Born Kim Bendix Petersen, in Copenhagen, Denmark, he is a Grammy Award nominated heavy metal musician. He is known for his extensive vocal range, and for the mistery that surrounded his character within the extreme metal scene. He's been the founder and frontman for both Mercyful Fate and King Diamond band. He was one of the first metal singers to profess to be a practicing Satanist, at least in his early career. He has always used face painting in his live performances, which have been characterized and appreciated by fans for their grand-guignol, horror and blasphemous style.