Gus G. knows exactly how big a job he has just taken on — and he is not pretending otherwise. Days after being named Andy La Rocque‘s replacement in King Diamond, the Greek guitarist has spoken directly to the band’s fans, acknowledging the shock of the change while making clear how much the role means to him.
The 45-year-old Firewind founder and former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist posted a video message on Sunday, July 26 and he said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth):
“Hey, all. Gus here. I just want to make a quick video to talk about the news the past couple of days. As you might have seen, I’m the new guitar player in King Diamond‘s band. And my phone has been blowing up with messages and calls and texts from friends and fans, and on socials, of course, everywhere. So I just wanna send a shout-out and thank you all for the messages of love, encouragement, support. It means a lot.”
He went on to address the elephant in the room — that he is stepping in for one of metal’s most respected guitarists:
“I wanna thank the King for inviting me to his band and for choosing me. It’s a big, big honor for me. I’m a fan just like you guys. I understand there might be some concern. It’s a shock. I understand that. Andy La Rocque is a legend. And it’s gonna be an honor stepping into his shoes. He’s a buddy of mine, and he even sent me a message wishing me well. And I’m gonna bring my own vibe into it and, of course, honoring the music, which I’m so excited about playing on stage for you all. And I’m also equally excited, if not more, about creating new music together with the King and the band and finally get this album going. So there’s a lot of cool things down the line. And just stay tuned, man, and exciting times ahead. See you all soon.”
The most significant part of Gus G.‘s message may be his line about “finally get this album going.” King Diamond has spent years working toward a horror concept trilogy, beginning with the long-delayed Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920, a project La Rocque had been steering as recently as this spring. His sudden departure had put the status of that material in doubt — and Gus G. confirming he is already at work on new music with the band suggests the record is very much still moving forward.
What comes through from both sides is how amicably this happened. Gus G. revealed that La Rocque, whom he calls a friend, personally reached out to wish him well in the gig, an unusually gracious gesture from an outgoing member toward his own replacement.
That matches the tone King Diamond struck when announcing the change on Friday, July 24. The band said:
“After 40 years King Diamond the band and Andy La Rocque have mutually decided to part ways.”
“Looking back, we do so with nothing but pride, gratitude, and respect for everything we have achieved together.”
“All the countless memories we have created along the way are forever.”
“Our friendship and respect for each other will always remain the same, and we all sincerely wish each other the absolute best for the future!”
The scale of the change is hard to overstate. La Rocque co-founded King Diamond from the ashes of Mercyful Fate in 1985 and played on all 13 of the band’s studio albums, producing most of them as well — making him, aside from the singer himself, the defining creative force in the band’s sound for four decades.
Gus G., born Konstantinos Karamitroudis in Thessaloniki, brings his own considerable pedigree. He founded Firewind in 1998 and led the band through ten albums, spent eight years as Ozzy Osbourne‘s guitarist, appearing on 2010’s Grammy-nominated Scream, and has released six solo records. He joins King Diamond as a full member, writing, recording and touring going forward, while continuing his existing projects.
La Rocque, meanwhile, has already moved on to Lex Legion, a new band built largely from King Diamond‘s celebrated late-’80s lineup, which recently released its self-titled debut through MNRK Music Group.
