"Them"
King Diamond · 1988
43 min · 12 tracks · heavy metal
A chilling blend of theatrical storytelling and heavy metal instrumentation that immerses listeners in a dark, haunting narrative.
Top tracks — play these first
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Welcome Home — This track stands out with its memorable chorus and compelling narrative about a haunted homecoming, encapsulating the album's core themes of madness and familial ties.
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The Invisible Guests — In this song, the interplay between haunting melodies and sinister lyrics creates an unsettling atmosphere reflecting the concept of unseen entities impacting one's life.
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The Accusation Chair — The song features an intense buildup that parallels the emotional turmoil of its protagonist, making it a pivotal moment in the album's dramatic arc.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's strong narrative and theatrical elements set it apart in heavy metal, while its cohesive structure enhances its impact.
What we noticed
- The album features a narrative structure where each track contributes to an overarching story, with dialogue interludes enhancing the theatricality.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- theatrical storytelling with intensity
- wave-like pacing that captivates
- dark narratives for immersive listening
- haunting melodies that linger
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks
- want instant gratification from music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1988, 'Them' was King Diamond's fourth studio album and marked a significant moment in his career as it followed the successful 'Abigail'. The album showcased Diamond's commitment to horror-themed narratives, firmly establishing his reputation as a master of conceptual storytelling within metal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mercyful Fate· Ghost· Iced Earth
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Out From the Asylum 1:44
- 2 Welcome Home 4:36
- 3 The Invisible Guests 5:04
- 4 Tea 5:15
- 5 Mother’s Getting Weaker 4:02
- 6 Bye, Bye, Missy 5:08
- 7 A Broken Spell 4:08
- 8 The Accusation Chair 4:21
- 9 “Them” 1:57
- 10 Twilight Symphony 4:08
- 11 Coming Home 1:12
- 12 Phone Call 1:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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