King Diamond - Abigail II:  The Revenge
2002 Metal Blade

Track Listing:
1.  Spare This Life
2.  The Storm
3.  Mansion In Sorrow
4.  Miriam
5.  Little One
6.  Slippery Stairs
7.  The Crypt
8.  Broken Glass
9.  More Than Pain
10. The Wheelchair
11. Spirits
12. Mommy
13. Sorry Dear 

Line-Up:
Vocals:  King Diamond
Guitars:  Andy Larocque, Mike Weed
Bass:  Hal Patino
Drums:  Matt Thompson

Website:  www.covenworldwide.org

Uncle Meat's Rating:  B-
Average Album Rating:  B-

Uncle Meat's Review:
I'm all for a new King Diamond album.  Hell, an E.P. would have been fine, but a sequel?  A sequel to an album fifteen years old?  I think you can see where I am headed with this.  The idea itself is intriguing:  What happened after Abigail?  I just assumed to leave it alone. 

You have to hand it to the King, he never does anything half-assed.  The story line is compelling and listening to it the story just pulls the listener in and you have to know what happens next.  The group of musicians King has assembled for this record is incredible, the playing here is top-notch.  Even if you find King Diamond albums to be musically poor with the rock/NWOBHM approach it's still worth a listen, at least for the King fan.

As far as the song themselves go, about 3/4's are good to great.  Setting aside the musical intro and outro the album doesn't hit a road bump until "Little One" (check out "Miriam" at around the three minute mark for an example of what these guys are capable of).  King's vocals, love or hate them, are an integral part of the songs and here he doesn't disappoint.  The decreasing reliance on keyboards is extremely welcomed.

Not in the same league as Abigail, but few albums are.
Uncle Meat's Rating:  B-

Also be sure to read:
King Diamond - Abigail by Uncle Meat
King Diamond - The Puppet Master by Uncle Meat
King Diamond - The Puppet Master by Horatio
Mercyful Fate - Don't Break The Oath by Uncle Meat
Mercyful Fate - In The Shadows by Uncle Meat
Mercyful Fate - The Beginning by Uncle Meat