Their lead playing here is worthy of Malmsteen or Vai, only LaRocque's and Blakk's solos are played on top of riffs that are far heavier and darker than anything those other guys have done. The bass and drums are also very strong, and King's voice is right on the mark, even though some people take a while to get used to his extreme range (he'll use a falsetto, then a deep growl, then mid-range, then falsetto again, etc.). As for the lyrics, they basically tell a story, much like a metallic opera -- anyone curious about them can, of course, find them on the web with any search engine. Finally, the production is flawless, with perfect sound quality throughout the album.

One caveat: King Diamond's stuff is pretty complicated and might not "sink in" right away, so don't judge it after listening to it only once. Listen to it a few times over a week or so, and then you'll be hooked forever.

In short, this album will blow your mind. If you are a metal fan and you don't own this, then you do NOT know what you're missing.

Wow! If you are a metal or guitar fan of any persuasion you must own this CD! This has got to be my all-time favorite "neglected gem" in the metal genre. Oddly enough, one of the least-selling and most obscure albums King has ever been involved in, including his Mercyful Fate material. I am an on-again, off-again musician and guitarist who listens to everything from bluegrass and Phish to Slayer and Miles Davis, and I must say that Andy LaRocque, although virtually unknown, is one of the best metal guitarists I've ever heard. Dynamic, precise, fluid and just plain scary, his brilliant soloing elevates this album to incredible Randy-Rhodes-like heights; while creating a cool, gothic dark atmosphere which complements King's unique and frightening imagery perfectly! The best part of this album is the fact that the lineup includes another great metal guitarist, Pete Blakk, especially since King's lineup on other albums is sometimes lacking. If you remember the melodic interplay between metal guitarists Adrian Smith and Dave Murray on Iron Maiden's landmark album "Pieces of Mind" you will understand my excitement. If you don't like King Diamond's voice, buy this anyway. If you have never heard Kind Diamond at all, buy this album; you don't need the rest. If you absolutely HATE King's voice (it is an acquired taste), buy this anyway-you won't be disappointed. If you are an old-school metal fan (you remember what it was like when people actually soloed) you must buy this album! Whew! Besides, with King Diamond, it's Halloween every day! ;)

This album is fantastic! It's one of my 10 Desert Island albums. I recommend this as the first King Diamond album.
It really should be called "Them 2" as it is a direct continuation of "Them." If you are to follow the story at all, you either need to listen to "Them" first, or at least read the lyrics. It's a simple story, well told, terrifying and tragic. My wife has banned all King Diamond albums from the family room because she said that "Them" gave her "daymares."
Every song on this excellent album stands on its own, which is not at all typical for a King album; typically there are a few songs that don't stand on their own but only advance the story and only sound good when you listen to the album top to bottom. This album sounds even better when you listen from start to finish.
King consistently finds great guitar players (with one exception, but Herb Simonsen doesn't play on this album). All KD albums have 2 guitar players. Andy LaRoque has been with King from the beginning, and the second guitarist always has a different style than Andy's so the solos are identifiable and different.
King's voice is always over the top, and to be honest I didn't like it at first but listened to the music because of the constantly wonderful guitar playing. As time went by, I came to love his voice and now beleive him to be the perfect frontman to his bands (the other is Mercyful Fate, I suggest "In the Shadows" and "Time" followed by "Don't Break the Oath.").
I love this album. Play it often, play it loud.

I THINK THAT KING DIAMONT SUCCEDED WITH THIS ALBUM TO CREATE ONE OF THE BEST THEATRICAL METAL HORROR EPICS. ADDING THE HELP OF ONE OF THE BEST METAL GUITARIST EVER TO SET FOOT ON EARTH (ANDY LA ROQUE)MAKES CONSPIRACY A TOP ALBUM, AND A GREAT KEEPER OF THE DIAMOND TRADITION. AFTER ALL HE DID CREATE SOME MASTERPIECES IN THE PAST (THEM-ABIGAIL). WE ALSO WITNESS A GREAT JOB ON THE FIELD OF PRODUCTION. I MYSELF LIKE ALL KINDS OF HARD MUSIC, BUT "THE KING" SEEMS TO HAVE A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.