You'll either love or hate the phantom screech of King Diamond, but one thing you can't knock on this concept album is the musicianship. Forget nice, catchy metal, this is dark, gothic and tight musicianship, a real forest of complex threads, branches and roots that tie this ominous tale together. When I first heard this album I was on the fence, at times it dwelt too much in the cheesy side of horror metal, but the sincerity is that Mr Diamond likes to tell a grim tale with every detail, and if that concerns having a cup of tea, then that's what he'll sing about...and then there's the screeching vocal which sends a shudder but may also have you clutching your eyes, but if you want to create a theatrical, Halloween atmosphere then 'Them' is perfect for you. The way King Diamond creates his characters and plays out his horror story is something akin to 'Psycho' the musical...if there ever was one...at times disturbing, very occult and as a metal record well polished and efficiently delivered. Andy La Rocque and Pete Blakk are wizards on guitars and the drums of Mikky Dee take this to a new level. It's not really thrash, but somehow King Diamond carves his own niche, a black streak of venom that provides a story as well as a solid, professional and at times masterful display of heavy metal. King Diamond was always one of the true innovators from his Mercyful Fate days, and although his style remains an acquired taste, his records appeal because of their darkness even if at times cheesiness creeps in and bathes the gothic menace in an untimely light.
7.5/10
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