Andy LaRocque

Andy LaRocque (born Anders Allhage, 29 November 1962) is a Swedish guitarist, songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of the heavy metal band King Diamond since 1985.

Andy LaRocque
LaRocque in 2013
LaRocque in 2013
Background information
Birth nameAnders Allhage
Born (1962-11-29) 29 November 1962
Gothenburg, Sweden
GenresHeavy metal, death metal, thrash metal, melodic death metal, black metal, neoclassical metal
Occupation(s)Musician, record producer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, keyboards
Member ofKing Diamond

Biography

LaRocque started in the Swedish hard rock band Swedish Beauty, which later changed its name to Swedish Erotica.[1] He also played on the Death album Individual Thought Patterns[2] and the IllWill album Evilution, along with former members of Mercyful Fate.[1] He can be heard on other albums as well, such as Falconer's Chapters from a Vale Forlorn, where he performed lead guitars on the song "Busted to the Floor".[3]

LaRocque contributed a guitar solo to the track "Cold" on the album Slaughter of the Soul by Swedish melodic death metal group At the Gates. Producer Fredrik Nordström was responsible for the idea, and telephoned LaRocque.[4] At the Gates' guitarist Anders Björler gave LaRocque an audio cassette recording of the song. The tape played at the wrong speed at LaRocque's house, so LaRocque had to transcribe the recording.[4] Two days after receiving the cassette, LaRocque laid down a guitar solo for the song within half an hour. Björler described the solo as "great" and in a November 2007 interview admitted he still couldn't play the solo "properly".[4]

LaRocque opened a studio called the "Los Angered Recordings" in Angered, Sweden in 1995, where he produced and recorded albums for many bands. In 2007, he moved the studio to Varberg and renamed it "Sonic Train Studios" where he continues to record and produce for various rock and heavy metal bands.[5]

He is known for his signature playing style which incorporates neoclassical elements, using exotic scales such as harmonic minor, phrygian dominant, and diminished minor. His extended theory knowledge enables him to mix these scales with others such as the blues scale and melodic minor. He has a distinct guitar tone for his solos, and often incorporates layers of harmonies over his runs and phrasing. He frequently uses a mixture of classically-flavored arpeggio sequences and alternate picked runs mixed with melodic lines to create his signature style.[1]

LaRocque was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2007.[6] He is regularly listed as among the best or most underrated guitarists in heavy metal.[7][8] He cites Michael Schenker and Randy Rhoads as major influences. He also likes Steve Vai and Tony Iommi, and was impressed by the friendliness of Chuck Schuldiner when he recorded Individual Thought Patterns with him.[9]

Discography
LaRoque with King Diamond at Hellfest 2016

With King Diamond

With Death

With IllWill
  • Evilution (1999)

As guest musician

As producer

Andy LaRocque owns Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden. The notable bands which recorded in Sonic Train Studios include:

References
  1. Catania, Andrew (8 September 2016). "Interview with Andy LaRocque – King Diamond's Main Shredder". All That Shreds. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  2. Lee, Cosmo (13 December 2006). "Death – Individual Thought Patterns". Invisible Oranges. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  3. Krannila, Ville (12 March 2018). "Andy LaRocque Interview". K.K. Downing's Steel Mill. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  4. Morgan, Anthony (November 2007). ""The Flames of the End"? – Guitarist Anders Björler wishes to pen the final chapter in the glorious history of Swedish legends at the Gates". Lucem Fero. Archived from the original on 6 February 2008. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
  5. "Andy LaRocque - All Aboard the Sonic Train". Backstage Auctions. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  6. "Artist: Andy LaRocque". Recording Academy: Grammy Awards. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  7. DiVita, Joe (22 March 2018). "30 Most Underrated Hard Rock + Metal Guitarists". Loudwire. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  8. "11 Most Criminally Underrated Metal Guitarists". Loudwire. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  9. Krannila, Ville (7 May 2008). "Andy LaRocque from King Diamond". K.K. Downing's Steel Mill. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
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