For a lot of KING DIAMOND fans, patience stopped being a virtue years ago. At some point, anticipation turns into frustration, and the latest comments from guitarist Andy La Rocque feel like another reminder that nobody outside the band really knows when Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920 is finally going to arrive.
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Here's the reality: this album has become one of the longest-running "it's coming soon" stories in metal. What started years ago as The Institute evolved into Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920, and fans have been hearing updates, timelines, projections, and release hopes for what feels like forever.
In a new interview, La Rocque essentially put the ball in King Diamond's court when asked when fans can expect the record. According to Andy, he delivered multiple songs years ago, three were selected for the album, and the band is now waiting for King Diamond to complete his portion of the material. The remaining songs are reportedly still being finished and arranged.
That's where this story gets interesting.
This isn't a band that lacks material. By La Rocque's own account, demos and song ideas have existed for years. Multiple tracks have already been discussed publicly, and songs like "Spider Lilly" have even been performed live. Yet the finish line still seems just out of reach.
And while nobody should want a rushed KING DIAMOND album, fans are starting to ask a fair question:
How many more release windows can come and go before excitement starts turning into skepticism?
Remember, this project was originally expected years ago. Since then, fans have watched release targets shift repeatedly while new updates continue to sound remarkably similar to the ones that came before them.
To be fair, King Diamond has repeatedly stated that he wants this record to be the best material he's ever released. That's an admirable goal. The problem is that expectations grow larger with every delay. Every extra year raises the bar higher.
Quick Question For The Diehards
At what point does "perfectionism" become a problem?
Fans are incredibly loyal, but even the most dedicated supporters eventually want something tangible beyond another status update.
That's especially true when KING DIAMOND has not released a full studio album since Give Me Your Soul... Please back in 2007. The anticipation surrounding Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920 is enormous because it isn't just another release—it's one of the most anticipated comeback albums in modern heavy metal.
What Happens Next?
The optimistic view is simple: King Diamond finishes his material, the band records the remaining parts, and fans finally get the album they've been promised.
The pessimistic view?
Metal fans have heard variations of this same update for years.
Either way, the pressure is building. When Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920 finally arrives, it won't just need to be good.
It will need to justify nearly a decade of anticipation.
And that's a brutal standard for any album to meet.
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POLL
Has the wait for KING DIAMOND's new album gone on too long?
A) Yes — the constant delays are hurting the hype
B) No — King Diamond has earned the right to take as long as he wants
C) I won't believe the album exists until it's actually released
