The Jonah
King Diamond · Fatal Portrait [1986]
The book seemed unreal
For seven years in an ancient rhyme
The fate of a girl was sealed"
In the attic I was searching by the moonlight
What would I find
Old and grey from dust, I felt it staring back
Oh that book
Yellow pages caught my eyes, so unreal
Through the dust of time
In an ancient rhyme, the truth had been sealed
On a broken shelf it would all be revealed
It had been there for years
And no one ever knew
Now break the spell and free the girl
From the candle of fate
Look at the flame and say the rhyme
The end is near, no more pain, ah you're free!
As the candle melts away the spirit of the candle girl
Emerges from the flame, she doesn't seem the same
With a smile on her face she starts to speak:
"Hear My Story"
The Jonah
King Diamond's 'The Jonah' stands as a defining track from the 1986 album Fatal Portrait, showcasing the Swedish heavy metal icon's mastery of theatrical doom metal. Recorded during a pivotal era when Diamond was refining his signature blend of operatic vocals and crushing riffs, the song exemplifies the dark, gothic atmosphere that would characterize his discography for decades. As a staple of his early work, the recording demonstrates his ability to craft haunting melodies that evoke biblical imagery and existential dread, cementing his status as a pioneer of the genre. The track remains a powerful representation of King Diamond's unique ability to merge heavy instrumentation with dramatic vocal delivery, influencing countless artists who followed in his wake.