The Danish Arts Foundation has awarded its prestigious lifelong honorary grant to heavy metal icon King Diamond, recognizing his decades-long contribution to music and visual storytelling. The grant, given to only five artists annually, includes a yearly stipend of up to 189,000 Danish Krona (approximately $26,000), and is reserved for creatives who have “positioned themselves decisively as artists” through their body of work.
Born Kim Bendix Petersen, King Diamond is best known as the frontman of MERCYFUL FATE and his eponymous solo band. With a piercing falsetto, theatrical stagecraft, and a signature occult aesthetic, he has carved out a singular space in the global metal scene—one that the Foundation describes as “a dark and alluring universe” that continues to grow in power and mythology.
“He is the man behind some of the most unique works in metal history – both as the frontman of MERCYFUL FATE and with his own band, also called KING DIAMOND. the Foundation wrote in its official statement. “With his music, he put Denmark on the metal world map as early as the 80s.”
“On stage, he transforms the concert into a dark theater – a ritual where gothic tales, gruesome characters and symbol-filled scenography merge. His characteristic ‘corpse paint’ and his microphone stand, an inverted cross made of human bones, make him an iconic figure.
“King Diamond‘s music is more than just metal – each album is a chapter in a larger horror opera. He is known for creating conceptual works with overarching stories where fate, death and the supernatural go hand in hand. It’s gothic horror romance in metal form, delivered with technical precision and theatrical grandeur.
“For decades, he has stood as a cult figure, a one-man show in a genre of icons. With uncompromising integrity and artistic courage, King Diamond has created a dark and alluring universe that has captivated fans around the world – and continues to grow in power and mythology.
“On this basis, Kim Bendix Petersen (King Diamond) is nominated for the Danish Arts Foundation’s honorary award.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.