King Diamond‘s eponymous band has replaced longtime guitarist Andy LaRoque with former Ozzy Osbourne axeman Gus G.

Gus G will take over writing and playing on a permanent basis, including work on King Diamond’s upcoming new trilogy of concept albums.

King Diamond said, “It’s a big honor for me to welcome Gus G. as our new guitarist. Gus will still continue with all his current projects, Firewind, solo project, etc. No restrictions, just careful planning. We are already working with Gus and I simply can’t wait for you to hear all the new KING DIAMOND music with him playing guitar on it! STAY HEAVY — King.”

The band cited in a statement their “deepest gratitude and utmost respect” for LaRoque, noting his tenure in the band “has left a permanent and irreplaceable mark on the band’s legacy and on heavy metal as a whole. Andy’s musicianship, dedication, and artistry have been an essential part of what makes this band what it is, and that will never be forgotten.”

The news comes as a shock, given both LaRoque’s long tenure in the band as the sole other consistent member across the decades as well as him giving comments on the as-yet unreleased new King Diamond album Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920 just last month. LaRoque has been the lead guitarist since the band’s inception in 1985, serving for over 40 years and performing on 12 studio albums. He is also currently the lead guitarist of Lex Legion alongside fellow King Diamond alumni Mikkey Dee, Pete Blakk, and Hal Patino.

Gus G formed power metal band Firewind in 1998. He was hired by Ozzy Osbourne in 2009 to replace Zakk Wylde, and worked with Ozzy until 2017, when Osbourne announced a farewell tour reuniting him with Wylde.

King Diamond’s most recent activity was the release of “Spider Lilly” in 2024, their first song in five years following the standalone single “Masquerade of Madness,” itself the first new music from the band since 2007’s Give Me Your Soul… Please.