Episode 34: Andy LaRocque & Pete Blakk (King Diamond, Lex Legion)

Though it may seem that Lex Legion took the metal world by storm a few months ago by announcing their debut album in late March, the project boasting four of the five members of the classic late 1980s King Diamond lineup that created Them and Conspiracy had been in the works for much longer than that.   According to guitarists Andy LaRocque, King’s legendary axeman for more than 40 years, and Pete Blakk, a mainstay for the aforementioned albums plus The Eye, the roots of Lex Legion stretch back to 2021, with some of the demos and riffs even predating that by years.  Now, after meticulously refining their brand of classic ‘80s inspired heavy metal (and finding a singer who fit the material), the group is set to deliver their debut album this Friday, June 12th through MNRK Music.Rounding out this classic lineup are Mikkey Dee on drums, who famously played drums for King before moving on to Motorhead and Scorpions, Hal Patino from the same incredible run of albums as Pete, and lead singer Nils K. Rue from Pagan’s Mind, who worked with Andy on previous musical endeavor years prior.  Mikkey, Pete, and Andy have a long history together stretching back to the early 1980s Gothenburg scene, before they all joined King Diamond’s band in Copenhagen at different points as the decade progressed.  Though they would eventually go their separate ways in the early 1990s, they remained in close contact.  When Pete played some demos of new material he’d been writing for Mikkey, he suggested they call Andy to see if he was interested in playing, just as he had decades prior when King Diamond was in need of a guitarist.  The result is what Lex Legion is prepared to unleash upon the world with the eponymous debut. Ahead of its release, I had a chance to sit down with Andy and Pete to discuss the record and many other topics, including:how the band formed, why the project has been in the works for longer than the metal world is aware of, and the strategy behind waiting until the album was completed to announce the band’s existence.the writing process the band used to create the album, the throwback sound the group has created, the guitar dynamic between Andy and Pete, and why Nils was the perfect singer for the group.the band’s appearance and listening party at Sweden Rock Festival, the announcement of a show in three members’ hometown of Gothenburg for November of this year, the anticipated setlist including two unreleased Lex Legion songs and some surprises, and a discussion of the early Gothenburg scene prior to the advent of melodic death metal. a shoutout for Astroqueen’s Into Submission which was produced at Andy’s Sonic Train Studios and an update on their new record, a brief discussion of Rainbow, and Andy’s experience working with Chuck Schuldiner on Death’s Individual Thought Patterns.Pete’s reflections on being asked to join the band again for Them and Conspiracy after declining earlier, and reflections on being able to reunite and play together again after so many years apart.Andy and Pete were a pleasure to speak with and very generous with their thoughtful responses and time.  Though many years have passed since their time on stage together, it’s evident in speaking with both that they’re enjoying creating new music together again after over 35 years since their time in King Diamond.  As the guitar duo said themselves, the friendships they’ve maintained with Mikkey and Hal over the years feel as if they haven’t skipped a beat, making the same old jokes as always while creating incredible music together.  Fans worldwide should be thankful that these stars aligned to rejuvenate a classic style of metal that is sorely missed in the current heavy music landscape. Enjoy!