King Diamond Welcomes Gus G. as New Guitarist Ahead of New Music

The Riff Collective
Jul 27
2 min read

After the recent departure of original guitarist Andy LaRocque from King Diamond's touring lineup, the legendary Danish heavy metal icon has officially unveiled his replacement—and it's one of the biggest names in modern metal guitar.

Gus G., best known as the founder of Firewind and former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, has joined King Diamond as a full-time member. According to the band, he will compose, record and tour with the group going forward, opening an exciting new chapter for one of heavy metal's most influential acts.

Despite the lineup change, King Diamond made it clear that Andy LaRocque's legacy remains untouchable. The band paid tribute to his extraordinary four decades of service, thanking him for leaving "a permanent and irreplaceable mark" on both the band's history and heavy metal itself.

King Diamond himself commented:

"It's a big honour for me to welcome Gus G. as our new guitarist. Gus will still continue with all his current projects, Firewind, his solo project and more. No restrictions, just careful planning. We are already working together and I simply can't wait for you to hear all the new King Diamond music with him playing guitar on it. Stay Heavy!"

For Gus G., the appointment adds another milestone to an already remarkable career. The Greek guitarist rose to prominence through Firewind before becoming Ozzy Osbourne's lead guitarist between 2009 and 2017, performing on the Grammy-nominated album Scream. Alongside his successful solo career, he has collaborated with artists including Bruce Dickinson, Arch Enemy, Doro Pesch and In This Moment, earning a reputation as one of metal's finest guitarists.

The announcement also confirms that King Diamond and Gus G. are already writing new material together. The band's long-awaited Horror Trilogy remains in development following the release of recent singles "Electro Therapy" and "Spider Lilly", with the first chapter titled Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920. Fans can now expect the next era of King Diamond to feature Gus G.'s unmistakable guitar work.

With a refreshed lineup and new music on the horizon, one of heavy metal's most iconic names looks ready to begin another unforgettable chapter.

King Diamond Line-up