Great Metal EP’s of 1985: King Diamond- No Presents For Christmas

I had only just discovered Mercyful Fate in 1985, so I was a little saddened to hear that they had broken up that year. Months later, sadness turned to joy when I was looking at a catalog for metal albums and saw that former lead singer, King Diamond, had what I thought was a new album out. It turned out that “No Presents For Christmas” was not an album at all but only a single with a b-side. That didn’t keep me from getting it.

These days, the intro of the main song, “No Presents For Christmas,” would be seen as predictable. It starts with cheery Christmas music, including “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and then suddenly changes to the power riffs I had identified with Mercyful Fate, guitar solo included. Then come the unmistakable vocals of King Diamond singing about how there will be no presents this Christmas. I do like the line, “Tom and Jerry drinking sherry.” Midway through the song, a blinding guitar solo is played and midway through that, a few notes of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” played on the guitar before the solo continues and finishes. Near the end of the song, we are treated to a bit of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” before the final line, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” before the explosive ending.

The b-side, “Charon” is a classic Mercyful Fate sounding tune which is about the mythological boatman on the River Styx. Again, King Diamond’s vocals are in top form as he sings, “Take you across the river.” Of course, there are some good guitar riffs and a classical guitar solo to be had on the song. King Diamond certainly got some good musicians to play with him for these two songs.

Track Listing:

1. No Presents for Christmas
2. Charon

King Diamond

King Diamond- lead vocals

Michael Denner- guitar

Andy La Rocque- guitar

Timi Hansen- bass

Mikkey Dee- drums

“No Presents For Christmas” would be King Diamond’s introduction as a solo artists to the metal world. It might only have been a single but it got my attention and had me ready to listen to what he would put out in the years to come.

Next post: Dio- Sacred Heart

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rock-Roll-Children-Michael-Lefevre/dp/1609763556/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=michael+d+lefevre&qid=1564924309&s=gateway&sr=8-1