King Diamond guitarist Andy LaRocque recently opened up about how his approach to playing and writing guitar solos has evolved, particularly why he has largely moved away from ultra-fast lead parts in favor of more melodic playing.
In the world of guitarists, many often fall into two camps: those who focus on technical speed, and those who emphasize emotional expression and tone, often in the style of someone like David Gilmour. During the 1980s, LaRocque was known for his technically wild solos on King Diamond’s early albums. However, as the years passed, he began scaling back on speed, opting instead for more space and feel in his lead sections.
In a new interview with Guitar World, LaRocque reflected on this evolution, admitting that the older material he and the band created was a bit “crazy” in terms of speed and complexity. Discussing the current Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920 Tour, which includes new songs and classic hits, Andy shared what it’s like returning to those demanding parts after a five-year gap.
“We start with ‘Arrival’ from Abigail, which is a great song,” he said. “I would say some other favorites would be ‘Sleepless Nights’ or ‘Eye of the Witch.’ We also do ‘Welcome Home’ into ‘Invisible Guests,’ which are really intense songs to play back-to-back.”
Andy emphasized that revisiting these old solos is no easy task:
“You really have to be focused when you play those leads. They’re just crazy, the things we came up with in the ’80s.”
Now performing those songs as a more seasoned musician, Andy admitted it’s a significant challenge. When asked which techniques were the hardest to revisit, he explained:
“You have to be an acrobat to play some of those solos. They’re just very intense and fast and all over the neck. Some whammy bar things. They’re not laid-back, bluesy solos at all. You’ve got to keep your tongue in your mouth to be able to pull it off.”
Much has changed in the music landscape since the 1980s. While technical virtuosity is still valued, today’s audiences often place greater emphasis on musical feel and emotional connection. Andy LaRocque is a prime example of a guitarist who transitioned from focusing on speed to emphasizing melody as a cornerstone of his lead playing.
Reflecting on how his mindset has shifted, Andy said:
“Back then, you thought you had to compete with all the other guys, in a weird way. You were listening to Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert — all kinds of crazy-fast players. And you tried to keep up with them.”
He continued:
“Over the years, though, you start to feel more relaxed and confident with everything. It doesn’t have to be 120 mph. Parts of it can be fast and flashy, but a basic melodic structure is so much more important to me now than it was back then.”
Andy LaRocque’s journey highlights a broader artistic truth: speed and technique can dazzle, but lasting impact often comes from emotion, expression, and strong melodic structure.
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