LEX LEGION — the new band formed by KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque alongside three former bandmates — has announced their self-titled debut album for June 2026, to be released via MNRK Music Group. The debut single "Sleep Eternally" is now available with an official music video directed by Patric Ullaeus (known for his work with NIGHTWISH, DIMMU BORGIR, and ARCH ENEMY); second single "Gypsy Tears" will follow shortly.
The lineup is a remarkable assemblage: La Rocque (guitar), Mikkey Dee (drums — also legendary from MOTÖRHEAD), Pete Blakk (guitar), and Hal Patino (bass) reunite four-fifths of KING DIAMOND's definitive late-'80s lineup. Completing the group is vocalist Nils K. Rue, best known as the frontman of Norwegian progressive metal act PAGAN'S MIND.
La Rocque was emphatic about the creative independence of the project. "It's no leftovers from the King Diamond songwriting — it's two very different and separate things," he stressed in a recent interview. The band's origins date back to 2008, when La Rocque and Blakk began collaborating, though serious momentum gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic years.
With Mikkey Dee's powerhouse drumming, La Rocque's razor-sharp riffs, and Rue's commanding vocals, LEX LEGION promises to be one of the most anticipated heavy metal debuts of 2026. Further album details and the complete tracklist are expected soon.