Friday night (8th) at Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater brought metal royalty to town, as King Diamond headlined an epic evening featuring heavy metal masters Night Demon and thrash legends Overkill. On the unseasonably warm November evening, fans were treated to a show brimming with iconic metal moments.
Kicking things off, Night Demon (Ventura, CA) returned to Wisconsin for the third time this year, having also played at Milwaukee Metal Fest in May and Blades of Steel (Madison, WI) in August. They took the stage with electrifying energy, proving that classic heavy metal is alive and well. With frontman Jarvis Leatherby leading the charge, the band delivered a set filled with heavy riffs and show-stopping guitar moves, including songs like “Screams in the Night” and “The Chalice,” where they even had a guest character – a skeleton holding a chalice of blood. Though the crowd stayed relatively still, they were clearly engaged, raising horns and cheering with appreciation for Night Demon’s theatrical, action-packed performance.
Night Demon
Photo Credit: Mar Morannon
Next up, Overkill took a more reserved approach to the stage moves while still embodying the raw, thrashy aggression they’ve honed since the ’80s. The Jersey veterans gave fans a dose of classics and newer material, from 1985’s Rotten to the Core to 2023’s Scorched, sticking to a no-frills delivery. But without the mosh pits or typical thrash mayhem, the audience response felt restrained, maybe due to the venue standards or maybe a commentary on how none of us are getting any younger. Nevertheless, Overkill’s tight musicianship and signature grit were undeniably impactful.
Overkill
Photo Credit: Mar Morannon
Finally, the King himself took the stage, returning to Milwaukee for the first time in nearly ten years. King Diamond’s set was pure dark theatricality, a heavy metal horror show packed with dolls, eerie characters, and extravagant costumes. Joined by black metal artist Myrkur on backing vocals, King Diamond breathed new life into haunting favorites like “A Mansion in Darkness,” “Sleepless Nights,“ and an encore of the iconic “Abigail.“ The setlist spanned the band’s vast catalog, thrilling fans with a mix of classic and newer tracks. The audience, though still surprisingly subdued, finally broke out into a small mosh pit, embracing the gothic spectacle and dark magic of the night.
For fans of King Diamond, this Milwaukee show delivered a deeply theatrical journey through his storied discography. While the energy in the room might not have hit the fever pitch, the performances from all three bands were unmissable, capturing the essence of heavy metal in all its grim, electrifying glory.
King Diamond
Photo Credit: Mar Morannon
