Andy LaRocque Exits King Diamond After More Than 40 Years

After over four decades in the role, guitarist Andy LaRocque has left King Diamond. The band confirmed the split in a short statement that offered no details about the timing or reasons, simply noting, “Looking back, we do so with nothing but pride, gratitude, and respect for everything we have achieved together.”

LaRocque joined King Diamond in 1985, shortly after the singer launched his solo career, and became a defining element of the sound across classics like Abigail and “Them.” His neoclassical phrasing and melodic sensibility helped shape the band’s horror-laced heavy metal into something instantly recognizable. His absence marks the most significant lineup change the group has undergone since the early years.

The band has already named a new guitarist, signaling that King Diamond intends to continue without interruption. No further information about the transition or upcoming plans has been released. The statement’s tone was final but respectful, closing a chapter that had been open since the mid-1980s.